After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, many cities will once again shake like never before during Holy Week. The spectacular nature of the celebrations in many corners of Spain attracts thousands of visitors, fascinated by the intensity and enthusiasm of the processions. To find out which cities these dates are most lived in, Musement, a destination activity booking platform, has put together a ranking of the 15 most Instagrammed locations during Holy Week. The well-known social network has been a good thermometer for measuring the popularity of destinations during various events for years… So don’t miss them!
Seville, 200,678 entries. The Andalusian capital leads the ranking, and there are plenty of reasons for that, as Holy Week, declared of International Tourist Interest, is one of the most important celebrations of the year. The origins of the processions in this town go back to the end of the 16th century, and after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the expectation to see the nearly 70 brotherhood parade again is at its peak. Every year thousands of people visit Seville to see for themselves the progress of the “steps” (the structure on which the religious images are placed) on the shoulders of the costaleros, from their respective churches to the cathedral.
Málaga, 55,098 entries. The second city in the ranking is again Andalusian, and Holy Week is also of international tourist importance. One of the highlights of Malaga’s celebrations is the huge processional “thrones” carried by religious images. The “thronemen” carry them and because of their enormous size, it sometimes takes more than 200 people to move them.
Granada, 48,995 entries. With more than 48,000 mentions, Holy Week in Granada comes in third place. Like those of Malaga and Seville, it is also considered of international tourist interest, which is not surprising given that in addition to the beauty of its “steps” must be added the spectacular nature of the places through which the processions pass. So if on Holy Wednesday the action moves to the hills of Sacromonte with the “passage” of the Christ of the Gypsies, on Maundy Thursday it will be the turn of the Albaicín district, while on Holy Saturday the procession leaves from the actual site of the Alhambra.
Cordoba, 33,448 entries. The scent of incense, candles and orange blossom flood the streets of Córdoba during Holy Week. The 37 brotherhoods that currently exist in the city organize the various processions, many of which are quieter and more gathered than those in other parts of Spanish geography. The carvings are truly beautiful and among the most revered are El Rescatado, Cristo del Remedio de Ánimas, Nuestra Señora de la Paz y la Esperanza, and El Esparraguero.
Cadiz, 22,932 entries. As in the rest of Andalusia, Holy Week is also celebrated with great intensity in Cádiz and during the processions that run through the streets of the city, the passion and devotion of the brothers and devotees is clearly seen. From Palm Sunday, the residents of Cadiz and the tourists who come to the capital of Cadiz can enjoy the vast artistic heritage of the brotherhoods, with engravings as prized as the Christ of Humility and Patience, made in 1638 by Jacinto Pimentel.
Huelva, 20,735 entries. In this city, Holy Week is a religious, cultural and touristic event, as many curious people come to Huelva to see and enjoy its famous processions. It is so important that it has been declared a National Tourist Interest in Andalusia.
Jaen, 16,783 entries† As in other Andalusian towns, the “stairs” are one of the central axes of Holy Week in Jaén. The sculptural quality of the statues is undeniable and the processions are a religious and cultural event, which is why this Holy Week has also been declared a National Tourist Interest. One of the most emotional moments takes place at sunrise on Good Friday, with the departure from the cathedral of the procession of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, affectionately called “El Abuelo”.
Madrid, 12,931 mentions† The first non-Andalusian city in the ranking is Madrid, in eighth place with more than 12,000 mentions on the popular social network. Musement points out that the Spanish capital attracts travelers all year round, with many taking advantage of these holidays to go on a city break. In addition to its huge cultural and leisure offer, with renowned museums such as the Prado or the Reina Sofía, and attractions for the whole family such as the Warner Park, Madrid also hosts a large number of events related to Holy Week.
Zamora, 11,057 entries. Holy Week in Zamora is the most important religious and cultural event in the city. It is so relevant that it has not only been declared of International Tourist Interest, but also recognized as an asset of cultural importance. Many come here to see the parades and “stairs” of Zamora’s 17 brotherhoods. Music plays an important role in the processions and in fact one of the most impressive moments takes place on Maundy Thursday, when the Brotherhood of Jesús Yacente sings the Misere song in Plaza Viriato.
Almeria, 10,798 entries. With more than 10,000 mentions on Instagram, Almería is in tenth place in the ranking. As in other Andalusian cities, the emotion and enthusiasm is felt in every procession. One of the most touching moments is the “meeting” of the three “steps” of the Brotherhood of the Nazarene in Plaza Emilio Pérez, which represents the meeting between Jesus the Nazarene and his Mother (María Santísima de la Amargura).
Source: Marie Claire
