Spanish Holy Week

Introduction

Easter is celebrated very differently in Spain to the UK. No Easter bunnies, no Easter egg hunts but religion and holy parades through the streets of the towns and villages of Andalusia.

Origin

After the conquest of Malaga by the Catholic Kings in 1487 the Catholic religion became more and more important. The first Catholic statues and thrones were built and the first brotherhoods were established in honor of Our Father Jesus Chris and the Holy Virgin Maria.

Description

Every year during this Holy Week, Semana Santa, thousands of people come to Malaga to see this impressive holy parade.

Some interesting facts about the Holy Week in Malaga:

• The largest throne with a statue of the Holy Virgin is the "Maria Santísima de la Esperanza", and is carried by no less than 260 people
• The largest throne with a statue of Jesus Christ is that of the "Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre", and is carried by no less than 220 people
• The oldest brotherhood is that of "La Sangre" and dates from 1501
• The processions start on Easter Sunday and can be viewed daily in the center of Malaga during the entire week with the exception of the Holy Saturday.
• Malaga has a throne, that of Maria Santísima de las Peñas, which has a very special veil, an 8 meter blanket of flowers, mainly carnations
• Malaga is one of the first towns in Andalusia that since the last 30 years accepts women to the brotherhood some of which have important duties during the Holy Week.
  

Legend

The miracle of the Nazareno de Viñeros:

One of the most told legends of Malaga dates from the XVI century, also known as the Legend of the Acabucero.

After the war in Flanders, many soldiers had problems with the conscience and experienced traumas so they decided to confess their sins to the Malaga priest.

One of these soldiers knelt sobbing before the statue of Jesàºs Nazareno de Viñeros, he begged for forgiveness for his sins. When he opened his eyes he saw that Jesus had moved his arm from the cross to give him his blessing.

This arm never returned to its original position and thousands of people came to see this miracle.
This miracle brought the establishment of the Viñeros brotherhood, at first on the annual 1 January party and afterwards in the Holy procession on Maundy Thursday. A boat that is accompanied by Jesus Christ Our Father of Viñeros and the accompanying parade.