Holy Week in Seville

The extraordinary festival of Semana Santa, celebrated in Spain since the Middle Ages

Amanda Uren

1959

A penitent child with a pacifier in his mouth Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Men crouch with an altar on their backs Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Since the 14th century, the festival of Semana Santa (Holy Week) is celebrated across Spain. In Christianity, Holy Week is the one-week period preceding Easter, the day believers celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. The week of observation in Seville is undoubtedly the most elaborate. Brotherhoods from Seville's many churches promenade through the streets to the cathedral. Some are dressed in the striking robes of medieval penitents, or nazarenos, wearing tunics, cloaks and conical hats, called capirotes. Built into the capirote is a cloth mask, which allows the sinner to repent while maintaining his anonymity. In the wake of the penitents follow exceptionally heavy floats, carried aloft by groups of strong men. These floats support original 17th century life-sized effigies of the Virgin Mary and Christ on the cross. The men bearing the elaborate floats are rendered invisible, hidden away underneath. In essence, they are wearing altars.Processions take place every day of the week. The Thursday night procession occurs at night and is lit by candles. Penitents often number in the thousands, and it can take more than an hour and a half for the procession to pass any given point.

Two penitents of the brotherhood of Vitus in tunics and hoods Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Penitents holding batons circulating among passersby Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Penitent children Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A man holds a child penitent Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A woman holding her child, dressed as a penitent, in her arms Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Spectators and a penitent with a baton Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A cook making a fire in the street Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Men sitting on the ground, resting under the altar they wear Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

The crowd of spectators look up Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A photographer addressing a penitent Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Penitent children Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A group of child penitents march with their brotherhood Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Two women on a tramline photographing penitents Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A woman selling delicacies Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Children perched on a lamppost near a church spire Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Men sitting and squatting under an altar Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A cook frying food on a fire in the street Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Two men crouched giving a drink to altar-bearers Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

A portrait of of two penitent children, including one with a pacifier in his mouth Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

Two penitents of a brotherhood mixing with the crowd of people Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images

An altar at night lit by candles Credit: Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images