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The origins of Holy Week can be found in Jerusalem's Crucis where, in the 4th century AD, believers followed the route taken by Jesus Christ on his way up to being crucified. This tradition was exported by pilgrims to Italy, where brotherhoods were founded and penitential processions organised.

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In Spain, these Holy Week processions began in the 15th century when Franciscans created brotherhoods that have kept their name up to the current day. All towns and villages have their own Holy Week, but we have selected some of the most representative celebrations.

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- Seville
The Holy Week is one of Seville's most important spring events. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, the centre of the city is crossed by various brotherhoods that take the penitentiary route to the cathedral: the brothers (members of the brotherhoods), dressed as Nazarenes or penitents, accompany the figure of Christ or the Virgin Mary carried on the shoulders of the bearers for a few hours. An anonymous saeta or sung oration can emanate from the crowd or a balcony, above all when entering the church. Everyone can bring their own style to these religious flamenco songs.

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Did you know...?
- Some 57 brotherhoods cover Seville over 8 days.
- The oldest brotherhood is the 650 year-old El Silencio.
- A Virgin figure weighs around 1,500 kilos and a Christ around 2,000 kilos.
- The smallest and oldest Christ is the Sant�simo Cristo de Vera.

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- Badajoz
This Holy Week was declared to be of Regional Tourist Interest in February 1999. Badajoz has nine brotherhoods and 22 processions. Although quite a small number in comparison with other cities, at least 12 of these processions are fronted by 16th and 17th century sculptures of genuine artistic value.

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Did you know...?
- Badajoz has nine penitents, of which four date back to the 17th century, one to the 18th and the rest to the 19th century.
- Some brotherhoods date back to the 18th century.
- The Cristo de La Espina y Virgen de La Amargura brotherhood is one of very few in Spain whose governing body is composed entirely of women, although only men can dress up as Nazarenes. Virgen de la Soledad is another brotherhood governed by women and it provides from Extremadura (Caceres) village of Talayuela. This brotherhood does not permit men among and carrying the virgin during the procession is up to women.

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- Murcia
Better known as the Holy Week of Francisco Salzillo due to the importance of the sculptures created by the distinguished Murcian maker of religious images (1707-1783). From Good Friday to Easter Monday, Murcia is transformed into a city of Ancient Palestine. But the true popular feast begins when the children stretch out their hands to receive the first sweet of Holy Week.

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Did you know...?
- Salzillo's figures are still being used nearly three centuries after being sculpted, creating a genuine open-air museum.
- The Virgen de las Angustias, one of the most venerated figures, dates back to 1740.
- St Anthony (1746) is a truly dynamic figure, similar to the San Agust�n of the Convent of las Agustinas.� - The pick of the Holy Week of Cartagena are the brotherhoods of los Marrajos (a sort of fish whose sale funded the Good Friday processions) and los Californios (sailors of Virreinato de Nueva Espa�a that formed the brotherhood after trips to California).

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- Calanda
When the clock of Calanda's Torre del Pilar starts the countdown to 12 on the morning of Good Friday, the time stands still. On the first chime, a huge thump from an enormous clap of thunder sounds out over the whole town. All the drums sound at once and carry on for two hourse amid the thousands of faithful followers.

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Did you know...?
- The Cofrad�a del Sant�simo was founded at the start of the 17th century and has a set of rules approved by the Vatican.
- La Magdalena is the brotherhood made up of married women from Calanda.
They are dressed for mourning and wear a veil.
- Albalate, Alca�iz, Alcorisa, Andorra, Calanda, H�jar, La Puebla, Samper and Urrea make up the route of the Drum and Bass Drum that invite you to celebrate a different Holy Week, where the beat of the drums convert the hilly streets and squares into a orgy of noise to mourn the death of the saviour.

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Bambalina: Each of the drops of the canopy roof. There are 4: frontal, posterior and two laterals.
Candelabro: Candleholder during the procession of Christ.
Cofrad�a: Brotherhood that leads the procession during Holy Week.
Costalero: Bearer that carries the Christ and Virgin figures during the processions.
Fald�n: Curtain (usually velvet) that covers the lower part of the floats.
Hermandad: A brotherhood of believers that practise Christian charity.
Nazareno: Penitent that takes part in the procession.
Palio: Canopy that covers the Virgin supported by 12 poles.
Parihuela: Wooden artefact on which the religious figures are placed.
Trabajadera: Wooden planks that criss-cross the float and which the bearers use to lift the weight.
T�nica: Tunic worn by the penitents made up of a cassock, a mask and a cloak.