Seville's Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations are among the most spectacular in the world, when thousands of hooded penitents parade through the city's winding streets.

Taking place during the week before Easter, it has held an important place in Seville's calender for centuries, with many of the rituals dating back to the 16th century.

It is an occasion of intense religious devotion as well as a fiesta and draws huge crowds, both religious and secular, from all over the world.

Some of the solemnity and pageant are captured in these images.