Semana Santa - Holy Week

The last week of lent and the week before Easter, Semana Santa is traditionally celebrated throughout all Spain, here in Andalucia are some of the most famous of the celebrations. The week is celebrated with numerous processions, each of which depict different parts of the story for the fall and rise of Jesus Christ. During the processions, although they vary from city to city, they usually consist of two floats, one with Jesus Christ and the other of the Virgin Mary.  The floats weigh a considerable amount and are carried at a very slow pace, taking several hours to travel to the church, but even through the pain, the men (costaleros) who carry the float consider it very honourable to be selected.
If you are around Andalucia during Semana Santa, firstly feel yourself extremely lucky because many of the hotels get booked up well in advance, secondly make sure to head to one of the processions to feel the true atmosphere which this religious event brings to the streets.
As the floats are carried through the streets, you will see the 'costaleros' wearing long robes, with large pointed hoods covering the faces, likened to the Klu Klux Klan but have no reflection on them, it is said that it was the K.K.K. who saw the Semana Santa processions and took a liking to how the costumes had an effect on the onlooker so incorporated it into their costumes.  The hoods are worn throughout the week to display the mourning of the death of Jesus, until the mass on Easter Sunday when the hods are removed to celebrated the resurrection.