Holy Week in Seville

Seville's Holy Week celebrations are among the most spectacular in the world, drawing large crowds who come to watch the hooded penitents parade through the streets
  
  


Holy Week in Seville
Semana Santa (Holy Week) takes place during the week before Easter and has held an important place in Seville's calender for centuries Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP
Holy Week in Seville
Starting on Palm Sunday more than 55 brotherhoods make the procession to Seville's Cathedral to commemorate the Passion of Christ. Some will make the walk bare foot Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP
Holy Week in Seville
Each brotherhood walks though the narrow streets of the city from their church to the Cathedral and back, in a tradition that dates back to the 16th century. Here penitents wait at the church for the start of the 'La Paz' brotherhood procession Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP
Holy Week in Seville
People of all ages take part. Here a young penitent waits for the start of the Santa Genoveva brotherhood procession Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP
Holy Week in Seville
A 'costalero' during the Holy Week procession of 'Los Estudiantes' (The Students) brotherhood carries the 'Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia'. Each church carries an image of Christ, the Virgin, or a scene of the Passion on a 'paseo' - a moveable float Photograph: Alberto Morante /EPA
Holy Week in Seville
The celebrations make an impressive spectacle that is both a fiesta and a time of religious devotion Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP
Holy Week in Seville
Crowds from across Spain and further afield pack into the city's streets to watch the parade Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP
Holy Week in Seville
The processions can last for hours - even through the night - depending on the distance of each church from the Cathedral Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP
Holy Week in Seville
A penitent with the 'Cruz de Guia' (Guide Cross) leads the the procession of the Santa Genoveva brotherhood Photograph: Eduardo Abad /EPA
Holy Week in Seville
The 'El Cerro' brotherhood leave a church as they start their procession Photograph: Miguel Angel Morenatti/AP
Holy Week in Seville
The feet of a penitent of the 'Hermandad de la Paz' brotherhood Photograph: Jose Manual Vidal /EPA
 

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