Experiencing Semana Santa in Spain is something that we’ll never forget. There was so much passion, emotion and a sense of something greater and bigger than all of us, bringing strangers together to commemorate Easter. I contemplated writing a full post about the experience, but felt that the pictures and video really speak for themselves, so without further adieu, here’s our experience of Semana Santa in Málaga, Spain, through images (and, as I can’t help but be a talker, some words)…

Musicians practice all year long for the event

Musicians practice all year long for the event

What is Semana Santa?

Semana Santa is a week-long event commemorating Easter. Officially commencing on Palm Sunday (the Sunday prior to Easter Sunday), the week is filled with religious processions, music and religious services. Having experienced Lent, Easter and Christmas in Spain, Semana Santa is definitely the most religious event of them all. Shops, cafes and restaurants are filled with Semana Santa-themed food and, one of our favourite treats, torrijas (which is like a decadent Spanish deep-fried version of French Toast, covered in cinnamon and sugar).

Some of the Semana Santa themed pastries on sale

Some of the Semana Santa themed pastries on sale

Each procession includes a unique and elaborately decorated paso (float). These pasos are adorned with candles, flowers, gold, silver and fine fabrics surrounding statues of Jesus or Mary. Each paso can weigh up to 2,000kgs. It takes 40 costaleros (men who carry the pasos) to carry one paso and many of them are hidden beneath the structure and fabric. The costaleros carry the weight of the paso on their shoulders and neck, with a special cushion, called un costal, to help bear the weight.

The processions last hours as they slowly march through the city streets

The processions last hours as they slowly march through the city streets

The costaleros practice walking and carrying the paso for months to ensure that the rhythm and speed of how they walk is perfect for the processions of Holy Week (so the statues appear to ‘glide’ along the road). Supporting a paso for a procession (which goes for over an hour through the streets) is not a simple task, so they sometimes have substitutes to swap throughout the procession. They are also navigated and directed by an overseer (called el Capataz). Seeing them navigate a tight corner is incredibly impressive!

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The nazarenos are an iconic image of Semana Santa and lead the procession. Men, women and children wear long robes and veils (called an antifaz) to cover their faces, under a tall, cone shaped hat (known as the capirote). Sadly, the KKK have ruined this imagery, but this attire was created so each nazareno can seem identical, anonymous and allow them to pray and express penitence in a humble way. La hermanidad is the name given to each ‘group’ or brotherhood of nazarenos.

Los Nazarenos marching the streets in silence

Los Nazarenos marching the streets in silence

Many nazarenos will carry long wax candles, to which children will often approach with a tin foil ball and try to collect the dripping wax to create a larger ball of multi-coloured wax as a souvenir from the week.

One of the children collecting their candle wax 'souvenir'

One of the children collecting their candle wax ‘souvenir’

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The processions are full of passion and emotion

During Semana Santa there are up to 8 different processions a day, complete with marching bands, singing, elaborate floats and silent walks. Crowds gather to watch and follow the procession through the streets of the city centre. The sounds of the  music, drums and ringing of bells from the processions fill the streets until the last procession of the day finishes at 2am.

What looks to be a fire hazard is simply stunning

What looks to be a fire hazard is simply stunning

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One of the Pasos up close

Viernes Santo (Good Friday) is very solemn, reflecting the sadness of Christ’s crucifixion. Some of these processions are done in silence, as a sign of repentance and reflection.

The solemn march on Viernes Santo

The solemn march on Viernes Santo

Every paso of Mary has her in mourning for the loss of her son. One of the most memorable parts of the week was hearing la saeta (a religious song of mourning) being sung acapella from the balcony into the streets. It was so passionate and stirring, stopping everyone in their tracks to listen.

One of the 'happier' floats from Easter Sunday

One of the less solemn floats from Semana Santa

On Domingo de Resurección (Easter Sunday), the processions are more colourful and lively, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. The music is brighter and happier, and the paso of Jesus is of him standing in glory. The paso we saw of Jesus on Domingo de Resurección had him made out of gold. Semana Santa also falls into the beginning of spring, so the days are beautiful and sunny, and the people spend more time socialising in the streets.

The colourful procession celebrating Christ's Resurrection for Easter Sunday

The colourful procession celebrating Christ’s Resurrection for Easter Sunday

Personally, I loved experiencing Semana Santa and found it to be so different to any Easter celebration I had experienced before, but many locals can’t stand the event, opting to go on a vacation during this time. Understandable, as the constant noise from the processions and crowds would be extremely annoying on a day-to-day basis throughout that week. Sevilla boasts to have the biggest and busiest Semana Santa in Spain (and possibly the world!), and I would love to compare it to what we experienced in Málaga one day.

Have you experienced Semana Santa in Spain (or other countries)? What were your impressions? Comment below!

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Land-Dwelling Mermaid, Hispanophile and travel addict. Kim-Ling one day hopes to convince Guy to build her a room for her huge shoe collection.

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