Lorraine Williamson
Each spring, Semana Santa transforms cities and towns across Spain. Streets fill with solemn processions, the scent of incense and wax, and the echo of drums. But beneath the spectacle lies a complex network of rituals, symbols, and sensory traditions that have evolved over centuries.
From regional dishes to emotional songs and hidden meanings, Spain’s Holy Week is much more than a religious event—it’s a cultural cornerstone.
Below are five lesser-known elements that shape this remarkable week.
Food and faith go hand in hand
Semana Santa is also a time for specific foods tied to religious tradition. Across Spain, bacalao (salted cod) is a common dish, especially during Lent. Households also prepare seasonal sweets: torrijas (similar to French toast), buñuelos (fried dough balls), and in Catalonia, the mona de Pascua—a decorated Easter cake given to children. These dishes bring families together and add flavour to the more solemn aspects of the week.
The meaning behind the nazarenos’ pointed hoods
The tall, pointed hoods worn by nazarenos often confuse visitors, but their origins are medieval and symbolic. The hood conceals the wearer’s face as a gesture of humility before God, representing penance and anonymity. Each hermandad (brotherhood) wears specific colours—white for purity, black for mourning, purple for penance. The tall shape, some say, symbolises reaching toward heaven.
Costaleros: Carriers of weight and devotion
The heavy pasos (religious floats) that wind through the streets are carried by costaleros—volunteers who walk for hours beneath the weight of sometimes more than 1,200 kilos. They wear a protective cotton cloth (costal) on their necks and move in tightly choreographed steps. In places like Seville and Cádiz, they’re local icons, admired for their endurance and commitment.
Centuries of craft behind the pasos
Each paso tells a story—scenes from the Passion of Christ or the grief of the Virgin Mary. These floats are carefully carved from wood and richly adorned. Some date back to the Middle Ages, though their roots may go as far as ancient Rome. It’s not uncommon for 200 people to carry a single paso through the streets. Their slow, deliberate movements create one of the most memorable visuals of the week.
The saeta: An unscripted cry from the heart
As the float passes, silence may suddenly be broken by a saeta—a spontaneous, deeply emotional song sung from a balcony or kerbside. These traditional Andalucian laments, passed down through generations, are raw and a cappella. They express pain, sorrow, or devotion, often stopping both the procession and spectators in their tracks.
A time for reflection and regional variation
Although Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday are days of mourning in much of Spain, other areas mark them differently. In Catalonia, for example, Easter Monday is a day of joy and family meals. It reflects the diverse character of Spain—where the same tradition can carry many meanings depending on where you stand.
Also read: Semana Santa away from the spotlight