Random Facts About Semana Santa:

I'm sure that no one has any idea what exactly Semana Santa is...so here are a couple of the basics about Semana Santa:

*Semana Santa goes from March 16, 2008, Palm Sunday through March 23, 2008, Easter. During this weeklong celebration there are different “pasos” or religious floats that collectively make processionals throughout the entire week. These pasos last anywhere from 4 hours to 14 hours and many people from all over the world come to watch and appreciate them.

*Sevilla is one of the important cities for Semana Santa and is home to three of the most famous pasos in the country.

*You can rent a chair in the center of the city on the main road where all of the pasos pass by in order to see all of the processionals for 100 Euros a year. Many times these chairs/spots are passed down by family members and are very hard to come by.

*Everything is closed during Semana Santa, other than really large places and cafes/bars.

*Everyone has the week of Semana Santa off in Spain, everyone!

*Thursday-Sunday are the most important days during Semana Santa. At midnight on Thursday (technically Friday morning) the pasos leave their home churches, pass through the cathedral and head back to their home churches to symbolize Jesus’ death and to start the next four days of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.

*It takes about 40-50 men to carry one paso, and these men trade in and out throughout the course of a processional.

*During Semana Santa there are men, dressed like Klan members from the KKK, who are called Nazarenos that are a part of the tradition of Semana Santa. They dress in these outfits and walk along in the processionals as a way to show penitence and grieving for the Passion of Christ. Although I know this information, it’s still creepy to see these men walking around in their white robes and pointy hats.

*Torrijas are a Spanish delicatessen that are basically like French toast with a honey or cinnamon and sugar topping. This food is a tradition during the week of Semana Santa and I had it for breakfast today!

*A hotel room normally goes for (at minimum) 200 Euros a night during Semana Santa, and must be booked months in advance!

 Hopefully this clears up Semana Santa a little more for you. It is all pretty overwhelming now but once a see a paso and experience the culture a little more, I’m sure that you will hear all about it!