One of the most important and special times in Spain, without a doubt, has arrived this week. It is Easter Week, known in Spain as Semana Santa. The celebrations began last Sunday, on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and the festivities will continue until Easter Monday, Lunes de Pascua.

The Spanish treat Easter as a celebration of life itself, and it is amazing to see how the whole country comes alive, with festivities, parties, and a real passion for this cherished time of year. As a very Catholic country, Spain takes its Easter celebrations very seriously; this is a time for family, spirituality, remembrance and togetherness.

Holy Week in Seville, Spain. The procession is seen here crossing the Bridge of Triana.

Across the country, cities and towns have their own ways of celebrating Easter, as you can imagine the main cities of Spain have festivities of massive proportions (seen above in Seville) with processions, music, dance and enormous celebrations of life and culture. They are full of colour, vibrancy, religion.

Religious icons and symbols of faith are carried through the streets; the processions are extremely emotive and moving. These processions can go on for miles, beginning in the afternoon and ending in the early hours of the next day, and will take place almost each night of Easter week.

A passionate country…

If you are in Spain during Easter week, you must really take the opportunity to witness these processions and celebrations. Although be sure to plan in good time, most book almost a year in advance to be in the cities to witness the festivities!

Happy Easter to all, enjoy the festivities and celebrate like the Spanish, wherever you are.

Joanne, Your Place in Spain