Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Zaragoza, Aragon, is one of the most important in all of Spain due to the resounding drums during the processions and its significant history spanning around 700 years.
During Holy Week, Spain celebrates tradition with processions where hundreds of statues and religious figures join the ‘cofrades’ and brotherhood members in the streets.
This unique and famous festivity, celebrated in only a few places across the country, brings centuries of history to life. These celebrations commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Participants wear robes with cone-shaped hats and accompany the brotherhoods through the city streets in processions. The combination of colorful streets, moving sculptures, and the sounds of drums creates a beautiful and unique scene that fully immerses you and leaves you with some of the most beautiful memories of Spain.
Zaragoza is part of a network of cities that preserve this rich tradition, making its Holy Week one of the oldest and most important in the country. With 700 years of history, you can experience it firsthand. Its attractiveness and charm were internationally recognized as a tourist interest festival in 2014.
Just a few hours away by fast train from Madrid or Barcelona, the capital city of Aragon showcases 48 different processions that traverse Zaragoza’s streets. These processions are accompanied by 16,000 ‘cofrades’ from 25 different brotherhoods, shaking the city’s ground to the rhythm of resounding drums and bass drums.
The Holy Week Day by Day
On Saturday, all brotherhoods participate in the ‘Passion’ procession, marching through the streets of the old city. This authentic spectacle starts at 6:00 PM at San Cayetano Church. At 8:00 PM, the ‘cofrades’ pass by the Santa Isabel de Portugal Church, where the community priest reads the expected announcement amidst the anticipation of the audience.
Palm Sunday is one of the most significant days of Holy Week. On this day, certain brotherhoods celebrate at various times between 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM. A particularly special event is the Station of Penitence, which departs from the Augustinian Monastery of Santa Mónica. Here, the Nazarene brotherhoods of Jesus humbly march with a sack amidst a rain of scattered rose petals on Palomar Street. This is a scene of palpable emotion.
Another procession not to be missed occurs on Holy Tuesday, starting from El Salvador School and ending at San Cayetano Church. Along the way, the brotherhood commemorating the burial of Jesus remembers the five sorrows of the Virgin. “A sword will pierce your heart,” “Behold, your father and I have been searching for you anxiously,” “Jesus carries his cross to a place called Golgotha,” “With him, two thieves,” and the fifth, “And she cried out, and was gone.”
However, undoubtedly the most tumultuous and impressive day in Zaragoza’s streets during Holy Week is Good Friday, a holiday for the city’s residents. During Holy Week, the Santo Entierro procession takes place in Spain to commemorate Jesus’ death. It is the largest procession in the country and involves all of the city’s brotherhoods.
Along the procession route, you can witness one of the most impressive events of the week. The name of the procession refers to the words Jesus spoke during his last moments on the cross, which are echoed through the beat of drums and bass drums with each step. This creates a paradoxical effect of leaving the entire city in absolute silence.
Finally, on Easter Sunday, which celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and represents a day of hope and joy, the feeling is palpable throughout the processions. This day is widely recognized beyond the country’s borders.
Before leaving, make sure to try the traditional foods of Holy Week in Zaragoza, such as the ‘torrijas,’ ‘buñuelos de viento’, ‘rosquillas de anís’, and rice pudding. These culinary delights are a must-try during the festive days in Zaragoza.