We arrived at Sevilla on Wednesday, and our friend took us to the old city center right away. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the most famous festivity in Spain. And Sevilla is the center of this celebration.
We were extremely fortunate as our friend, a local Sevillano, got us reserved seats so we could admire the spectacular processions.
The breathtaking La Giralda by the Cathedral.
The streets were extremely crowded.
Floats (wooden sculptures of Jesus and Mary) are carried by different brotherhoods.
They're beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and candles.
I noticed that only the image of Mary goes under a canopy. Her face displays grief for her son.
Whenever a float passed, the crowd turned silent and all stood up. Some people became quite emotional. The processions displayed such sober beauty. I've never seen anything quite like it.
People who take part in the procession are dressed in robes and hoods, holding long candles or carrying wooden crosses. The ones carrying crosses don't have pointed hood. Their robe colors vary according to the brotherhood. Brass bands follow, playing chapel music.
A light scene: A young kid collecting wax from the procession walkers' long candles. Look what a large wax ball he's formed!
