Would you like to know about the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia? We have for you very special and interesting information on Easter here. 

During Holy Week will see demonstrations of faith in the streets, better known as «processions» organized by a brotherhood. Each of the processions may represent one or more guilds, carrying religious icons of the Passion of Christ and images of the Virgin.  Not only can you see processions, but there are penitents or Nazarenes who often use as a hood called conical hats, caps, hoods or Capirucho. Along with hats, are also used to wear a cloth mask that covers their face, this to ensure anonymous penance. The brotherhoods are differentiated by the color of the robe they wear and a holder for each.

Like elsewhere in the world, Easter is a time in Galicia to commemorate the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, where all actions focus on these occurrences to recall the history of religions. The cities of Galicia and the many towns and parishes begin Holy Week with the blessing of the branches, which are carried by young children. You will be surprised to see palm trees, branches of laurel and olive in all the streets and roads of Galicia!

It is important to know that with the passage of time, Galicia has lost much of the traditions of Holy Week that formerly had. One is for example the «Office of trebas», where with a deafening noise, he tried to imitate what happened at Calvary when Christ died. If you want to enjoy the ultimate expression of Easter, then you cannot stop going to the processions. Those that catch people’s attention are the processions of the Holy Burial, the Encounter, the Ace Caladiñas and the Virgin of Hope.

Did you know that thousands of pilgrims accompany the processions throughout the route? It is not only locals but also many foreigners enjoy this trip. Why? Just because Galicia is one of the most traditional religious communities. Is a very interesting to see how they develop the processions, rituals and celebrations as well as its well known cultural and monumental.

Turning to a specific province. Pontevedra is the center of all religious acts. The steps all week, are represented by six fraternities responsible for all preparations and activities. Likewise, the general procession of the Holy Supper takes place on Thursday. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday in Pontevedra, with an appointment to Foundry Square, where you meet thousands of people in the procession of the Borriquita. Interested in knowing more about the procession? 12.30 Sale of the Church of San Francisco and runs through the main streets of Old Town.

If you know of other processions are held, then you can attend the Tuesday of Holy Week procession, which takes place at dusk. In this, the brethren walk quietly and carry the Nazarene and the Virgin of Hope. The procession starts and returns to the Church of St. Bartholomew. The end of Lent, Ash Wednesday is given, where we might see the procession of the Blessed Virgin of Solitude and Jesus of Nazareth with the Cross. The procession starts in Santa Maria Maggiore and travels through the historic old town.

Continuing in Pontevedra Holy Week, Maundy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum. These seven fraternities that accompany one of the most amazing procession: Procession of the Steps. Good Friday Processions begin at 9 am and leave the Church of St. Bartholomew. Just in that same time, we show the output of Christ with the Cross from the Basilica of Santa Maria. Finally, on Easter Sunday, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Beautiful Love comes from the Church of San Jose de Campolongo with the Procession of the Risen Jesus, giving end to Easter in Pontevedra.

Switching to a very interesting city, it’s time to talk about Lugo. Here you can find one of the most famous processions, that of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin of Hope. Lugo has managed to maintain despite the passage of time, the tradition of the Easter celebration, except that only since the 40s, the guilds were becoming particularly important. Today, they are widely accepted, especially the Borriquita, Our Lady of Hope, the Good Jesus Christ of Forgiveness and opening up. There is no doubt that the most impressive moment of the Easter holidays in Lugo, is the parade of marine takes place at night and has the interpretation of the Salve marinera. Something unique that you cannot lose!

Now to the province of Ourense, where you can find different traditions to the views above. In the neighborhood of the Jewish Quarters Rivadavia, you will find breathtaking scenery and very peculiar. It is incredible to see how people make a procession so simple and equal to others in an act worthy of recognition and respect. It should be noted that the celebrations in Ourense, are not as popular as in other provinces of Galicia or Spain in general. However, neighborhood groups show a position of interest and that they have a great religious value and worth stopping for a moment to contemplate the local processions that pass by night through the center of the city.

There are several processions in the province of Ourense, all very interesting and attractive, but we cannot emphasize one in particular: the procession which takes place in the neighborhood of the Jewish Quarters Rivadavia. It is one of the processions that you should not miss if you’re in Ourense.

If you’d like to spend Easter in Galicia is at once a cheap flight and accommodation that suits you.