Alex Trelinski
ALICANTE is one of many cities in Spain where the Semana Santa (Holy Week) events are a ‘must see’ if you are in the area.
The city stages 25 processions between Palm Sunday and Easter Day (April 20).
Such is the high regard for the commemorations in Alicante, they were classified in 2022 as being of National Tourist Interest.
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About 30 brotherhoods and brotherhoods are involved in the processions with religious images of great artistic value, such as Spain’s biggest float depicting the Last Supper.
The streets are lit up with candles with marching bands creating a solemn atmosphere.
The Easter commemorations include Wednesday’s Procession of Santa Cruz, which, starts at 7pm from the district of the same name located on the slope of Mount Benacantil.
A statue of Jesus Christ is taken by bearers through the narrow streets of Alicante’s Old Town down to the city centre.
It then does the reverse uphill journey back to the Santa Cruz chapel.
On Thursday night, as a prelude to Good Friday- the day of the Crucifixion- the Procession of Silence takes place with two central and invaluable works being carried.
They are the Christ of the Good Death sculpted in the 17th century by Nicolas de Bussi and Francisco Salzillo’s Our Lady of Sorrows dating back to the 18th century.
As they are carried, a solemn atmosphere will ensue with accompanying music and an aroma of incense and flowers.
Other notable processions are on Good Friday morning with a succession of passion figures carried through the city’s Esplanade.
That will also be the setting for the Easter Day procession of the Virgen de la Alegria next to the statue of the Risen Christ
