Prepare to experience many 15th Century Spanish traditions during this Holy week of Semana Santa. Expect traditional costumes, a plethora of processions and an abundance of weirdly cool moments. The perfect way to fully immerse yourself in the culture and make the most of your Spanish language course. This guide will ensure you don’t miss out on the festivities from the 9th – 16th of April.
Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos)
This is the first day of the Semana Santa processions. Palm Sunday honours the icon of Cristo de la Fé y del Perdón and Santa María Inmaculada Madre de la Iglesia and simulates Jesus Christ’s coming to Jerusalem. The procession is held at the Basilica de San Miguel and will begin around 16:30, although it really picks up at 19:00, and goes on throughout the evening. Prepare for a blast from the past!
, given the weight of the alter!
Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
One of the more eerie processions of Semana Santa is the Procesión del Silencio (Procession of Silence). Comprised of traditional outfits and completely covered in black and white cloth, the silence of the procession is made even more spooky. The parade begins at The Church of Santísimo Cristo de la Fé around 19:00
Holy Saturday (Sábado Santo)
At the Corpus Christi Monastery you can see the procession of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (5 min walk from Metro Almendrales) at around 16:30.
Easter Sunday (Domingo Santo)
The most important day of the festivities, the city will gather in Plaza Mayor to witness the Tamborada del Domingo de Resurrección, which translates as the Drums of the Sunday of the Resurrection. The Plaza is filled with brotherhoods, again dressed in traditional costumes, who rhythmically bang on hundreds of different drums to simulate the Earth’s tremors on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. 
