Holy Week
The Holy Week is the most important festivity celebrated in Seville. Although its origins date back to the Middle Ages, its greatest artistic expression came in the 17th century.
The Holy Week is the most important festivity celebrated in Seville. Although its origins date back to the Middle Ages, its greatest artistic expression came in the 17th century when it became a vehicle for the Counter-reformation. In the 20th century the Easter celebrations perfectly mixed religion and popular roots. For eight days, the different brotherhoods, starting form their respective churches, pass through the streets of the city to arrive in the Cathedral. Each brotherhood normally carries two pasos or platforms bearing the religious images of the procession: the first representing a scene of Christ’s passion, and the other with the Virgin covered by a canopy.
The processions are followed by hundreds of nazarenos, dressed in long capes, their faces covered by masks. The pasos are carried by the costaleros, or bearers, who are guided by the capataz, or leader. Most of the images are supreme works of art, some go back to the 16th century. Among the finest are: Jesús de la Pasión, El Gran Poder, and El Cachorro. Only the face and hands of the Virgins are carved, but their clothing and ornaments are essential in their appearance. Originally very austere, the Virgins’ appearance has evolved into the sumptuousness of today. Juan Manuel Rodríguez Ojeda, the costumier of the Virgin of Macarena, was the originator of an elegant and luxurious style which enhanced the beauty of the images throughout all Andalusia.