Granada’s Semana Santa gained Worldwide curiosity standing in 2009. Easter has a particular significance in Andalusia and there are numerous traditions surrounding Holy week. The normal Semana Santa processions entice big crowds significantly in Seville, Malaga and Granada. The seasonal bakes are additionally value looking for out too.
Throughout Easter it´s unimaginable to disregard the fervor with which the completely different teams put together for this week yearly. Many prepare and put together for the processions for months. Straight after Christmas has g, the ´cofradias´ begin to put together the teams and resolve who will probably be by which place.
Easter 2024
- Wednesday twenty seventh March 2024- Very busy after 2pm
- Thursday twenty eighth March 2024 – Very busy all day
- Friday twenty ninth March 2024 – Very busy all day
- Saturday thirtieth March 2024 – Busy however extra manageable
Easter Holidays in Granada are Thursday twenty eighth + Friday twenty ninth March 2024
You will have already seen Easter traditions in Spain. Nonetheless chances are you’ll not know what goes into the group or the function every participant performs within the procession. This information might assist in time for this years Semana Santa.
There are 32 cofradias (brotherhoods) annually participating within the Granada processions. The costaleros in every group or cofradia carry the float with the Virgin or Christ determine. They measure every individual and order by top. In order that the picket beams beneath the picket construction rests on their shoulders effectively. This course of is the ´igualá´. That is to make it possible for the float is totally straight. Additionally to test everybody beneath is ´comfy´ to bear the burden.
Easter Processions
A lot of the processions comprise of two pictures or figures, one among Christ and the opposite is the Virgin Mary. Though some (just like the Alhambra procession) solely have one picture. Every ´paso´ or float is embellished with contemporary flowers, silver and golden metalwork. Many have picket sculptures and spiritual imagery too. Relying on the scale and preparation of the float the burden varies.
There are completely different figures within the procession.
Costaleros Penitentes & Nazarenos
- Costaleros are beneath the big picket float with the determine on. The individuals who carry the Virgen or Christ determine and put on a sacking headpiece to guard their shoulders.
- Then you’ve gotten the camareras, the Virgen is accompanied by girls wearing black with the lace scarf and typical comb, mantilla and peineta.They typically carry giant candles too. On the finish of Semana Santa the lace scarf is white (or cream) colored within the processions after Resurrection. As they’re not in mourning.
- Then you’ve gotten the Penitentes or Nazarenos. These figures are completely lined and seen simply with there pointed hood, referred to as the caipirote. Simply small holes for his or her eyes are left within the materials. Generally chances are you’ll discover their toes if they’re strolling barefoot. Their robes are completely different colors relying on which brotherhood and church they belong to.
- Then there’s a marching band or typically two if the procession is an extended one. They play solemn music, marking the time and rhythm that the procession ought to transfer alongside to.
- On the very starting of every procession is the Cruz de Guia. A big cross made out of picket (typically Taracea, marquetery) or silver which pronounces that the procession is Christian.
- The Capataz is the pinnacle of the procession who coordinates the group. That is particularly necessary when turning corners or going into or beneath archways or doorways. This determine is often simply forward of the primary ´paso´ and wearing a go well with.
Insider tip:
Lookout for the ´paso´ the day earlier than the procession contained in the church.
You could get to see it shut up earlier than the processions.
The entire processions should go via the Carrera Oficial at their allotted time. In Granada that is alongside Calle Angel Ganivet, The Cathedral and Plaza Pasiegas. Which means that on the top of Easter week it’s virtually unimaginable to maneuver round these areas within the afternoons. Thursday and Friday are particularly busy days.
There are gates which the native police management to let the crowds transfer up and down these streets between one procession and one other. This implies that you could be get caught on one avenue till they permit you to stroll on. Bear this in thoughts when shifting across the metropolis at Eastertime. You will have to do errands within the morning. Additionally some companies are closed within the afternoons across the metropolis cent throughout Easter week.
There are some scrumptious truffles and pastries that are typical at Easter.
- Leche frita is a sq. formed dessert, minimize into items, and tastes much like the filling of a custard tart.
- Buñuelos are like doughnuts or candy fritters are additionally considerable presently of 12 months.
- Torrijas which is analogous to french toast is my private favorite. Made with scrumptious, thick slices of bread soaked in milk or crimson wine, lined in egg after which dusted in cinnamon and sugar. (photograph under)
- Hornaza may be seen in some villages round Granada. That is spherical candy bread with an exhausting boiled egg within the centre its referred to as Hornaza de Pascua. (seen above)
- Pestiños can be found all 12 months in the Alpujarra space however are very typical at Eastertime. These biscuit like tubes have a candy masking, typically with a splash of aniseed liqueur within the batter.
Orgiva Easter Honest
A terrific place for foodies at Easter is the honest Hecho en la Alpujarra which is held yearly in Orgiva. Right here plenty of regionally made truffles are on the market from the Alpujarra bakeries. This twenty seventh Version its on from twenty eighth to thirty first March 2024,
Meals throughout Easter week is mostly primarily based round Fish, primarily cod, Spinach and chard and chick peas. Historically meat isn´t consumed in conventional Catholic houses. This meals is named Menu de Vigilia and you may even see this provided in eating places across the metropolis.
So between procession and procession you get hungry. A fast drink and a tapa between every procession is a good concept.
One of the vital typical locations at Easter in Granada is Bar Leon.
- Bar Leon on Calle Pan (near Plaza Nueva) has a sit down restaurant with mid week menu and a busy bar for tapas and raciones. Well-liked with the cofradias the ceilings and partitions are lined with lots of of Easter posters. This has been in enterprise since 1959 and is common with the locals.
I nearly forgot, be very cautious strolling alongside the road round at Easter. Pavements and roads are coated with a positive movie of candle wax. Generally this layer is sort of invisible. It makes and roads on the procession routes slippery for days afterwards. (For vehicles, bikes, motorbikes and folks)
5 processions go away on Palm Sunday in Granada. Probably the most conventional is La Borriquilla (little donkey) this leaves from the church of Perpetuo Socorro and goes alongside Calle Elvira. Many kids take part on this procession, holding palm branches which have been handled and sculpted to kind ornamental shapes.
This begins round 4pm and ends at 10.30pm in Calle San Jeronimo.
The very best place to see it’s near the Puerta de Elvira because it leaves Gran Through and goes beneath the Archway.
Different processions on Palm Sunday are
- Santa Cena which leaves from Santo Domingo in Realejo at 6.00pm
- Las Maravillas at 6pm from the Church of San Pedro + San Pablo on Carrera del Darro heading to Plaza Nueva
- Despojado from leaves Marques de Mondujar alongside Calle Alhamar at 7pm.
- Borriquilla begins at 4pm and moved alongside Calle Elvira. It´s the preferred procession that begins off the Easter week.
5 processions go away on Easter Monday in Granada.
- Luz from Iglesia Corpus Christi in Zaidin. Look out for this at 4pm on the Puente Romano over the River with the Realejo/Albaicin within the background.
- Dolores leaves from the Church of San Pedro and San Pablo on Carrera del Darro at 6pm. This can be a picturesque procession because it wind alongside beside the river into Plaza Nueva.
- Rescate leaves the Magdalena Church in Puentezuelas at 5.30pm. Plaza Romanilla subsequent to the Cathedral above this can be a great place for pictures of this procession. (round 10 pm)
- Huerto from the Comendadoras de Santiago in Realejo. Leaves from Calle Santiago at 5pm and heads alongside Calle Molinos.
- San Agustin departs from Santo Angel Church in San Anton at 8.45pm.
4 processions go away on Easter Tuesday every Semana Santa in Granada.
Plaza Nueva se viste de gala cuando se abren las puertas de San Gil y Santa Ana: salen el Gran Poder y la Esperanza. el Vía Crucis y La Cañilla.
- La Lanzada from Los Dolores on Carretera de Armilla at 4.35pm. Strikes via the Zaidin and into the town. Look out for this at 6.30pm on the Puente Romano over the River with the Realejo/Albaicin within the background.
- Through Crucis leaves from San Juan de los Reyes within the decrease Albaicin at 5pm. Look out for this procession on Carrera del Darro under the Alhambra palace.
- Esperanza leaves at 6.40pm.
- Humildad leaves from Santo Domingo within the Realejo. Beginning at 7.25pm and ending simply after midnight
5 processions go away on Holy Wednesday a in Granada. Nonetheless the principle Semana Santa occasion is el Cristo de los Gitanos,
- Cristo de los Gitanos leaves Gran Through at 4.45pm and ends round 3.30am within the Sacromonte. There are a number of locations the place it´s good to see this procession though it is advisable get your spot early. Because the procession leaves the church and strikes alongside the Gran Through, the ´paso´ comes out of the church door. The ´costaleros´ under have to come back out by their knees to decrease it, in order that it doesn´t hit the archway because it leaves the door.
- At 10.20 pm the procession goes as much as the Albaicin on the Cuesta de Chapiz. This a part of the route is completed operating uphill. The thought is that because the hill is so steep, if completed faster it makes it simpler .
- After 11pm alongside the Camino de Sacromonte there are Saetas (conventional singing) bonfires and plenty of reverences to the procession.
Different Wednesday processions are:
- Estudiantes leaves the Church San Justo y Pastor on Calle Escuelas at 5pm and goes alongside to the Plaza de Trinidad.
- Penas leaves the San Matias Church on Calle San Matías at 7.20pm and ends round Midnight.
- Rosario leaves from Santo Domingo Church within the Realejo at 7.00pm.
- Nazareno leaves from Carmelitas Descalzas church on Calle Pavaneras within the Realejo at 8.15pm.
Of the 5 processions held on Thursday an important ones are within the Albaicin. The slender white washed streets create a particular ambiance for these processions. Look out for the Silencio, a procession which is carried out in complete silence. Streetlights are turned off alongside its route.
- Concepcion often known as La Concha regionally, leaves the Calle Zafra at 4.45pm and ends round midnight.
- Salesianos leaves at 4.30pm from the Zaidin barrio and ends round 2am. At 11.30pm because the procession crosses the Puente Romano bridge over the river is a good spot to see it.
- Aurora leaves from San Miguel Bajo within the Albaicin at 5.40pm and ends round 2am. The standard Albaicin streets make an incredible backdrop for this procession.
- Estrella leaves from San Cristobal Church within the Albaicin at 6pm and ends at 3am. This procession returning up the Cuesta de Alhabaca is wonderful to se earlier than it arrives at St Cristobal church.
- Silencio leaves at midnight from the Church of San Pedro and San Pablo on Carrera del Darro, this ends within the Cathedral at 3am. Under the Alhambra alongside the Carrera del Darro is a good spot for an Epic photograph of this silent procession.
There are 6 processions on Good Friday or Viernes Santo. One of the vital common with kids is La Soledad. On the head of the procession are some figures referred to as ´Chia´ kids shout out to them ´Toca Chia´ so that they play their trumpet.
One other procession I get pleasure from on Good Friday is the Entierro because it has illustration from completely different brotherhoods. So that you see Nazarenos with completely different colors in the identical parade.
Earlier than the Procession of El Cristo de los favores at 3pm. On the sq. at Campo del Principe there’s a particular service. Members ask for specifc needs to be granted. Well-known by locals, this custom attracts giant crowds.
Thursday processions:
- Soledad leaves Santo Domingo within the Realejo at 1.45pm.
- Ferroviarios leaves the Church of San Juan de Letran on Av Constitucion at 4.30pm and ends simply at midnight.
- Favores leaves from San Cecilio Church in Campo del Principe at 6.45pm.
- Escolapios leaves from Church iat 5.30pm and ends at 11pm
- Entierro leaves at 8.00pm from the Church of Santa Ana in Plaza Nueva and arrives again at 20 previous midnight.
On Saturday solely the Santa Maria de la Alhambra leaves the church and it has one float impressed within the Lions Courtyard of the Alhambra palace. The very best place to see that is on the Cuesta Gomerez because it passes via the archway coming down from the Alhambra into Plaza Nueva.
Within the Alhambra advanced you may solely be inside when the procession leaves in case you have a ticket to go to the monument for that afternoon.
it leaves at 6pm and returns simply after midnight.
The processions on Sunday are sooner than the opposite days. Beginning at 10am and ending mid afternoon, the colors are brighter and the music extra cheerful than the solemn days. The procession of the Dulce Nombre or Facundillos can be common with kids because the ring small handbells because the rejoice the resurrection. That is the final day of the Semana Santa
Sunday processions:
- Facundillos leaves from Santo Domingo Church at 10.30am and ends at 2.40pm.
- Resurreción leaves at 10.30am from the Zaidin barrio on Calle Primavera and ends round 5pm. At 4pm look out for this returning alongside stone bridge Puente Romano slightly below El Corte Inglés on the River.
- Resucitado leaves from Sagrario Church at 11.30am and ends at 3pm. Look out for this in Plaza Nueva at 12 midday.
- Be sure to go away the automotive behind and effectively parked. Semana Santa is a busy time.
- Streets are busy after 4pm on processions days
- Put on comfy sneakers for strolling. Nonslip soles are finest, to stroll alongside streets are coated in invisible slippery wax.
- Layers are finest. The evenings are cooler and afternoons heat and sunny.
- Plan your route forward of time to beat the crowds.
- Take your cell phone totally charged. (or a transportable charger/battery pack)
- Book your Alhambra visit 10 weeks earlier than or extra.
Journey Assets to Plan Your Go to
Listed here are a couple of sources that can assist you plan your go to to Granada: