Easter in Spain, the meaning of processions

There are many reasons why people want to visitGranada or Cordoba in Jueves Santo or Viernes
Spain, from the wonderful whether to affordableSanto is a haunting experience, the streets are
largers, or comfortable and safe beaches in theflooded with people who wait for hours to see the
Mediterranean coast, however there is only one timeprocessions, dissapointment comes when rain comes,
in the year where you will have the chance toas processions cant take place due to the possible
discover a side of the Spaniards which is onlydamage than water can inflict on the images usually
uncovered during Easter.dating back to the XVII and XVIII century.
You might have seen on TV or press some imagesThe combination of candles, hundres of Cofrades
of the processions that take place in the southernhiding their faces, orchestras on the streets, the
european countries in Easter, however, thesmell of inciense brought out from the churches, and
experience when being in one is absolutely surrealpeople singing randomly on the streets as the images
and cannot be described with words. Sensitivity runsgo is all designed and crafted to take your breath
high those days, the religious beliefs suddenlyaway.
blossom, entire streets are closed and cities come toSpain has a strong catholic tradition and during those
a stand still waiting for hours on end to see a glimpsedates many families still preserve the custome not to
of the catholic imaginery, even if you areeat meat, as this is considered an insult because
non-catholic, non-believer, chances are you will beJesuschrist died during that time, the diet changes to
absolutely moved by the whole experience.accommodate the lack of meat and therefore the
Processions take place usually from 5 pm to 2 or 3restaurants will be plenty of veggie options during
am. There are different groups of people known asthose dates and tipical desserts such as Torrijas.
Cofradias who organise and take active part in everyThe whole experience does come with a price and
single church. Being able to carry the weitgh ofbalconies on the major cities that overlook the
images such as The Crucifixion or The Virgin Mary isstreets where processions take place have a high
a huge honor for those Cofrades who take part, itprice tag. Hotels are usually booked months prior to
requires first to work as a volunteer in the churchEaster and overbooking is not unsual, the new
throughout the year, become an active member, andalternative is booking privately owned short rental
pay for the membership. Working for free, andapartments. In particular finding accommodation in
paying to take part in the whole experience does notMadrid, Seville, Murcia, Malaga, Valladolid and Zamora is
guarantee you the honor on carrying the mainreally hard as the processions in those cities are
images, usually this is a task past on from oneconsidered the best in Spain. Online bookings can be
generation to another, and usually women aremade in some websites for apartments in madrid, or
excluded all together.any other spanish city directly from property owners.
Walking through the streets of Madrid, Seville,