Easter is celebrated not only in Madrid, but throughout all Spain. On a spiritual level, the Holy Week is a very important period for many Christians, but for many other people Easter Week just means one thing: holidays! After months of cold winter, the springtime and the good weather are suddenly here, and the idea of spending the first real vacation of the year makes many non Christian people celebrate  Holy Week in many different ways.

But the most traditional Easter Week is celebrated with a series of solemn processions around Madrid, with Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Good Friday) both public holidays in the city. Though not as dramatic as in Andalucía, Madrid’s Easter Week processions are still an impressive and moving sight.

There, processions are led by penitents dressed in long robes and pointed hoods. They usually hold candles and march in silence through the streets of the capital. Madrid has celebrated the death, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ since the 15th century. The “costaleros” parade with giant religious figures on their shoulders and they are traditionally men who feel deeply proud struggling with their heavy religious statues.

The statues usually depict the various scenes leading up the crucifixion of Christ. The processions are always accompanied by drum bands which play instrumental music to march. There are processions spread all over the city. They are celebrated from Thursday to Saturday. The best area to see them is in and around the Plaza Mayor.

It is very important to respect the customs of the people, and to watch in relative silence all of the procession, especially if they are silent parades. There are special Christs or Virgins for Madrileños to venerate, such as “Cristo de la Fé y del Perdón”, “Santa María Inmaculada Madre de la Iglesia”, “Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Salud y María Santísima de las Angustias” or the “Virgin Maria Santísima de la Esperanza and Jesús del Gran Poder”.

They celebrate Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and finally Easter Sunday.

Don’t miss this beautiful Spanish religious festival. You’ll like it very much and you’ll get to know new customs and rituals and discover the Spanish capital and its nice people. Rent Apartments in Madrid and enjoy the best accommodation.