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Enjoy the Granada
semana santa spectacular
The 2009 Granada semana santa (Granada Holy Week) starts tomorrow.
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 dayPalm 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.
Processions of extra interest include - La Borriquilla at 16.30 hours in the Plaza del Carmen and Las Maravillas (The Wonders) in Isabel la Católica Square at 20.00 hours.
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.
Some of the Fraternities be walking today are El Huerto (The Garden) from 19:30 to 00:45 hours and Los Dolores (The Sorrow) from 18:00 - 23:15 hours.
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.
Extra interest processions include La Lanzada (The Spear Wound) in Plaza del Carmen at 16.00 hours and La Esperanza (The Hope) at 18.15 hours in Plaza Nueva.
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.
Notable processions of Fraternities today include Paciencia y Penas (Patience and Sorrows) from 19:20 to 00:00 hours and Universitaria (University) from 20:30 to 00:30 hours.
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.
Processions of extra interest include La Estrella (The Star) at 18.00 hours in San Cristobal Square and at 20.45 hours, La Concha (The Shell) in Concepción de Zafra.
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.
From 16:30 to 00:05 hours are the Favores (Favours) and Santo Entierro (Holy Funeral) can be seen between 20:30 and 23:35 hours.
Holy SaturdayThis is day of reflection and, after today comes resurrection Sunday that marks the end of the Passover and Easter until next year.
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.
Notable processions today include Los Facundillos from 11:30 to 14:30 hours and La Resurrección y el Triunfo (The Resurrection and Triumph) from 16:00 to 01:00 hours.
For more information about the processions and highlights of Granada semana santa, go to Guide to semana santa in Granada. And maybe we will meet up with you in Granada during this very special time of year...
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