Holy Week in Seville

Holy Week (Semana Santa) is the remembrance of the crucifixion of Christ. In Seville (Spain) they celebrate it with longduring processions. This ritual dates from mediaeval times. The participants of a procession are members of a denomination wich of are many of them in the city. A procession usually consist of two altars – one with a representation of Christ and one with a representation of Maria –, two brass bands and, may be the most characteristic, the hooded penitents. The altars weight about 2000 kilogramms en are being carried by 20 – 25 men. The altars are the proud of the denominations and sometimes centuries old.

Penitents in traditional costumes with the characteristic hoods are waiting for the procession to progress. Image: Michel Meijer

Percussionists of the brass band line up in front of the church from where the procession of their church community begins. Image: Michel Meijer

One of the altars is carried out of the church from where the procession of their church community begins. Image: Michel Meijer

A trumpeter from the brass band gives the starting signal of the procession. Image: Michel Meijer

A lady performs a flamingo style song from a balcony before the start of the procession. Image: Michel Meijer

One of the percussionists from the brass band. Image: Michel Meijer

A penitent stands before one of the altars. Image: Michel Meijer

Hooded penitents stand in the blazing sun, waiting for the procession to proceed. Image: Michel Meijer

A hooded penitent stands in the sunshine waiting for the procession to progress, watching his girlfriend on the phone. Image: Michel Meijer

The feet of the men carrying one of the altars. Image: Michel Meijer

Hooded penitents walk in procession through the street. One of the altars can be seen in the background. Image: Michel Meijer

Hooded men walk in the procession, each carrying a wooden cross on their shoulder. Image: Michel Meijer

A barefoot penitent carries a wooden cross on his shoulder and kneels on the ground in the procession. Image: Michel Meijer

A boy collects candle wax from the candles that the penitents carry with them during the procession. Image: Michel Meijer

A line of hooded penitents in the procession. Image: Michel Meijer

Some children also participate in the procession and even wear the traditional costume of the penitents. Image: Michel Meijer

An altar moves in a procession through the streets of Seville. Image: Michel Meijer

A penitent wearing a hood walks in a procession. Image: Michel Meijer

A doll, dressed as a hooded penitent, stands in a shop window and functions as an advertising figure. Image: Michel Meijer

The various church communities walk in procession across the town hall square. Here, rich and/or distinguished people sit. Image: Michel Meijer

A procession with an altar moves through the crowd in the street. Image: Michel Meijer

A hooded penitent stands in thought. Image: Michel Meijer

A procession with an altar and a brass band moves across the town hall square between the crowd. Image: Michel Meijer

A trumpet player in a procession. Image: Michel Meijer

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, Spain 2003.

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