Holy Week In Seville, Spain

Holy Week In Seville, Spain

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Holy Week is called Semana Santa in Spanish and it is celebrated all over Spain but it is celebrated with the most circumstance in Andaluca. It is most famous in the town of Seville together with the Feria de Abril which follows after two weeks

Semana Santa is celebrated during the week that leads up to the Easter weekend. It is comprised of processions of "pasos" or floats that are carried by the "costaleros" or bearers and then followed by hundred of penitents or "nazarenos". Many of these religious floats are works of art are antiques that can be dated back as far as the seventeenth century. These "pasos" depict scenes from the events that lead up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many flowers and candles decorate the beautiful pasos. Thousands of people waiting for the procession line the streets and each procession that will go around a route that has been set around the city. There are 50 or more cofradias or brotherhoods that maintains 2 floats so the length of the procession can become very long and can take hours to get them from the parish where they came from and back.

This is a once in a lifetime event for the "costaleros" or bearers and it is a great honor for them to be able to carry their pasos. Many flowers and candles decorate the beautiful pasos. The floats can weigh more than 2000 kilograms that's why this is a male dominated activity and the men practice for a few months before the big event.

Smaller and lighter floats are carried by females in small towns but there are a few women who do take part in the regular Semana Santa celebrations of Seville, Granada, Malag, Huelva, and Cordoba. The floats are followed by penitents wearing shrouds that cover them entirely from head to foot. Their hoods cover the entire head and are pointed in shape to disguise their faces and obscure their height. This is the way to ensure that their identities will only be known to God. A very concrete and clear way of showing their devotion to the Roman Catholic Faith is through this festival.

Do not forget to also try Spain's best contribution to the cuilinary world, the iberian or acorn cured hams and jamon serrano. You have never been to Spain if you have not tried any of these hams.


About the Author:
As a writer I get my articles in various internet sites, cook books, travel books, encyclopedias, and I look deep into my family tradition in order for me to write something really interesting. http://www.jamondetrujillo.com



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