Valencia Trader

In Crevillent, it is worth attending the procession of the Santísimo Cristo de Difuntos y Ánimas (Christ of Souls) on the Tuesday before Good Friday, and the procession of la Muerte de Cristo, (the Death of Christ) on Good Friday, when the images of the sculptor Mariano Benlliure are taken through the streets of the town centre in total silence, broken only by the sound of the traditional singers in the town.  The Santo Entierro (Holy Burial) procession in Orihuela, on Easter Saturday, includes one of the most original figures of all Holy Week images; La Diablesa or She-Devil by Nicolás de Bussi dating from the end of the XVI Century. El Caballero Cubierto (a covered figure) and the interpretation of the Canto de la Pasión (Passion Week song) are also worthy of mention.

The Palm Sunday or Domingo de Ramos in Elx is dominated by the Procesión de las Palmas, which dates from 1371. The crowds pass through the streets carrying white palm leaves that come from the palm tree groves trees in Elx and are then skilfully made into complex figures, creating monuments or traditions of the region.

Alzira has some of the oldest celebrations. Apart from the processions, they also feature canopies of brotherhoods and guilds. Equally spectacular is the Holy Week in Sagunto, recently declared a Festivity of National Tourist Interest.

The  maritime district of the city of  Valencia is where the  Semana Santa Marinera is held, with its impressive  procesión del Silencio  (Silent procession) on Maundy Thursday, the Santo Entierro (holy Burial)on Good Friday and el desfile del Domingo de Resurrección  (a parade on Easter Sunday)

La representación de la Pasión  (acting out the Passion of Christ) in Borriol on Maundy Thursday is an open-air event that has a huge audience, or  la Rompida  (Breaking the Silence) in  l’Alcora with hundreds of drums being beaten at the same time, are some of the many acts carried out in the province of Castellón.