Semana Santa in Sotogrande, Málaga & Seville
Spain’s Holy Week, or Semana Santa, are the seven days prior to Easter Sunday. Although it started as a religious festival, celebrated in many countries with large Christian populations, it has become a beautiful tradition for everyone in Spain.
Sotogrande is located near Seville and Malaga, two of the most popular cities to experience Semana Santa, but…
What is the Semana Santa celebration in Spain?
During a complete week, processions are held throughout the city streets, typically featuring large floats depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, along with images of the Virgin Mary and other saints. Members of local brotherhoods or “cofradías” carry the floats on their shoulders, dressed in traditional robes and pointed hoods, while crowds of spectators gather to watch.
The streets are decorated with flowers and colored banners, and many people dress in their finest clothing to participate in the festivities.
It is a Christian festivity, but Semana Santa holds a relation with their past Islamic rules.
For centuries, Spain was under Islamic rule, especially in Andalusia. The concept of carrying religious images on large, decorated platforms was a common practice in Morocco, and it is believed that this tradition was introduced to Spain by the Moors.
The costumes worn by those participating in Semana Santa processions are reminiscent of traditional Moroccan dress. This can be seen in the use of pointed hoods or “capirotes,” which were traditionally worn by the Moors and are now worn by participants in Semana Santa processions in some parts of Spain.
Did you know that many Spaniards even take days off to attend to the Semana Santa with their friends and family? Semana Santa is a very typical celebration, and it is considered one of the most important events in the Spanish calendar. In Seville over 500.000 people attend.
Semana Santa are seven days of pure joy, family friendly and very spirited. Plus the combination between the excellent gastronomy, the antique architecture, the decor, the costumes, the marching bands playing live music all day long and the cosmopolitan ambience of Seville and Malaga ensure a wonderful celebration!
How is Semana Santa and Easter celebrated in Sotogrande and San Roque?
Sotogrande, considered the exclusive urbanisation area of Marbella, has a very peaceful and relaxed lifestyle, therefore, we do not have overcrowded celebrations like Málaga or Seville, but we receive more international and Spanish visitors for Semana Santa, especially for the Easter weekend. Apart from our regular golf, tennis, and polo tournaments and gastronomic events, Sotogrande hosts special celebrations for this week. Some of those events are presented below, we recommend to book everything in advance, hotels, restaurants and activities…
Activities during Semana Santa in Sotogrande:
Semana Santa in La Reserva Sotogrande for children: activities throughout the week, from golf and tennis to horse riding and water sports, all run by an amazing team of teachers. More details here: Holy Week Camp in La Reserva Sotogrande & more here. Events for April for adults and children, click here.
Semana Santa – Easter camp at La Reserva 2023
For details about the Religious Ceremonies in Sotogrande, click here.
You can download the schedule of the parades in San Roque, clicking here.
Polo Spring Fest this Saturday 8th. + Iberian Polo Tour tournaments during Holy Week in Sotogrande, more info here
Semana Santa Market in La Marina Sotogrande, April 6, 7, 8 and 9th. from 10am to 2pm.
Thank you and Happy Easter!
Happy Easter from Noll Sotogrande Real Estate
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