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Enjoy the Granada
semana santa spectacular in 2011
"What is happening during Semana Santa!"
The 2011 Granada semana santa (Granada Holy Week) starts on the 17th April.
I say "The Granada semana santa" because Granada is renowned throughout Andalucia for having magnificent and meaningful processions and celebrations.
Anyone arriving before "the week" itself is likely to see preparations in progress as the whole city prepares for this special occasion.
For months, most accommodation in Granada will have been booked up. And even one of our favourite restaurants has been serving its Easter Dish Potaje de Semana Santa for a while, now. This "special" is a very tasty stew of potatoes, chickpeas, fish and prawns.
The Potaje de Semana Santa is the restaurant's alternative to their traditional cocido dish (my favourite) which would normally contain chorizos (sausages), morcilla (black pudding) and pork).
Holy Week -
Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday
The religious images used in the processions have great antiquity, often dating back to times gone by when the illustrated passion of Christ was used to educate the illiterate masses.
These images are carried by costaleros, supported by bands sounding their sombre songs and accompanied by the penitentes (walkers with the Klu Klux Klan style hoods). Each fraternity and brotherhood in Granada involved in the celebrations plays its own part in contributing to the colour and style of the whole Easter period.
Individuals will be seen walking barefoot, or even on their knees, to ask for special favours, or to thank God for favours already received. There is a whole range of activities and interests during semana santa in Granada.
Granada Semana Santa
day by dayThis year, for the first time, an application has been developed for the iPhone and iPad on Holy Week in Granada. It will give details and "live" streaming of the various stations and processions in Granada. Users will be able to see information about the various fraternities and sororities for Holy week.
Even though the whole week is packed with plenty to see, highlights of this Holy period are to be found on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Palm sunday (Domingo de Ramos)This is the start of Granada Semana Santa - which reminds us of the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem. Celebrations centre around the blessings of the palms and branches of olive trees.
Holy Monday (Lunes Santo) This day commemorates the expulsion of the merchants from the Temple of Jerusalem. Because many Granadinos are still working today there will probably not be as many people watching the processions.
Holy Tuesday (Martes Santo)This reminds us of the betrayal of Judas. The day is characterised by the crucifix and so the cross is featured heavily and the scents of incense will pervade the air.
Holy Wednesday (Miércoles Santo)During Granada Semana Santa this day commemorates the Jewish religious court condemning Jesus. This is also the day when Lent finishes and Easter begins.
The Cristo de los Gitanos procession (Christ of the Gypsies) leads up to the Sacromonte while bonfires and special devotional songs brings spectacular sights and sounds to all who take part..
Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo)This day recalls the last supper of Jesus with the twelve apostles. During mass on this day the priest will wash the feet of the other priests as a sign of humility, as well as representing Jesus, who also washed the feet of his apostles.
Good Friday (Viernes Santo)Today the walk that Christ took is commemorated, along with his crucifixion, subsequent death on the cross and then his burial. Many processions walk between 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock to commemorate the time during which Jesus died. This time is called the MADRUGÁ.
The processions explore the Jewish area (the ancient Realojo of Granada).
Holy SaturdayThis is day of reflection and, after today comes resurrection Sunday that marks the end of the Passover and Easter until next year.
The one procession is that of Santa Maria de la Alhambra. In this procession, the patron saint of Granada, the Virgin of the Angustias, brings an exclusivity to the proceedings as the entourage ascends the hill to the Alhambra itself. But it is when the procession returns to the city that the unforgettable happens. As the Patron Saint's image passes through the door of the Alhambra, thousands of rose petals are scattered and hundreds of sparklers and fireworks lit. The whole procession then passes down through the Cuesta de Gomérez (guitar street). The result is an experience that will never be forgotten.
Easter Sunday (Domingo de Resurrección)Today is the day that Jesus Christ revived after his crucifixion, and he went to meet with his Apostles and then ascended up to heaven. Today is also the completion of the Granada Semana Santa. There are only a few processions today as Granada begins to prepare the streets to return to normal routine.. chairs are collected.. steps taken down.. balconies rearranged.. and things begin to get back to normal again.
Maybe we will meet up with you in Granada during this very special time of year...
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