Holy Week is a religious celebration, with great tradition throughout Spain, in which the death and resurrection of Jesus is evoked. In the Christian calendar, it coincides with the last week of Lent and takes place between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

The processions turn this Christian celebration into a great manifestation of faith and devotion.

In Galicia, seven Holy Week festivities have been recognized as of “Tourist Interest in Galicia.” We are talking about those of Fisterra, Cangas, Paradela, Betanzos, Mondoñedo, Santiago de Compostela and Lugo.

In addition, to the Holy Week of Viveiro and to the Holy Week of Ferrol, they have been granted the distinction of “Festivity of International Tourist Interest.”

In this article, we will give you information about some of them.

Holy Week in Viveiro

We start with one of the celebrations that has been awarded the title of “Fiesta of International Tourist Interest”: the Holy Week of Viveiro, in the province of Lugo.

The procession of the Last Supper and the procession of the Prendimiento begin on Holy Thursday. The first has its origin in 1808, when an artisan took sailors from the port of San Cibrao as models to represent the figures of the Apostles. The second, organized by the Brotherhood of the Prendimiento, impresses with its red and white tunics and hoods.

On Good Friday, the procession of the Encounter is celebrated, where the figures of the Falling Christ, the Dolorosa, St. John and the Veronica take to the streets. The multitude of the faithful accompanies them from the balconies and the streets. Finally, on the same day, the procession of the Holy Burial, in which the bearers dress in black, with a long tail and a large hood with a mask.

Holy Week in Ferrol

The other celebration under the recognition of “Fiesta of International Tourist Interest” is the Holy Week of Ferrol, in the province of A Coruña.

During one week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, there are numerous events that take place and fill the streets with religiosity and passion.

The events of Good Friday stand out above all: the Holy Meeting, celebrated in the morning; the Holy Burial, in the afternoon; and the procession of the Caladiños, at night.

The latter is undoubtedly one of the most impressive. In it, total and absolute silence predominates, only the sound of the drums can be heard, the rhythm of the steps of the faithful and bearers, and the chains that they carry on their feet.

Holy Week in Cangas

In the Province of Pontevedra, the Holy Week of Cangas stands out, also considered of “Tourist Interest in Galicia.”

The religious celebrations begin on Friday of Passion, with the local festivity of the Santísima Virgen de los Dolores. The procession of the Paso de la Mesa, on Maundy Thursday, represents the Last Supper. The Virgen de los Dolores closes the pilgrimage.

On Good Friday morning, the procession of the Negation of St. Peter takes place, with a large influx of young people and the traditional “chocolatada” at the end.

Holy Week in Lugo

In the Holy Week of Lugo, the procession of the Holy Supper on Holy Thursday stands out. Since 1963, it is in force the unique privilege of the Cathedral of Lugo to make the Reservation of the Holy Sacrament with a solemn procession of the Sacred Form through the streets of the city.

In addition to this procession, the Holy Week proclamation and the daily processions through the streets of the historic center of the city of Lugo stand out.

Holy Week in Santiago de Compostela

Among the processions of the Galician capital, the procession of the Caladiños Descalzos, on Maundy Thursday, stands out, with a very penitential character due to the large crosses carried by the brothers and the heavy chains they drag from their feet.

In addition to this procession is that of the Santísimo Cristo, in which the brothers pass through the streets in white and red costumes, accompanied by the municipal music band, and that of the Students, in which boys and girls procession in costume.

As you can see, the devotion and the festive atmosphere of Holy Week make the Galician community extremely attractive at this time of the year.