Semana Santa

Semana Santa is one of Spain’s most important festivals, it celebrates what we might call ‘Easter Week’ in other parts of the world. However, Easter has a lot more importance here in Spain than in other parts of the world, and some of its ‘strange’ traditions have meant that Semana Santa has drawn itself global attention. 

Semana Santa is celebrated differently throughout Spain,  Andalusia is known for its dramatic and emotional processions, especially in Seville and Málaga, where the streets fill with music, incense, and sometimes even flamenco. Meanwhile, other regions such as Castile and León offer a more solemn tone. 

However, Semana Santa has one thing in common throughout many areas of Spain,  the unusual clothing,  robes and pointed hoods worn by each of the cofradías (brotherhood) which are often quite shocking to the foreign eye. They also often carry pasos – large float-like platforms depicting scenes of the graphic scenes of the crucifixion of christ.

How is Semana Santa Celebrated in Valencia?

In Valencia, Semana Santa is not as big a festival as in other areas of Spain. That is because it often falls just after our Fallas Festival, which is our biggest celebration in Valencia. However, the seaside barrio of El Cabanyal is where the most easter festivities take place, as that is where they celebrate what is known as the Semana Santa Marinera.

Participants in Valencia’s processions often wear distinctive traditional outfits, and the streets of El Cabanyal are transformed with decorations and altars. On Good Friday, it’s common to see barefoot, silent processions that cloak the streets in a solemn atmosphere.

Here is a calendar of events taking place in El Cabanyal this Semana Santa;

Holy Thursday. Procession of the Torches

📅 17 of April – 20:00 h
📍 Avenida del Mediterráneo
The procession of Holy Monuments, accompanied by the sound of timpani and drums, afterwards, the streets are illuminated with candles.

Good Friday. Procession of the Holy Sacrifice

📅 18 of April – 18:30 h
📍 Playa de las Arenas y Calle de la Reina
The most solemn procession of the Semana Santa Marinera starts, carrying scenes of Good Friday through the maritime neighborhoods for five hours.

Easter Sunday

📅 20 of April – 13:00 h
📍 Avenida del Mediterráneo

A more joyful celebration of the resurrection of Christ and a  farewell to the Semana Santa Marinera with an incessant shower of petals thrown from the balconies, in a celebration that combines faith and joy.

 What do Valencians eat during Semana Santa!

Apart from all things related to Catholicism, it wouldn’t be a true Spanish celebration if there wasn’t some special food involved!

Mona de Pascua:

You will see Mona de Pascuas in every pastelería (Bakery) or supermarket at this time of year. They are sweet breads made from flour, sugar and eggs and often moulded in a circular shape. Traditionally, the mona de pascua would have a hardboiled egg or a painted egg in the centre, but in recent years it is becoming more common to have them made with chocolate eggs!

Longaniza de Pascua:

The Longaniza de Pascua is a traditional cured dried sausage typically eaten in Valencia during Easter.  If you are a fan of cured meats, it is similar to fuet, but a little softer and more like the texture of an actual sausage, however, as it has been cured for a long time there is no cooking required. It’s delicious!

Panquemado:

Panquemado literally means burnt bread, they are round little sweet breads and they turn a deep brown colour on top which can sometimes appear burnt and thet are usually powedered with sugar. You often see these being sold in different sixes which go from small individual ones or large ones to be shared.  Although it is a common Semana Santa treat you can also find this throughout the year.

Torrijas:

Torrijas are often described as the Spanish cousin of french toast, but in our opinion, a lot tastier! They’re made from stale bread soaked in milk and orange zest, then they are dipped in egg ,  fried, and finished with a coating of sugar and cinnamon. 

From everybody in EUROACE we wish you a happy Semana Santa and we hope you enjoy the cultural celebrations, or at very least the food!