The Easter celebrations in Cartagena are renowned throughout Spain for their emotive processions and stunning embroidered costumes with hoods. The processions are organized by four principal cofradas (fraternities, "marrajos" and "californios") and numerous sub-groups, some dating back as early as the 16th century, each with its own history and traditions. Silence, all white costumes and narrow ancient streets assist the traditional statues and vestments in creating a unique passion which cannot be expressed by words alone.
The longest week of the year is actually 10 days: from Dolores Friday (before Palm Sunday) to Easter Sunday. The light and grandeur of its processions has fascinated fellow Spaniards for years. Declared to have National Tourist Interest in 1968, the processions feature richly embroidered costumes, remarkable emotive religious images, spectacular thrones, special color arrangements and special regiments of Jews and grenadiers. Ilustre Cofradia de Santismo Cristo del Socorro, founding in 1691, presents its Way of the Cross float at dawn on Dolores Friday, with penance stages before the Rosell Virgin (former patron saint of Cartagena) and its current patron saint, the Charity Virgin. The first mass is held on the patron saint's feast day.
The Jesus Resurrected brotherhood members are called marrajos by the people of Cartagena, a reference to days gone by when money for the procession expenses were raised by selling grilled shark on Good Friday. Today, their most important procession takes place on the evening of Good Friday, with the Procession of the Blessed Burial (Procesion del Santo Entierro). All the best vestments and artwork, including contemporary work by Capuz, is put on display. The Bishop of Cartagena and the entire Town Council accompany the spectacular golden, jeweled throne of Santo Sepulchro.
The high point for most locals is when the throne of the virgin enters the Santa Maria de Gracia church. Thousands join together in singing the popular religious song of Cartagena, Salve (save). This is also the church from where most of the processions begin.
Like its Carnaval, Cartagena shares powerful Semana Santa processions within its small autonomous region of Muricia with the cities of Murcia and Lorca.
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The Easter celebrations in Cartagena are renowned throughout Spain for their emotive processions and stunning embroidered costumes with hoods. The processions are organized by four principal cofradas (fraternities, "marrajos" and "californios") and numerous sub-groups, some dating back as early as the 16th century, each with its own history and traditions. Silence, all white costumes and narrow ancient streets assist the traditional statues and vestments in creating a unique passion which cannot be expressed by words alone.
The longest week of the year is actually 10 days: from Dolores Friday (before Palm Sunday) to Easter Sunday. The light and grandeur of its processions has fascinated fellow Spaniards for years. Declared to have National Tourist Interest in 1968, the processions feature richly embroidered costumes, remarkable emotive religious images, spectacular thrones, special color arrangements and special regiments of Jews and grenadiers. Ilustre Cofradia de Santismo Cristo del Socorro, founding in 1691, presents its Way of the Cross float at dawn on Dolores Friday, with penance stages before the Rosell Virgin (former patron saint of Cartagena) and its current patron saint, the Charity Virgin. The first mass is held on the patron saint's feast day.
The Jesus Resurrected brotherhood members are called marrajos by the people of Cartagena, a reference to days gone by when money for the procession expenses were raised by selling grilled shark on Good Friday. Today, their most important procession takes place on the evening of Good Friday, with the Procession of the Blessed Burial (Procesion del Santo Entierro). All the best vestments and artwork, including contemporary work by Capuz, is put on display. The Bishop of Cartagena and the entire Town Council accompany the spectacular golden, jeweled throne of Santo Sepulchro.
The high point for most locals is when the throne of the virgin enters the Santa Maria de Gracia church. Thousands join together in singing the popular religious song of Cartagena, Salve (save). This is also the church from where most of the processions begin.
Like its Carnaval, Cartagena shares powerful Semana Santa processions within its small autonomous region of Muricia with the cities of Murcia and Lorca.