Traditions and culture of Andalusia | Holy Week celebrations

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the solemn celebration of Holy Week - Semana Santa

Rumbling drums could be heard from afar, rhythmically pounding out the slow rhythm of the procession. Never before had I been so close to an event of this kind, and it made a profound impression on me.

So far we've been to processions in Malaga and Benalmadena, it's definitely worth seeing something like this in person as the atmosphere is unique. I think many tourists share our opinion, the figures speak for themselves - Seville alone lost € 400 million in 2020 (Read More) due to the cancellation of the Holy Week celebrations...

Crowds of people watch the brotherhoods and hooded Nazarenes (Hermandades de Pasión) move slowly in candlelight. The smell of burning candles, incense, shouts, bells, and chimes, the sound of drums and trumpets—the processions taking place after dark provide the most extraordinary sensations.

The huge altars called pasos are carried by costaleros, members of brotherhoods who all year round prepare platforms weighing up to several tonnes.

The most distinctive are the Nazarenos, dressed in habits. They wear pointed caps on their heads to symbolise salvation, they look majestic... Their costumes and the tradition of belonging to brotherhoods are rooted in the spanish culture.

The parade routes are beautifully decorated, and festivities take place in almost every town, but the biggest ones happen in Malaga and Seville.

While the costaleros (including Antonio Banderas himself) wear heavy rigs in their sweats, in the surrounding tapas bars and restaurants, life goes on at a normal pace, hosting crowds of jubilant tourists.

Benalmadena Pueblo and Málaga on Good Friday: Below you can watch two Videos I made in 2022

Processions in Benalmadena:

Processions in Malaga: