Semana Santa...Holy Week in Spain

What an amazing spectacle...all over Spain, huge holy statues are carried through the streets...all week long there  are different brotherhoods - or penitents - who form processions through town to the beat of drums and sounds of  trumpets.   Although the conical hats worn can be off-putting to Americans,  the form actually dates from the Middle Ages when "believers" had to disguise themselves or face the Inquisition.   Everyone participates...young and old alike.  Most parades begin around 8:30pm and last well into the night when the statues are finally delivered to a predetermined church...then, the parties begin !

preparations begin...

banners decorate balconies

Palm Sunday...

getting ready for the procession

Jesus on Palm Sunday

the statue of Mary follows

the procession continues through town...Cuenca, Spain

little children...even babies in carriages are dressed up for the procession...

this depiction of the Last Supper is huge !

It's all very interesting...every brotherhood has its own colors and costumes...we can't wait to see the final Easter procession in Barcelona !