Sevilla - Holy Semana Santa

Tobias Heller
7. Juli 2017
4 Min. Lesezeit

From Cordoba I make my way to Sevilla which I am really looking forward to, as it is said to be one of Andalucia's Pearls. Despite that I arrive in the middle of Semana Santa, the holy easter week which is celebrated especially in Sevilla amongst spanish people. I expect the city to be pretty busy and crowded, as the whole week religious processions will take part allover the city, the so called 'pasos', each led by a carriage carried by people, with a portrayal of an important religious person in figurative form, embedded in gold and candles. Not being an overly religious person but at the same time interested to see how the celebrations take place I arrive at Sevilla curiously awaiting the next steps.

Sightseeing

Plaza Espana - Starting by Bike

It could not be better, my host Fran offers me one of his cards so we can go around by bike in order to explore the main spots of the city. The first place we ride our bikes to is Plaza Espana, one of the most important and most prominent squares in whole Sevilla. It though is not situated in the city itself, but in a large garden called Maria Luisa Parc. When the square opens up in front of me I am amazed by the impressive impact this place has on me. It is vast and large with an empty space in the front, despite the large fountain placed in the middle. The rows of columns in the back are followed by the flow of a small river that has been created here, with several small bridges with stairs leading over it. They are said to represent the four ancient kingdoms. People on boats are flowing through the small canal. The balustrades are made of ceramics, painted in various patterns. Along the whole semi circle of the monument, small tiled Alcoves can be found, with maps marking every province in Spain and I recognize many places I have already been to.

Sightseeing & Architecture

The Cathedral & Center of Seville

The cathedral of Seville is simply put enormously large. It is indeed supposed to be the largest gothic church and also the third largest church in the whole world, following the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida and St. Peter's Basilica.

Culture & Customs

Flamenco - Hot Rhythms of the Beauty

Flamenco is a traditional dance which is especially know in Andalucia. There are some dancers performing publicly in squares such as Plaza Espana, though there are also quite pricey Flamenco Shows allover in Andalucia. While it i supposed to have its origins in Spain, Flamenco meanwhile got quite popular allover in the world, also in non-hispanic countries.

Culture & Customs

Los Pasos & the Semana Santa

While being in Sevilla, the city is completely crowded with - mainly - spanish visitors from allover of Spain, in order to celebrate the easter processions during Semana Santa, the holy week. It is a triute to the Passion of Jesus Christ and takes place in he week before easter and in the case of Seville, it sets the whole city in a state of exception. Various religious brotherhoods perform processions, the so called "pasos", which proceed through the streets of the city. It can be found in many cities in Spain, though in Andalucia it is specially glamorously celebrated. The garments the participants wear consists of some kind of tunica and the characteristic conical tip, which conceals the face of the wearer, leaving only small holes to look outside. This origins from the custom of the penitents, where people demonstrated their penance while still being unrecognizeable. The "pasos", which are carried by some participants, who are beneath the platform, contains a depiction of a holy character and is also decorated by buring candles and an overabundance of gold and decorative patterns. The rest of the procession carries candles, and children make a game out of it by collecting the downdripping wax in order to create large balls of wax. After having seen one or two processions, they all are quite similar to me, though still during the whole time of my stay, processions would take part frequently.

Sightseeing & Museum

Metropol Parasol - Above the Mushroom

As you go through Sevilla's streets you might once step into a wide open square with a strange, but yet impressive construction nestled into it. This wooden building is called the Metropol Parasol, Seville's people simply call it 'La Seta', which translates to 'The Mushroom' due to it's form. Not expecting this kind of thing as I haven't - like most of the time - collected information about the city itself, I take a look around the interwoven structure which occupies an enormous part of the square.

It is posible to go up onto "la seta", where winding paths lead allover the construction. With the entrance fee comes also a free drink, and therefore it is worth to go upstairs, have a seat and enjoy the view o the surounding city.

Sightseeing & Museum

Hello from the other Side - Monasterio de la Cartuja

Together with Rafael and a friend of his from Colombia, we stroll over to the other side of the river, where the Contemporary Art Museum is located in the former Monasterio de la Cartuja. The area around is nice and offers a complete contrast to the overcrowded city, as only a few people go over to the other side those days. The area is quite alternative, we find large walls with colourful patterns, strange sculptures in front of the museum and the museum itself is free to enter and a quiet and relaxing place.