Easter in Spain – Seville
Holy Week in Spain is the annual tribute of the Passion of Jesus Christ celebrated by Catholic religious brotherhoods and fraternities that perform penance processions, declared of International Tourist Interest, they take place on the streets of almost every Spanish city and town during the last week of Lent, the week immediately before Easter. These associations have their origins in the Middle Age, but also in the Baroque Period and in the last two centuries.
It is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter and features the procession of pasos, floats of life like wooden sculptures.
Some of them are of great antiquity and are considered artistic masterpieces, as well as being culturally and spiritually important to the local Catholic population.
Traditional Dress
The nazareno or penitential are dressed with a tunic, a hood with conical tip, used to conceal the face of the wearer, and sometimes a cloak. The exact colors and forms of these robes depend on the procession. The robes were widely used in the medieval period to demonstrate their penance while still masking their identity. They carry processional candles or rough-hewn wooden crosses, may walk the city streets barefoot, and, in some places may carry shackles and chains on their feet as penance.
The traditional suit worn by women on Thursday is known as “La Mantilla”. This custom has become revitalized since the 1980s. The outfit consists of the lace mantle, stiffened by shell and a black dress. It is expected for the woman to hold and show a rosary.
The Paso
At the centre of each procession are the pasos, an image set atop a moveable float of wood.
The processions start in the evening and finish in the midnight, occupying the streets with religious images, nazarenos and incense scent.
The Music
Behind the Paso, you can find the band of bugles and drums and sometimes it includes clarinets or the saxophones. Saeta is a way of singing that is full of passion. It is sang to the Image from a balcony or in the street, meanwhile the Paso is going along its path.
Traditional food
For Catholics, one of the routines during Easter is to eliminate meat from their diet. This seeks to symbolically honor the wishes of Jesus that appear in Scripture.
You can enjoy during this period particularly two products: Cod and Torrijas.
Torrijas are pieces of fried bread soaked in milk or sweet wine. Usually it has a touch of lemon, honey and cinnamon depending on the recipe.
