Seville, Spain’s Semana Santa Holy Week blends religion, custom, spectacle : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8125x5357+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F00%2F9b%2F3cefcee2467b9f071542e3c039f7%2Fgettyimages-2268600786.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8125x5357+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F00%2F9b%2F3cefcee2467b9f071542e3c039f7%2Fgettyimages-2268600786.jpg" class="img" alt="Penitents from the La Paz brotherhood parade in the Palm Sunday procession in Seville " fetchpriority="high"/> Penitents from the La Paz brotherhood parade within the Palm Sunday procession in Seville, Spain, on March 29. Most of the contributors in Semana Santa processions put on conventional costumes that embody pointy hoods, which, particularly for Individuals, could also be paying homage to the Ku Klux Klan. However this Catholic garb far predates the American hate group. Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures SEVILLE, Spain — Every spring, for one week, Seville transforms. The scent of orange blossoms mixes with heady incense. Booming drums and hovering brass bands echo down slender streets. Gilded floats topped with life-like statues and vibrant floral preparations are carried throughout cobblestones in elaborate processions.

These parades unite pageantry, penance and custom in a show so stunning that it touches the hearts, even of those that do not imagine of their underlying message. That is Seville's Holy Week, generally known as Semana Santa.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffe%2F0b%2F64e962114ee6ac8c1fd52590b858%2Fgettyimages-2268600886.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffe%2F0b%2F64e962114ee6ac8c1fd52590b858%2Fgettyimages-2268600886.jpg" class="img" alt=" Penitents of Santa Genoveva brotherhood wait before taking part in a procession during Holy Week (Semana Santa) observances on March 30, 2026 in Seville, Spain." loading="lazy"/> Penitents of Santa Genoveva brotherhood wait earlier than participating in a procession throughout Holy Week (Semana Santa) observances on March 30 in Seville, Spain. Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F56%2F4e339b5941619899438f3cf6a5fb%2Fgettyimages-2268594574.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F56%2F4e339b5941619899438f3cf6a5fb%2Fgettyimages-2268594574.jpg" class="img" alt="The brotherhood of San Gonzalo crosses Isabel II bridge, known as âPuente de Trianaâ on their way to the Cathedral on the second official day of the Holy Week celebrations at Sevilla, Spain on March 30, 2026." loading="lazy"/> The brotherhood of San Gonzalo crosses Isabel II bridge on their approach to the cathedral on the second official day of the Holy Week celebrations in Sevilla, Spain, on March 30. Macarena Perez Herrera/Anadolu through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Macarena Perez Herrera/Anadolu through Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5439x3629+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2c%2F36%2F0fd461d842bd945525aa4f0e9a6b%2Fgettyimages-2269573577.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5439x3629+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2c%2F36%2F0fd461d842bd945525aa4f0e9a6b%2Fgettyimages-2269573577.jpg" class="img" alt="Members of the Brotherhood of Los Negritos wear the pointed hoods traditionally worn in Semana Santa processions. To the American eye, they recall Ku Klux Klan costumes but date much farther back than the American hate group." loading="lazy"/> Members of the Brotherhood of Los Negritos put on the pointed hoods historically worn in Semana Santa processions. To the American eye, they recall Ku Klux Klan costumes however date a lot farther again than the American hate group. Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press through Getty Pictures From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, town's historic middle strains on the seams. Folks bus in from surrounding neighborhoods and cities. Vacationers are drawn to the spectacle from different elements of Spain and overseas. Over this week, 61 Catholic brotherhoods snake via town alongside the official parade path to Seville's Gothic cathedral after which again to their house church buildings.

For a lot of metropolis residents, these processions are deeply sacred. "Holy Week means an expression of religion," mentioned Maite Olivares. She expresses her religion in a method distinctive to Spain and typical of this area, with the saeta. It is a passionate flamenco tune, sung a cappella and infrequently improvised, devoted to Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5818x3836+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F08%2F51%2F524963ea429b88024641d71f561b%2Fgettyimages-2268457712.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5818x3836+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F08%2F51%2F524963ea429b88024641d71f561b%2Fgettyimages-2268457712.jpg" class="img" alt="Penitents from the La Paz brotherhood parade in the Palm Sunday procession in Seville on March 29, 2026. " loading="lazy"/> Penitents from the La Paz brotherhood parade within the Palm Sunday procession in Seville on March 29. Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5220x3846+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fa6%2F08c150654824999fe8028df1f9c7%2Fgettyimages-2268698852.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5220x3846+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fa6%2F08c150654824999fe8028df1f9c7%2Fgettyimages-2268698852.jpg" class="img" alt="Spain's colourful Holy Week celebrations started this week, featuring centuries-old processions of the faithful carrying flower-covered floats topped with statues of Christ or the Virgin Mary that draw huge crowds. Penitents of the 'Los Estudiantes' brotherhood take part in a procession during Holy Week in Seville, Spain, on March 31 2026. " loading="lazy"/> Penitents of the Los Estudiantes brotherhood participate in a procession throughout Holy Week in Seville, Spain, on March 31. Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3178x2119+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F57%2F18%2F20de879a4cc298cc0d684e4fe908%2Fgettyimages-2269233068.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3178x2119+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F57%2F18%2F20de879a4cc298cc0d684e4fe908%2Fgettyimages-2269233068.jpg" class="img" alt="La Hermandad de San Gonzalo (Brotherhood of San Gonzalo) procesion crossing the Guadalquivir River during holy week on March 29, 2026 in Seville, Spain." loading="lazy"/> The Hermandad de San Gonzalo (Brotherhood of San Gonzalo) procession crosses the Guadalquivir River throughout holy week on March 29, in Seville, Spain. Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures "It is one thing so intimate and so explosive," Olivares mentioned, describing the wild mixture of feelings she feels whereas singing saeta. "It is an implosion of all the things in a single expression."

Olivares is considered one of a shrinking variety of Spaniards who determine as Catholic. Fifty years in the past, simply after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, about 90% of residents have been Catholic. Now, that quantity is 46%, based on the latest government-funded survey on the subject.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fee%2F8471a5984aa29942792af84f3c8c%2Fgettyimages-2268594431.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd8%2Fee%2F8471a5984aa29942792af84f3c8c%2Fgettyimages-2268594431.jpg" class="img" alt="The brotherhood of San Gonzalo crosses the Isabel II bridge on their way to the cathedral on the second official day of the Holy Week celebrations at Sevilla, Spain on March 30." loading="lazy"/> The brotherhood of San Gonzalo crosses the Isabel II bridge on their approach to the cathedral on the second official day of the Holy Week celebrations at Sevilla, Spain on March 30. Macarena Perez Herrera/Anadolu through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Macarena Perez Herrera/Anadolu through Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6048x4032+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fa6%2Fb2692c0042b092ab3963c921ffbd%2Fgettyimages-2268887579.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6048x4032+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fa6%2Fb2692c0042b092ab3963c921ffbd%2Fgettyimages-2268887579.jpg" class="img" alt="A woman wearing a traditional shawl known as a "mantilla" stands outside the Basilica de la Macarena church during Holy Week in Seville on April 2, 2026. " loading="lazy"/> A girl carrying a standard scarf generally known as a mantilla stands outdoors the Basilica de la Macarena church throughout Holy Week in Seville, Spain, on Thursday. Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F65%2Ff2%2Fcdb620974cf8bd894dc22e7abda4%2Fgettyimages-2268454703.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F65%2Ff2%2Fcdb620974cf8bd894dc22e7abda4%2Fgettyimages-2268454703.jpg" class="img" alt="Costaleros (men who carry floats bearing the statue of Christ or the Virgin) of La Paz brotherhood wait before taking part in a procession during Holy Week (Semana Santa) observances on March 29, 2026 in Seville, Spain. " loading="lazy"/> Costaleros carry the heavy spiritual floats which are paraded round throughout Holy Week in Seville. Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7907x5222+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff6%2F49%2F3852552348f48bdf870e13210bad%2Fgettyimages-2268488588.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7907x5222+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff6%2F49%2F3852552348f48bdf870e13210bad%2Fgettyimages-2268488588.jpg" class="img" alt="Penitents of La Paz (The Peace) brotherhood take part in a procession during Holy Week (Semana Santa) observances on March 29, 2026 in Seville, Spain." loading="lazy"/> Penitents of La Paz brotherhood participate in a procession. Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures Nevertheless, even Spaniards who aren't spiritual discover which means in these wealthy cultural shows. María Ángeles Bermudo is amongst them. She mentioned she's not an atheist, however she would not determine as spiritual both. Nonetheless, Semana Santa processions make an impression on her.

"I get emotional as if it have been one thing spiritual," she mentioned, "as a result of I have been watching it since I used to be a little bit woman. It is one thing very acquainted to me."

These processions are a part of a household custom for Bermudo. Her father used to march within the procession as a part of a non secular brotherhood, and so did her husband. This 12 months, she was standing on the parade route ready for her daughter to move by.

The brotherhoods of Semana Santa

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5000x3874+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F50%2F43%2Fa4ebc86b4bd4acc5f2c46c53afef%2Fgettyimages-2268457423.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5000x3874+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F50%2F43%2Fa4ebc86b4bd4acc5f2c46c53afef%2Fgettyimages-2268457423.jpg" class="img" alt="Penitents from the La Paz brotherhood parade in the Palm Sunday procession in Seville on March 29, 2026. " loading="lazy"/> Penitents partake within the Palm Sunday procession in Seville. Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Cristina Quicler/AFP through Getty Pictures 1000's of members of those brotherhoods — that are open to Catholic women and men of all ages — take part within the processions. Many are dressed as nazarenos, carrying tunics, capes or robes and a pointed hood. Whereas to an American eye, they could seem like the sinister apparel worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan, the regalia worn by nazarenos lengthy predates the existence of the white supremacist group. Actually, the pointed hoods of nazarenos are impressed by garments used to disgrace sinners through the Spanish Inquisition. At the moment, they've taken on a brand new which means, with nazarenos willingly carrying them, symbolizing penitence and turning into nearer to God.

For a lot of of these strolling the procession route, that is nonetheless a severe act of penance. Some nazarenos stroll barefoot. Different members of the brotherhoods could carry a wood cross.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0c%2F1e%2F43fa905343fda9f8cbbd218290ad%2Fgettyimages-2268696088.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0c%2F1e%2F43fa905343fda9f8cbbd218290ad%2Fgettyimages-2268696088.jpg" class="img" alt="Penitents of San Esteban brotherhood take part in a procession during Holy Week (Semana Santa) observances" loading="lazy"/> Penitents of San Esteban brotherhood participate in a procession throughout Holy Week (Semana Santa) observances on March 31, in Seville, Spain. Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7734x5331+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0f%2F072ea2bd44b0af687093834dc477%2Fgettyimages-2268803652.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7734x5331+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0f%2F072ea2bd44b0af687093834dc477%2Fgettyimages-2268803652.jpg" class="img" alt="Penitents of San Bernardo brotherhood walk to their church before taking part in a procession during Holy Week" loading="lazy"/> Penitents of San Bernardo brotherhood stroll to their church earlier than participating in a procession throughout Holy Week (Semana Santa) observances on Wednesday in Seville, Spain. Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Pictures Every brotherhood has its personal symbols, colours and general tone. Individuals who put on white or vivid colours usually have extra full of life processions, whereas people who costume in black are extra somber. They stroll in silence or with sparse music.

Every brotherhood is chargeable for carrying totally different statues to the cathedral. The sculptures of Christ characterize totally different scenes from the Ardour of Christ. Massive statues of the Virgin Mary present her in varied states of mourning, even in anguish. Others painting her expressing a way of hope. These statues are sometimes greater than 100 years previous and are symbols of nice pleasure for his or her neighborhood parishes.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5661x3774+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbd%2F10%2F9cf6f202403aa4a90db58e3e3628%2Fgettyimages-2269231784.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5661x3774+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbd%2F10%2F9cf6f202403aa4a90db58e3e3628%2Fgettyimages-2269231784.jpg" class="img" alt="Costaleros (men who carry floats bearing the statue of Christ or the Virgin) from la Hermandad de la Amargura (Brotherhood of La Amargura) procesion during holy week on March 29, 2026 in Seville, Spain. " loading="lazy"/> Costaleros (males who carry floats bearing the statue of Christ or the Virgin Mary) from brotherhood of l. a. Amargura take part in a procession on March 29 in Seville, Spain. Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/12/26/sevensorrows_sq-5ffc2c70892fa2a553892b36b22c3386a5e79f69.jpg?s=100&c=100&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/12/26/sevensorrows_sq-5ffc2c70892fa2a553892b36b22c3386a5e79f69.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" data-format="jpeg" class="img lazyOnLoad" alt="'Visualizing the Virgin' shows Mary in the Middle Ages" loading="lazy"/>

Transporting them to the cathedral is a logistical and bodily problem. Within the days earlier than Holy Week, the statues are hoisted onto giant platforms with rows of parallel wood beams operating beneath. Then groups of sturdy males work in shifts to raise and carry floats — which weigh 1000's of kilos via the streets, largely unable to see the place they are going.

Traditions carry ahead

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5797x3865+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2Ff7%2F91ab3ba847baad43adce1212e976%2Fgettyimages-2268594474.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5797x3865+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2Ff7%2F91ab3ba847baad43adce1212e976%2Fgettyimages-2268594474.jpg" class="img" alt="A girl from the brotherhood of âCautivo y Rescatadoâ known as âSan Pabloâ, cries as she begins her procession to the Cathedral of Seville" loading="lazy"/> A feminine member of the group Cautivo y Rescatado cries as she begins her procession to the Cathedral of Seville on March 30. Macarena Perez Herrera/Anadolu through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Macarena Perez Herrera/Anadolu through Getty Pictures Many traditions have developed round this week in Seville, particularly for youths. Youngsters line the parade routes and maintain out their arms to ask nazarenos for candies and devotional playing cards with photographs of their brotherhood's statues.

Youngsters additionally deliver wadded up balls of aluminum foil to nighttime processions, when nazarenos carry lit candles. They ask the hooded figures to pour melted wax onto the foil; after years of attending processions and including layers of wax, the balls can attain the scale of a cantaloupe.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F04%2F7a%2Fdd32e9934f609be6a0e5fe1b2854%2Fgettyimages-2268594826.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F04%2F7a%2Fdd32e9934f609be6a0e5fe1b2854%2Fgettyimages-2268594826.jpg" class="img" alt="Nazarenos from the brotherhood of San Gonzalo cross Isabel II bridge, known as Puente de Triana, on their way to the Cathedral." loading="lazy"/> Nazarenos from the brotherhood of San Gonzalo cross Isabel II bridge, generally known as Puente de Triana, on their approach to the cathedral on the second official day of the Holy Week celebrations at Sevilla, Spain. Macarena Perez Herrera/Anadolu through Getty Pictures conceal caption