Lunes Santo - Martes Santo - Miércoles Santo

Lunes Santo

It rained Monday morning, which meant that several pasos canceled their processions altogether. Those that left later in the day once the rain subsided were met with a second burst of rain at around 8pm. Fearing the worst, the processions were forced to head to the nearest church in order to seek refuge. Several pasos feature images that date to the 1600s, and needless to say the rain can damage their polychrome finish. Covering the images threatens them with sudden exposure to extreme humidity. This can prove even more devastating if the wood starts to swell risking the possibility of warping and cracks. Thus, a good roof is the only real option for sound protection.

"El Beso de Judas" entering Plaza de La Encarnación

A penitente (penitent) of "Las Aguas" near El Postigo ...check out the bare feet
This hermandad maintain close relations with Mexico, note the Virgen de Guadalupe

"El Museo" leaving the Cathedral after the rain, bound directly for the Museo de Bellas Artes along calle de la Constitución
The Ayuntamiento decorated with banners and lit at night

Martes Santo

"San Estéban" entering Plaza de El Salvador

"Los Estudiantes" leaving the Rectorado of the University of Seville


...in front of the main entrance to the Real Alcázar...the Cristo, attributed to Juan de Mesa (c. 1620)
"Dulce Nombre" leaving Parroquia de San Lorenzo

Costeleros beneath the paso del misterio of "San Estéban" (again)
...the paso of the virgen about to execute La Entrada to the Parroquia de San Estéban
..."San Benito" following closely behind

From here we went to see "La Candelaria" make its way through the Jardines de Murillo by candle light on its return to Parroquia de San Nicolás. Sorry, no pictures!

Miércoles Santo

Paso del misterio of "Carmen Doloroso" in La Alameda ...my friend Antonio and I found the Roman columns to be a fitting backdrop...
...and its virgen
La Salida de "La Lanzada" ...Check out the balcony - not a bad way to catch the show.
...entering calle Trajano
La Pieta de "El Baratillo"
"San Bernardo" in Barrio Santa Cruz

"La Lanzada" (again) leaving the Cathedral
Antonio had to run at this point, but from the cathedral I headed back to my neck of the woods to join Aaron, Luis, and Dorleta to see "Buen Fin," "La Lanzada" (for a third time), and the return of "Los Panaderos" to our local parish church.

Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday)

Semana Santa officially began yesterday. Each paso must leave its church (La Salida), make its way to Plaza de La Campana to enter the Carrera Oficial (Official Route) leading toward the Cathedral, pass through the inside of the Cathedral and out the other side before returning back to its starting place (La Entrada). So far, the distinction for longest duration goes to the Real y Fervorosa Hermandad Sacramental del Señor San Sebastián del Prado y Cofradía de Nazarenos de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Victoria y María Santísima de la Paz (La Paz), which started at 1pm and returned to its starting point at around 1am - 12 hours! La Estrella, thanks to thousands of nazarenos, took the longest time to pass a single spot at 75 minutes. I'll try to keep updating regularly.

"La Paz" in the Parque de Maria Luisa

La Salida de "San Roque"

"La Borriquita" en Plaza de El Salvador
On the streets...

"La Amargura" headed towards La AlamedaEl Cristo de "El Amor" by Juan de Mesa (c. 1618) a half-block from my apartment
"La Hiniesta" behind the parish church of San PabloThe palio of the Virgen de "La Estrella" dancing a paso doble before the shrine of the Virgen de "El Baratillo," behind the Plaza de Toros