Semana Santa in Granada
Granada, once the capital of Moorish civilisation, renowned for its flamenco traditions and for the elegant Alhambra Palace, stages spectacular Holy Week festivities every year.
The spectacle of the solemn Semana Santa processions, marked by mesmerising drum beats and punctuated by flamenco saetas (traditional devotional songs), provides a constant reminder of the Christian, Pagan and Middle Eastern heritage that makes up this unique land.
Processions take place throughout the city from Palm Sunday right through to Holy Saturday, the highlight, without a doubt, being Maundy Thursday with the Procession of Silence. A large part of the city attends the procession, which departs from the Church of San Pedro on the Carrera del Darrosees.
Many come to witness the images of the pasos (litters) of Christ and the Virgin, bedecked with scores of jewels and semi-precious stones. These pasos occasionally draw to a halt to re-enact the Stations of the Cross. There is no pageant as such and references to the passion are marked by saetas. These scenes often whip up such a frenzy of emotion that many onlookers are brought to tears.
Unique to Semana Santa in Spain is the Wednesday procession, renowned for the paso "Christ of the Gypsies" or "Christ of Sacromonte" - Sacromonte is an area of Granada famous for its Gypsy cave dwellings. Last but not least is the Procession of Las Angustias on Saturday of Holy Week.
In short, a visit to Granada during Holy Week allows you a glimpse into the alluring inner soul of Spain. It is highly recommended. Please consult the local press for the times and locations of the different processions.
| Town Information: | Granada |
|---|---|
| Full Name: | Granada,Spain |
| Directions: | By Air: Armilla airport is located some 17km outside the city, on the way to Málaga. There are flights from most major European cities. By Road: the N-32 highway connects Granada to the north with the cities of Jaén, Bailen and Madrid. |
| Name: | Granada Tourist Office |
|---|---|
| Location: | Granada |
| Address: | Plaza Mariana Pineda 10, Granada |
| Email: | turismo@dipgra.es |
| Phone: | +34 958 24 71 28 |
| Fax: | +34 958 24 71 27 |
| Name: | Tourist Office at the Junta de Andalusia |
| Location: | Andalusia |
| Address: | Plaza Mariana de Pineda 10, Granada |
| Phone: | +34 958 24 71 28 |
| Name: | Spanish National Tourist Office |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | José Lazaro Galdiano, 6, Madrid 28036 |
| Fax: | +34 913 43 35 00 |
| Name: | Spanish National Tourist Office (TourSpain) |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | José Lazaro Galdiano, 6, Madrid 28036 |
| Phone: | +34 913 43 35 00 or UK: +44 (0) 20 7486 8077 |
| Name: | Spanish Tourist Board (London) |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | PO Box 4009, London, W1A 6NB |
| Email: | info.londres@tourspain.es |
| Phone: | +44 (0) 20 7486 8077 |
| Fax: | +44 (0) 20 7486 8034 |
