Holy Week in Seville (In Spanish: ''Semana Santa de Sevilla'') is one of two biggest annual festivals in

Seville Seville (; es, Sevilla, ) is the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula ...

Andalusia Andalusia (, ; es, Andalucía ) is the southernmost Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Peninsular Spain. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomous community in the country. It is officially recognised as a ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

, the other being the ''Feria de Abril'' (April Fair), which follows two weeks later. It is celebrated in the week leading up to

Easter Easter,Traditional names for the feast in English are "Easter Day", as in the '' Book of Common Prayer''; "Easter Sunday", used by James Ussher''The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher, Volume 4'') and Samuel Pepys''The Diary of Samuel ...

(

Holy Week Holy Week ( la, Hebdomada Sancta or , ; grc, Ἁγία καὶ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς, translit=Hagia kai Megale Hebdomas, lit=Holy and Great Week) is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. In Eastern Churches, w ...

among Christians), and features the procession of ''pasos'', floats of lifelike wooden

sculptures Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...

of individual scenes of sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, or images of the grieving

Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother o ...

. Some of the sculptures are of great antiquity and are considered artistic masterpieces, as well as being culturally and spiritually important to the local Catholic population.

The processions

There are up to three ''pasos'' in each procession. The pasos dedicated to

Jesus Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...

use figures of wood, wax, and wire to depict scenes from the Passion, and are usually covered in gold. The pasos dedicated to the

are usually covered in silver, and depict Mary weeping for her Son and sometimes holding Him in her arms.Dykes, Daniel. "Holy Week in Seville", ''Catholic Digest''
The processions are organized by ''hermandades'' and ''cofradías'', religious brotherhoods. Members precede the ''pasos'' dressed in penitential robes with '' capirotes'', tall, pointed hoods with eye-holes.Hafiz, Yasmine. "Penitents Observe Holy Week In Seville, Spain With Processions And Robes", Huffington Post, April 4, 2014
/ref> The ''capirotes'' were designed so the faithful could repent in anonymity, without being recognised as self-confessed sinners.
/ref> Nearly 70 ''cofradias'' (church brotherhoods) take part, each with their own image, as well as colourful misterios (tableaux of bible scenes), on elaborately-decorated pasos (floats). They may be accompanied by brass bands. The processions follow a designated route from their homes, churches and chapels to the

cathedral A cathedral is a church that contains the '' cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denomination ...

, usually via a central viewing area and back. The ones from the suburban ''barrios'' may take 14 hours to return to their home churches. The processions continue from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday morning. The climax of the week is the night of Holy Thursday, when the processions set out to arrive at the cathedral on the dawn of

Good Friday Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday (also Hol ...

, known as the ''madrugá''.

The marching order

The core events in ''Semana Santa'' are the processions of the brotherhoods, known as ''estación de penitencia'' (stations of penance), from their home

church Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship * Chris ...

chapel A chapel is a Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. Firstly, smaller spaces inside a church that have their own altar are often called chapels; the Lady chapel is a common ty ...

to the

and back. The last section before arriving to the cathedral is common to all brotherhoods and is called the ''Carrera Oficial''. The standard structure of a procession is: * A great cross (the so-called ''Cruz de Guía'' – Guiding Cross) is carried at the beginning of each procession. * A number of people (sometimes barefoot) dressed in a habit and with the distinctive pointed hood ('' capirote''), and holding long wax candles (only lit by night), marching in silence. These are the ''nazarenos''. Colours, forms and details of the habit are distinctive for each brotherhood – and sometimes for different locations within the procession. Usually the ''Nazarenos'' march in pairs, and are grouped behind insignia. Moving between the lines are ''diputados de tramo'', guardians who keep the formations organized. * A group of altar boys,

acolytes An acolyte is an assistant or follower assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession. In many Christian denominations, an acolyte is anyone performing ceremonial duties such as lighting altar candles. In others, the term is used f ...

, dressed in

vestments Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religion, especially by Eastern Churches, Catholics (of all rites), Anglicans, and Lutherans. Many other groups also make use of liturgical garments; this w ...

(many of them wearing

dalmatic The dalmatic is a long, wide-sleeved tunic, which serves as a liturgical vestment in the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, United Methodist, and some other churches. When used, it is the proper vestment of a deacon at Mass, Holy Communion or other se ...

s), with chandeliers and incense, and other servants. * The ''Paso''. * When applicable, the musical group follows (bands) or precedes the ''paso'' (chapel music) * A number of ''penitentes'', carrying wooden crosses, making public penance. They wear the habit and the hood of the brotherhood, but the hood is not pointed. This structure repeats itself depending on the number of ''pasos'' (up to three). Usually the last ''paso'' is not followed by ''penitentes'', and the procession should be closed -presided- by the titular chaplain in full processional vestments known as ''el preste'' Although this is the standard structure, depending on the traditions of each brotherhood, details (and even the plan) may vary. A procession can be made up from a few hundred to near 3,000 ''Nazarenos'' and last anywhere from 4 to 14 hours, depending how far the home church is from the cathedral. The largest processions can take over an hour and a half to cross one particular spot

The ''paso''

At the centre of each procession are the ''pasos'', an image or set of images set atop a moveable float of

wood Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin th ...

. The first one would be a sculpted scene of the sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary: # The Agony in the Garden. Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for Sin, Uniformity with the Will of God # The Scourging at the Pillar. Fruit of the Mystery: Mortification, Purity # The

Crowning with Thorns According to the New Testament, a woven crown of thorns ( or grc, ἀκάνθινος στέφανος, akanthinos stephanos, label=none) was placed on the head of Jesus during the events leading up to his crucifixion. It was one of the instru ...

. Fruit of the Mystery: Contempt of the world, Courage # The Carrying of the Cross. Fruit of the Mystery: Patience # The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord. Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance, Salvation, Forgiveness The structure of the ''paso'' is richly carved and decorated with fabric, flowers and candles. As of 2007, all but one of the ''dolorosas'' are covered by an ornate canopy or baldachin (''palio'') attached to the structure. The sculptures themselves are carved and painted, and often lifesize or larger. The oldest surviving were carved in the 16th century, though new images continue to be added. Those highly regarded artistically include the ''Jesus del Gran Poder'' and ''Cristo de la Buena Muerte'' by Juan de Mesa, Francisco Antonio Ruíz Gijón's ''Cristo de la Expiración'' (known as ''El Cachorro'') and the two virgins named ''Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza'' from Macarena and Triana. All of the principal images of the ''Semana Santa'' are on display for veneration in their home churches all year round. Semana santa-capataz sevilla

A distinctive feature of Semana Santa in Seville is the style of marching of the ''pasos''. A team of men, the ''costaleros'' (literally "sack men", for their distinctive – and functional – headdress), supporting the beams upon their shoulders and necks, lift, move and lower the ''paso''. As they are all inside the structure and hidden from the external view by a curtain, the ''paso'' seems to move by itself. On the outside an overseer (''capataz''), guides the team by voice, or through a ceremonial hammer ''el llamador'' (caller) attached to the ''paso''. Depending on weight (most weigh over a

tonne The tonne ( or ; symbol: t) is a unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms. It is a non-SI unit accepted for use with SI. It is also referred to as a metric ton to distinguish it from the non-metric units of the short ton ( United State ...

), a ''paso'' requires between twenty-four and fifty-four ''costaleros'' to move. Each brotherhood has a distinctive way to raise and move a ''paso'', and even each ''paso'' within the procession. SemanaSantaSevillaLlamador

The music

Some processions are silent, with no musical accompaniment, some have

a cappella ''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Ren ...

choirs or wind

quartets In music, a quartet or quartette (, , , , ) is an ensemble of four singers or instrumental performers; or a musical composition for four voices and instruments. Classical String quartet In classical music, one of the most common combinations o ...

, but many (and especially those historically associated with poorer neighbourhoods) feature a

drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...

and

trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard ...

band behind the image of Christ and a brass band behind the Virgin playing hymns or ''marchas'' from a standard repertoire Those associated with the images of Christ are often funeral in nature, while those associated with the Virgin are more celebratory. As each procession leaves its home church, (an event known as the ''salida''), at its return (the ''entrada''), and along the march route, improvised flamenco-style songs may be offered by individuals in the crowd or from a balcony. These songs are generically called ''saetas'' (arrows). Whenever the images depart or arrive at their home churches or chapels, ''Marcha Real'', the national anthem, is played and proper courtesy is done for both the images and the performance of the anthem.

The official route

Many of the processions pass through an official viewing area which occupies some of the city's main streets, beginning in ''Campana'', followed by ''Calle Sierpes'', ''Plaza San Francisco'', and ''Avenida de la Constitución'', before reaching the

. Due to the increasingly tight schedule over the week, and also the urban growth of the city, a number of recently formed brotherhoods have to procession on

Passion Week Holy Week ( la, Hebdomada Sancta or , ; grc, Ἁγία καὶ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς, translit=Hagia kai Megale Hebdomas, lit=Holy and Great Week) is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. In Eastern Churches, wh ...

before Palm Sunday and do not march into the cathedral at all.

Traditional dress

The traditional suit worn by women on Thursday (and sometimes on Good Friday) is known as ''La Mantilla'' (the mantle). This custom has become revitalised since the 1980s. The outfit consists of the lace mantle, stiffened by shell or another material, and a black dress, usually mid-leg, with black shoes. It is expected for the woman to hold and show a rosary. Jewelry may include, at most, bracelets and earrings.

The days of Holy Week

Below is a list of the brotherhoods which make penance each day, as of 2010, with the traditional year of establishment (or first procession to the cathedral for those found in the last century), and a few notes. The names in the list are those in common usage. They are ordered in the same sequence as they enter the cathedral. Unlike other locations, this sequence is not related to the scenes of the Passion their images depict, but on a historically grown set of rules of precedence, tradition, canonical needs, agreements between brotherhoods and logistical considerations. Rain (or serious menace of) may affect the processions, some may seek refuge to a nearby church or landmarks and wait for a perfect time to go back to their church, or the ''Hermano Mayor'' may fully suspend the procession. There are 11 days of Holy Week as follows:

Friday of Sorrows

* ''Pino Montano''. * ''Pasión y Muerte'' (''Passion and Death''). 1991. * ''La Corona'' (''The Crown''). 1989 * ''La Misión'' (''The Mission''). 1949. * ''Agrupación Parroquial Bendición y Esperanza (Polígono Sur)'' (''Parish Association Blessing and Hope''). 1992.

Saturday of Passion

* ''La Milagrosa (Ciudad Jardín)'' (''The Miraculous''). 1998. * ''Divino Perdón (Parque Alcosa)'' (''Divine Forgiveness''). 1992. * ''Torreblanca'' (''WhiteTower''). 1961. * ''Padre Pío'' (''Padre Pio''). 1986. * ''Agrupación Parroquial Rosario (San Jerónimo)'' (''Parish Association Rosary''). 2015.

Palm Sunday

* ''La Borriquita'' (''The Little She-Donkey'') depicting Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The ''nazarenos'' corp is exclusively formed by children (except guardians and ''costaleros''). The first section of the Brotherhood of El Amor that goes in Procession * ''Jesús Despojado'' (''Stripped Jesus''). 1936. * ''La Paz'' (''The Peace''). 1939. The paso represents the moment when they are giving Jesus the cross. It is also the first one to go out. * ''La Cena'' (''The Last Supper''). 1591. * ''La Hiniesta'' (''The Broom''). 1412. The paso represents the moment when Jesus is in the cross and Mary Magdalene crying below. * ''San Roque'' (''Saint Roch''). 1901. * ''La Estrella'' (''The Star''). 1560. Also known as the ''Valiente'' (Brave), since it was the only brotherhood which processed in 1932. * ''La Amargura'' (''The Bitterness''). Late 17th century. The Virgin of the ''Amargura'' was the first ''Dolorosa'' to be crowned, in 1954. * ''El Amor'' (''The Love''). 1508.

Monday of Holy Week

* ''Cautivo del Polígono'' (''Captive of Polígono''). 2008 * ''El Beso de Judas'' (''Judas' Kiss''). 1959. * ''Santa Genoveva'' (''Saint Genevieve''). 1958. This brotherhood's image of the captive Christ is usually escorted by a sizable number of street-dressed women undertaking private penance. * ''Santa Marta'' (''Saint Martha''). 1946. The nazarenos of Santa Marta dress in black because their paso depicts the transportation of Christ's body to the tomb. As of 2007, the only brotherhood whose ''costaleros'' are still "de jure" paid for the task. * ''San Gonzalo'' (''Saint Gundisalvus''). 1943 * ''Vera-Cruz'' (''True Cross''). Founded in 1448 and revived in the early 20th century. * ''Las Penas'' (''The Sorrows''). 1875. * ''Las Aguas'' (''The Waters''). 1750. * ''El Museo''. (''The Museum'') 1575.

Tuesday of Holy Week

* ''San Esteban'' (''Saint Stephen''). 1926. * ''El Cerro'' (''The Hill''). 1989. It is the brotherhood travelling furthest to make station; the procession lasts some 14 hours. * ''La Candelaria'' (''The Candlemas''). 1922. * ''San Benito'' (''Saint Benedict''). Founded by shipbuilders in Triana in the 16th century. HPIM1696

* ''El Dulce Nombre'' (''The Sweet Name''). 1584. It is known popularly as ''the Bofetá'' (''slap in the face'') because its current ''paso'' represents the moment when, after Jesus has been detained, he is slapped in the face by a servant. * ''Los Javieres'' (''The Xaviers''). 1946. * ''Los Estudiantes'' (''The Students''). 1924. The image of ''Cristo de la Buena Muerte'' (1620) is considered the masterwork of Juan de Mesa. * ''Santa Cruz'' (''Holy Cross''). 1904.

Wednesday of Holy Week

* ''El Carmen'' (''The Carmel''). 2007. * ''La Sed'' (''The Thirst''). 1979. * ''San Bernardo''. (''Saint Bernard'') 1748. * ''El Buen Fin'' (''The Good End''). 1590. * ''La Lanzada'' (''The Spearthrow''). 1591. * ''El Baratillo'' (''The Secondhand Shop''). 1693. * ''Cristo de Burgos'' (''Christ of Burgos''). 1883. The Christ is considered the masterpiece of Juan Bautista Vázquez the Elder (16th century). * ''Las Siete Palabras'' (''The Seven Words''). 1561. * ''Los Panaderos'' (''The Bakers''). 18th century.

Holy Thursday

* ''Los Negritos'' (''The Black people''). Prior to 1400. Up to the mid 19th century, only black people (both free and slave) could be full members. * ''La Exaltación'' (''The Exaltation''). 16th century. Nicknamed ''los caballos'' (''the horses''). * ''Las Cigarreras'' (''The Cigarmakers''). 1563. It is the brotherhood of this day with the less number of . The image of the Virgin of the Victory is considered by several experts as one of the most beautiful in the city. * ''Monte-Sión'' (''Mount-Zion''). 1560. * ''Quinta Angustia'' (''Fifth Anguish''). 1541. * ''El Valle'' (''The Valley''). 1590. * ''Pasión'' (''Passion''). 1531. The image of Jesus is a masterpiece of Juan Martínez Montañés.

Good Friday (early hours) ''La madrugá''

Starting a little while after midnight into Good Friday, and lasting sometimes until midday, the ''Madruga'' (''dawn'') is the high point of the processions in Seville. * ''El Silencio'' (''The Silence''). 1340. Considered the oldest existing brotherhood. The whole procession is followed by the watching crowd in silence. Penitents and the Jesus Nazareno image carry the Cross backwards (embracing it). * ''El Gran Poder'' (''The Great Power''). 1431. The image of the Lord is one of the most venerated in Seville and elsewhere. It's called "El Señor de Sevilla" (The Lord of Seville in English). This image has got a lot of followers. * ''

La Macarena "Macarena" is a dance song by Spanish pop duo Los del Río, about a woman of the same name. The song uses a type of clave rhythm. Originally appearing on the 1993 album '' A mí me gusta'', a subsequent remix by Miami-based producers The Bay ...

'' ('' Our Lady of Hope Macarena''). 1595. The most popular image of the Virgin in Seville. It's called "La Señora de Sevilla" (The Lady of Seville in English). Her presence arouses passion in the watching crowds. At 14 hours, it is one of the longest, and also one of the most applauded. * ''El Calvario'' (''The Calvary''). 1571. The smallest and shortest procession of the night. * ''La Esperanza de Triana'' (''The Hope of Triana''). 1418. The Virgin of Triana. She is also known as the "''Reina Madre y Capitana de Triana''" (Queen Mother and Captain of Triana). The only image of the Virgin Mary in Seville canonically crowned with a Papal Bull, by Pope John Paul II on June 2, 1984. A long and festive procession. * ''Los Gitanos'' (''The Gypsies''). 1753. Even now, the ''hermano mayor'' (principal of the brotherhood) is expected to be a

gypsy The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sign ...

Good Friday

* ''La Carretería'' (''The Cartwright's Shop''). 1550. * ''Soledad de San Buenaventura'' (''The Loneliness, Saint Bonaventure''). 1847. * ''El Cachorro'' (''The Puppy''). 1689. The image of the crucified expiring Christ, made in 1682 by Francisco Ruiz Gijón, is a masterpiece. * ''La O'' (''The O'') 1566. Was the first brotherhood of Triana to process across the river to Seville, on 9 April 1830. * ''San Isidoro'' (''Saint Isidore''). 1605. * ''Montserrat'' 1601. * ''Sagrada Mortaja'' (''Sacred Shroud''). 1692.

Holy Saturday

* ''El Sol'' (''The Sun'') 2010. One of the newest to be formed. * ''Los Servitas'' (''The Servants of Mary'') 1696. * ''La Trinidad'' (''The Trinity'') 1507. * ''Santo Entierro'' (''Holy Burial'') c. 1570. With representatives of public authorities, civic bodies and legations from most other brotherhoods. * ''La Soledad de San Lorenzo'' (''The Loneliness, Saint Lawrence''). 16th century.

Easter Sunday

* ''La Resurrección'' (''The Resurrection''). 1969. It is the last of the brotherhoods to make their procession, ending Holy Week celebrations.

History

The origins of the penitential Holy Week in Seville are to be found in the late Middle Ages (from 1350 onwards), but details are scarce. By 1578 already over 30 brotherhoods performed penitential processions during the Holy Week. By 1604 Cardinal

Fernando Niño de Guevara Fernando Niño de Guevara (1541 – 8 January 1609) was a Spanish cardinal who was also Archbishop of Seville and Grand Inquisitor of Spain. Biography Fernando Niño de Guevara was born in Toledo, Spain in 1541, the son of Rodrigo Niño, Marqu ...

, gave the first ordinances mandating all Sevillan confraries to make a stop in the cathedral (and at St. Anna those of Triana) and assigning certain time frames for this (from Wednesday to Good Friday). In the 20th century the forms of Holy Week were revived. In the anticlerical period of the

Second Spanish Republic The Spanish Republic (), commonly known as the Second Spanish Republic (), was the form of government in Spain from 1931 to 1939. The Republic was proclaimed on 14 April 1931, after the deposition of Alfonso XIII, King Alfonso XIII, and was di ...

, churches, images and goods were destroyed on July 18, 1936, and thereabouts. There were changes in the period immediately following the

II Vatican Council The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the , or , was the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. The council met in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for four periods (or sessions), each lasting between 8 and ...

, which coincided with the social changes in Spain around the death of

Francisco Franco Francisco Franco Bahamonde (; 4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War ...

Notes

Bibliography

*Webster, Susan Verdi (1998). ''Art and Ritual in Golden-Age Spain: Sevillian Confraternities and the Processional Sculpture of Holy Week''. Princeton University Press. *Almela Vinet, Francisco (2003). ''Historia de la Semana Santa en Sevilla : descripción de las cofradías que hacen estación durante la misma a la Santa Iglesia Catedral (1899)''. Ediciones Espuela de Plata (Editorial Renacimiento). *Carrero Rodríguez, Juan (1981). ''Gran Diccionario de la Semana Santa''. Editorial Almuzara. *Martínez Kleiser, Luis (2003). ''La Semana Santa de Sevilla (1924)''. Ediciones Espuela de Plata (Editorial Renacimiento). *Sánchez Herrero, José. ''La Semana Santa de Sevilla''. Editorial Sílex. *Various authors (2003). ''Recuerda Semana Santa de Sevilla''. Editorial Everest S.A. *Antonio M. Rueda, Spanish Language and Literature Professor in the University of Chicago (USA). *Michener, James A., and Robert Vavra. Iberia. London (57 Uxbridge Rd, W.5): Corgi, 1971. Print.

External links

A quite deep introduction to the tradition.Holy Week in Seville.
– History and guides with videos and photographs of Holy Week in Seville.
Information on and around Holy Week in Seville.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holy Week In Seville Seville

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