Easter Week in Marbella: discover all its traditions and customs

Easter Week is the most passionate time of the year, in addition to being a cultural and social milestone in Marbella’s calendar. As in almost all Andalusian cities, the Easter holidays on the Costa del Sol are a tradition loaded with sacred feeling. This “holy period” could very well be a time of reflection and slowing down to make positive improvements in our lives. The Easter Week in Marbella kick off with Palm Sunday, when Christ’s entrance to Jerusalem is commemorated and ends on Easter Sunday.

 

Here is everything you need to know about this week of penitence so you can experience the thrill, breathe in the aroma of orange blossom and incense wafting around the whole city and enjoy the profound singing of a good saeta flamenco religious song, followed by the sound of the bell indicating the subsequent “lifting of the float” and “we go bravely forward.” Easter Week in Marbella and the Costa del Sol is to be experienced.

 

What to expect from the Easter week processions in Marbella

 

 

During Easter Week in Marbella, you will see impressive and beautiful thrones with artistic representations of Christ or the Virgin Mary. The different floats are decorated with gold or silver and also bear dozens of candles and hundreds of pretty flowers. Given their weight, the Marbella thrones are carried by 50 to 80 people, usually men, who will pass through the streets of the city. In addition to the processions, there is also a cortege comprising Nazarenes (or penitents) who are dressed in tunics, capes and capirotes (conical hats). And all this is accompanied by music played by different trumpet and drum bands hired by the different brotherhoods for the occasion.

 

Easter week in Marbella

 

 

Palm Sunday  (La Pollinica)

The traditional Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo, María Santísima de la Encarnación y Santa Marta, la Pollinica, begins its journey from the Parroquia de San Pedro on the morning of Palm Sunday and its state of penitence passes through the streets of the centre accompanied by around 300 penitents.

Easter Monday  (Cristo de la Columna)

The Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo Atado a la Columna y María Santísima Virgen Blanca have their procession on Monday from the Ermita del Santo Cristo and are accompanied by some 325 Nazarenes dressed in white capirotes and green tunics.

Easter Tuesday  (El Cautivo y Santa Marta)

The Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo y María Santísima de la Encarnación y Santa Marta begins its procession on Easter Tuesday from the Encarnación and is escorted by 350 penitents wearing tunics and black capirotes. One of the most beautiful parts that we recommend you see is the passage of this procession along calle Virgen de los Dolores.

Eastern Wednesday (Cristo del Perdón y el Nazareno)

The Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo, María Santísima de la Encarnación y Santa Marta has its procession on Wednesday from its Casa Hermandad por Nueva Andalucía. Conversely, Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima del Mayor Dolor begins from the Encarnación and is accompanied by 225 Nazarenes, 110 bearers and over 40 Mantillas wearing black lace headscarves.

Easter Thursday (Silence, Love and Nazarene)

The Silence starts its penitence from the Parroquia de San Pedro. The Cofradía de Nazarenos del Santísimo Cristo del Amor, María Santísima de la Caridad y San Juan Evangelista is the most ancient carved piece that is carried through the streets of Marbella, so it is something that you must not miss. Conversely, the humblest procession is the Nazarene that starts from San Pedro with over 600 brothers, but is only accompanied by 9 Nazarenes and 9 Mantillas for each ‘saint.’

Good Friday  (Yacente and Soledad)

The Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo, María Santísima de la Encarnación y Santa Marta pass through Nueva Andalucía, starting its journey from its Casa Hermandad.

The state of penitence of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad starts from the Iglesia de la Encarnación and passes through the streets of Marbella.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday in Marbella is experienced in a totally different way, since it is a state of penitence that is very luminous and joyful and passes through the streets of San Pedro and Marbella followed by brothers from all the brotherhoods.

 

 

Tradition and customs

 

The images

 

 

The main attraction of Holy Week in Spain is the procession. The images kept by the churches during the year are taken out on a tour, mounted on beautiful floats and accompanied by beautiful floral embellishments. Images of Virgins, Christ, crucifixions or Nazarenos, among others, represent the Passion and death of Jesus of Nazareth. The procession is accompanied by a procession around the streets and all the people come together to watch it and pray. If you are passionate about art, you cannot miss this religious expression which features sculptures by the best Spanish carvers as well as an excellent example of metalwork.

 

The Nazarenos

 

 

Nazarenos are adherents of different religious brotherhoods that accompany their images in procession. Their outfit is none other than a robe and cape accompanied by a capirote, a type of conical hat that, in most cases, covers the face. Also known as penitents, they are responsible walking in front of the images holding candles and incense. They are one of the symbols of Holy Week, so you won’t be able to ignore them.

 

The mantillas

 

 

One of the most ancient and singular traditions of Andalusian Easter Week are the Mantillas, women dressed in mourning and wearing a peineta or comb who walk the procession. This show of respect is an ornament for the hair (comb) that is covered by a lace headscarf.

 

La Saeta

 

 

La saeta is synonymous with Easter Week and is the most significant expression of this time. It is a totally religious song that is sung during the day of Passion. It is a song full of sentiment that is addressed directly to the carved piece. If you come to see Easter Week, be sure not to miss the chance to enjoy one of the most emotional and beautiful moments of the procession.

 

Incense and wax

 

 

Incense is a very characteristic display that indicates that it is Easter Week. Conversely, wax tells us that the procession has passed, since it is very normal to see children behind the penitents collecting the wax that drips from the religious candles and making big balls out of it.

 

Desserts and sweets

 

 

Many are the traditions that accompany the Week of Passion, but the sweetest one are the pastries. It is at that time when traditional sweets are made, such as torrijas or French toast which are toasted and bathed in milk and honey, crumbed and then fried. Also very traditional are the delicious pestiños (beignets) and buñuelos (fritters). Exquisite!

 

Curiosities about Holy Week

 

 

• Holy Week in Andalucia has its origins in the 16th century, when religious brotherhoods began to hold processions in the streets to display their images and venerate their saints.
• The first recorded Holy Week procession in Andalucia was held in Seville in 1591. The Marquis of Tarifa performed the first Via Crucis from the Casa de Pilatos to the Cruz del Campo.
• The brotherhoods are responsible for organizing the processions, and many of them have centuries of history. These brotherhoods are made up of men and women who march in tunics, pointed hoods, and other characteristic elements.
• Music is a fundamental part of Holy Week processions in Andalucia. Bands accompany the brotherhoods playing processional marches, which are usually very emotional and solemn.
• In some cities, such as Seville and Malaga, the religious images carried in the procession are authentic works of art, created by famous sculptors such as Juan de Mesa or Martínez Montañés.
• Nazarenos are the members of the brotherhoods who march in the procession wearing tunics and pointed hoods. Each brotherhood has its own color and tunic design.

 

 

• Costaleros are responsible for carrying the floats of the images in the processions. They are usually young and strong men who bear the heavy floats on their shoulders.
• Holy Week in Andalucia is also known for its gastronomy. During these days, typical dishes such as vigilia stew, torrijas, or pestiños can be tasted.
• One of the most outstanding features of Holy Week processions in Andalucia is the silence kept during the procession. Nazarenos and costaleros march in complete silence, and spectators also usually observe silence and respect.
• The saeta is a religious song that is sung during Holy Week processions in Andalucia. It is an improvised song that is directed at the religious images that march in the procession.
• Holy Week in Andalucia culminates on Easter Sunday, with the procession of the Resurrected in some cities. In others, the festival concludes with the Encounter between the Virgin and the Resurrected.
• Holy Week is also an important economic driver for Andalucia, as it attracts thousands of tourists every year who have a significant impact on the hospitality and tourism sectors.
• Is a celebration deeply rooted in the popular culture of the region, and it blends faith, tradition, music, gastronomy, and the devotion of Andalucians.

 

 

Other outstanding Easter Weeks

 

If you have already decided that you are going to enjoy Easter Week on the Costa del Sol, we have selected some places that are worth visiting.

 

 

City of Malaga

 

Malaga could not be left out of this section, since in addition to its impressive historic and cultural legacy, this city experiences one of the most emotional and spectacular Easter Weeks in the world. Whether you are Christian or Atheist, the faith of its Nazarenes and its entire atmosphere will surely make your hair stand on end. And if we have still not convinced you, remember that during Easter Week in Malaga, you can see famous like Antonio Banderas.

 

 

Alternative plans for Easter Week

 

Adventure and nature sports

Easter week is ideal for loading off adrenaline, so we suggest you practice an adventure sport in Marbella. Put your physical ability to the test and go canyoning, rafting, bungee-jumping…  Another alternative plan could be hiking or tourism cycling. Marbella and the Costa del Sol offer a multitude of spectacular routes to enjoy active nature.

 

 

Doing wine tourism

Another way to make your Easter holiday different is to enjoy wine tourism or wine-related tourism. Take a route through the most interesting wine cellars on the Costa del Sol and enjoy savouring the best wines of the province of Malaga.

 

 

Enjoy an exclusive and relaxing beauty treatment

Our favourite alternative plan for Easter Week is to relax while receiving a delicate massage or enjoying the benefits of hydrotherapy. Let yourself be spoiled by the best professionals in beauty and gift yourself a personal treatment at Amare SPA by Germaine de Capuccini. Your mind, and above all, your body will thank you for it.

 

 

Curiosities about Holy Week around the world

 

 

• Philippines: In the city of San Fernando, in the province of Pampanga, a unique Holy Week is celebrated with real crucifixions. Some devotees allow themselves to be crucified in a representation of the Passion of Christ as an act of penance.
• Mexico: Holy Week is an important celebration in many cities in Mexico. In Taxco, the streets are covered with flower petals for the Palm Sunday procession.
• Italy: In Sicily, Holy Week is celebrated with religious processions that include ancient religious statues and elaborate floats. The city of Enna is especially known for its celebrations.
• United States: In New Orleans, Louisiana, Holy Week is celebrated with unique-style parades and festivities, such as the Mardi Gras celebrations culminating in Fat Tuesday.

 

New Orleans Easter parade – Credit rove.me

 

• Greece: In some parts of Greece, especially on the island of Corfu, Holy Week processions are celebrated with fireworks and traditional music. Breaking plates as a symbol of good luck is also common.
• Israel: In Jerusalem, Holy Week is celebrated with the Good Friday procession, which follows the path that tradition holds Jesus took on his way to crucifixion. Thousands of pilgrims participate in this procession.
• Portugal: In Braga, Portugal, Holy Week is celebrated with a procession known as “Ecce Homo,” where participants wear traditional costumes and recreate scenes from the Passion of Christ.

 

Bottle kicking Hallaton – Credit Wikipedia

 

• Poland: In Poland, Easter Monday is celebrated with the tradition of “Śmigus-Dyngus” or “Wet Monday,” where people throw water and play pranks.
• United Kingdom: In the village of Hallaton, England, an ancient tradition of “bottle kicking” is celebrated, where participants compete to carry a barrel of beer to their team.
• Sweden: In Sweden, children dress up as “Påskkärringar” (Easter witches) and go from house to house to receive treats, similar to Halloween trick-or-treating in other places.

 

Holy  Week – wikipedia

 

Recharge your batteries at Amàre Beach Hotel Marbella

 

 

Our four-star hotel recommended for adults is located on the seafront in the centre of Marbella. At Amàre Beach Hotel Marbella you can enjoy fabulous rooms and suites, a swimming pool, exquisite gastronomy, rooftop bar with sunset views and spa treatments by Germaine Capuccini. Book today and take a step towards your unforgettable holiday in Marbella. #WhatAFeeling!