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Next week starts a very special period for many people; Semana Santa or Holy Week, the week before Easter. In other European countries, Easter is only 'celebrated' in a few days, in Spain (but also in other Spanish-speaking countries) they set aside a whole week for it. Therefore, it is also a very important week for religious Spaniards and famous for the elaborate processions and traditions during this period.

During Semana Santa, Spaniards both young and old take to the streets to watch the Christian processions of the various brotherhoods (cofradías or hermandades) with large decorated floats (pasos) depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ.   
  
During the processions, the statues of saints, a statue of Christ and a statue of the Virgin Mary, are carried by sometimes as many as a thousand(!) castaleros (image bearers) . The statue of Christ contains little decoration, while the statues of the Virgin Mary, on the other hand, are heavily decorated with, for example, flowers, candles and lots of gold and silver.   
  
The image bearers walking through the narrow streets with the heavy images on their shoulders are led by a capataz (foreman) to make sure they all arrive at the church in one piece.   
  
Surely the most striking thing during these processions is the attire used. Indeed, you will see many people dressed in pointed hats and walking with candles and crosses. They are also called penitents; nazarenos. These hats date back to the time of the Spanish Inquisition, when those condemned to atone were required to wear a pointed hat that covered face, back and chest. Wearing the pointed hat meant they were closer to heaven, it was thought at the time. The penitents are members of the religious brotherhoods, or cofradías, that organise the processions and are an important part of Semana Santa in Andalusia.  
  
Semana Santa begins this year on Sunday 2 April with Domingo de Ramos (the day Jesus walked into Jerusalem) followed by Lunes Santo on Monday 3 April, Martes Santo on Tuesday 4 April, Miércoles Santo on 5, Jueves Santo on 6, Viernes Santo (Good Friday) on 7 and Sábado Santo on 8 April to close the week with the Domingo de Resurrección on Sunday 9 April.  
  
In addition to the many confessions, the week naturally includes time to eat and drink extensively with friends and family.  Whether you are religious or not, it is a week you should definitely experience once!  
  
Note: In different villages and cities, many shops, banks and government institutions have different opening hours.