Tradition, processions, remembrance, commemoration, brotherhoods, sisterhoods, candles, floats, a variety of costumes and more, are all part of what you will experience during Almuñécar Semana Santa (Holy Week)!  This usually spans over 8 days, with multiple processions through town during the day or night.   Keep reading to see what will be happening this  year.

What is Semana Santa (Holy Week)?

Semana Santa in Spain is the week prior to Easter each year.  This is celebrated by Catholic brotherhoods or fraternities, known as cofradía.  Many of the cofradía associations have their origins in the Middle Ages.  Each cofradía carries different floats and is adorned in different attire, usually hooded cloaks.  This is the annual tribute to Jesus Christ and the cofradía perform penance processions on the streets throughout the week.  It usually begins with a procession on Palm Sunday, the Sunday prior to Easter.

Semana Santa is celebrated throughout Spain, but is particularly spectacular in Andalucía.  Even the smallest of towns will have something, but it is a sight to see in the bigger cities as well, especially in Granada, Málaga and Seville.

Many of the processes throughout the week will consists of people wearing the nazareno or penitential robe.  The exact colors and forms of these robes depend on the particular procession.  Up to 100 brothers may carry the large decorative and heavy floats (trono), on their multiple hour route around town.  Those who carry the floats usually do not wear the hoods and cloaks, they will have another outfit to wear.  They need to step in rhythm and continue at a steady pace.  There are often several resting periods built into the route.

Each float with sculptures depicting different scenes related to the Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary.  Each brotherhood owns, maintains and stores their floats, some for centuries.  Usually, the “pasos” are followed by the local marching bands performing music related to scene or the brotherhood.  People who walk with the procession are performing an act of penance, repenting their sins.

More about Semana Santa – traditions and customs.

Semana Santa Vocabulary

• Semana Santa – Holy Week
• Cofradía – Brotherhood or Fraternity.
• Nazarene – Brother within a brotherhood.  The name “Nazarene” is given to them because it is the name of the people of Galilee where Jesus spent most of his life.
• Nazareno – Penitential robe
  • Túnica cofrade – Tunic or cloak robe
  • Capirote and mask – Conical shaped hood and mask worn by some
• Trono or Pasos – Throne or Floats

All of the religious holidays below commemorate the last week of Jesus Christ’s life, with his crucifixion on Good Friday, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.  Please see school calendar here,

Almuñécar Semana Santa 2023

Semana Santa

Almuñécar Semana Santa Agenda
April 02- 09, 2023

The program for Easter 2023 is a special one.  Here is an option of downloading the full guide and maps for all of the processions with the routes.

Processions Semana Santa Almuñécar 

April 02 – Palm Sunday Semana Santa

Cofradía de la Entrada Triunfal de Jesús en Jerusalén

10:00 Blessing of the Palms
11:30 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation (as Mass ends)
14:30 Enter the Official procession route
15:30 Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. de Cala, Puerta Vélez, C/ Vélez, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Real, Calle Alta del Mar, Plaza de la Rosa, C/ Mayor Julio Fajardo , Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL CARRERA, Carrera de la Concepción, Puerta de Granada and to the Temple.

It is spectacular to see in Plaza de la Rosa

Humilde y Fervorosa Hermandad de Penitencia de Nuestro Padre Jesús del Gran Amor Despojado de sus Vestiduras y María Santísima de la Salud

18:00  Depart from the church of El Salvador
23:15   Enter the Official procession route
00:30  Return to the church of El Salvador

Route:  Church of El Salvador, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de bueno muerto, C/ Pintor Manuel Rivera, C/ Tetuán, Avda. Juan Carlos I, Carrera de la Concepción, C/ Derrumbadero, C/ Angustias Vieja, C/ Puerta de Granada, C/ Jesús Nazareno, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Vélez, Puerta de Vélez, C/ Santa Isabel, C/ Orovia, C/ Antigua, C/ San Joaquín, C/ Modern Angustias, C/ San Miguel Bajo, C/ Carmen, C/ Cueva Siete Palacios, C / Carmen Alta, Cuesta del Carmen, C/ Cántaro, Paseo del Altillo, C/ Alcalde Julio Fajardo, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, CARRERA OFFICIAL, C/ Sevilla, C/ Cariñena, C/ Biblioteca Antigua, Avda. Juan Carlos I , C/Tetuán, C/ Pintor Manuel Rivera, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de bueno muerto, and to the Temple .

April 03 – Holy Monday  – Lunes Santo

Cofradía de Nuestro Señor de la Oración en el Huerto

21:15 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
00:30 Enter the Official procession route
01:30 Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Juan Carlos I, Paseo Puerta del Mar, C/ Helga Söhnel, C/ Mayor Julio Fajardo, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL CAREER, Carrera de la Concepción , Puerta de Granada, and to the Temple.

April 04 – Holy Tuesday – Martes Santo

Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo Atado a la Columna (Cristo de los Gitanos)

21:15 Depart from the church of El Salvador
00:00 Enter the Official procession route
02:00 Return to the church of El Salvador

Route:  Church of El Salvador, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de buena muerte, C/ Pintor Manuel Rivera, C/ Tetuán, Avda Juan Carlos I, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda Costa del Sol, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL CAREER, Plaza Madrid, C/ Hurtado de Mendoza, C/ Mariana Pineda, C/ Tetuán, C/ Pintor Manuel Rivera, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de bueno muerto and his Temple.

April 05 – Holy Wednesday – Miercoles Santo

Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo del Perdón, María Santísima del Consuelo, Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Santas Verónica y María Magdalena

21:00 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
22:15 Enter the Official procession route
02:15 Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL RACE, Plaza Madrid, C/ Hurtado de Mendoza, C/ Cariñena, C/ Biblioteca antigua, Avda. Juan Carlos I, Carrera de la Concepción ( in front of Edf. Carbonell), Avda. Costa del Sol, Avda. Cala, Puerta Vélez,  C/ Vélez, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Jesús Nazareno, and to the Temple.

Cofradía del Descendimiento y Santa María del Alba (Cristo del Castillo)

21:45 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
23:15 Enter the Official procession route
02:20 Arrive at San Miguel Chapel

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda Andalucía, OFFICIAL CARRERA, Plaza Madrid, C/ Mayor Julio Fajardo, Paseo del Altillo, Paseo Prieto Moreno, Plaza de Abderramán, C/ Bikini, C/ Geranio, Cuesta del Castillo, Esplanade of San Miguel, and Capilla San Miguel/ (Saint Michael’s Chapel).

Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración (El Silencio)

23:00 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
02:00 Enter the Official procession route
02:45 Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, C/ Jesús Nazareno, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Vélez, Puerta de Vélez, Callejón del Silencio, C/ Nueva, C/ Orovia, C/ Antigua, C/ San Joaquín, C/ Modern Angustias, C/ San Miguel Bajo, C/ Carmen, C/ Cueva Siete Palacios, C/ Carmen Alta, Cuesta del Carmen, C/ Cántaro, Paseo del Altillo, C/ Mayor Julio Fajardo, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, CARRERA OFFICIAL, C/ Derrumbadero, C/ Angustias Vieja, Puerta de Granada and to the Temple.

April 06 – Holy Thursday – Jueves Santo

Real, Muy Antigua, Ilustre y Venerable Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno

18:15  Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
21:30  Enter the Official procession route
00:20 Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Costa del Sol and back, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Juan Carlos I, C/ Hurtado de Mendoza, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL Carrera, Puerta de Granada and to the Temple. 

Cofradía Nuestra Señora Virgen de los Dolores

18:45 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
22:30  Enter the Official procession route
00:45   Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Costa del Sol, Avda and back, Avda. Juan Carlos I, C/ Hurtado de Mendoza, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL CARRERA, Puerta de Granada and his Temple.

Venerable y Antigua Cofradía de Penitencia del  Santísimo Cristo de la Buena Muerte, María Santísima de la Amargura y San Juan Evangelista

19:30 Depart from the church of El Salvador
23:00 Enter the Official procession route
00:30 Return to the church of El Salvador

Route: Church of El Salvador, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de bueno muerto, C/ Puerto de la Cruz (car parks), C/ Tetuán, C/ Puerto de la Cruz, C/ Cristóbal Colón, Avda. Mariana Pineda, Avda. Juan Carlos I, Paseo Puerta del Mar, C/ Helga Söhnel, C/ Alcalde Julio Fajardo, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL CARRERA, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Juan Carlos I, C/ Tetuán, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de bueno muerto and to the Temple.

Antigua y Ilustre Cofradía Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza

20:00 Depart from the church of El Salvador
23:30 Enter the Official procession route
00:45 Return to the church of El Salvador

Route: Church of El Salvador, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de bueno muerto, C/ Puerto de la Cruz (car parks), C/ Tetuán, C/ Puerto de la Cruz, C/ Cristóbal Colón, Avda. Mariana Pineda, Avda. Juan Carlos I, Paseo Puerta del Mar, C/ Helga Söhnel, C/ Alcalde Julio Fajardo, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL CARRERA, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Juan Carlos I, C/ Tetuán, Plaza Stmo. Cristo de bueno muerto and to the Temple.

April 07 – Holy Friday – Viernes Santo

Cofradía Santa Mujer Verónica, nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, San Juan Evangelista, nuestra Señora Virgen de los Dolores

Departure from the Church of the Incarnation: 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, and 11:15
Return to the Church of the Incarnation: 14:30

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, C/ Aire, C/ Trinidad, C/ Pósito, C/ Jesús Nazareno, Plaza de la Constitución, “PASO DE SIMÓN”, C/ Vélez, Puerta de Vélez, C/ Nueva, C / Santa Isabel, various routes for the location of the Images, CELEBRATION OF “EL PASO” , C/ Real, C/ Alta del Mar, Plaza de la Rosa, C/ Baja del Mar, C/ Real, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Jesús Nazareno and his Temple.

Cofradía de Penitencia del Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia, nuestra Señora de la Piedad y San Sebastián Mártir

18:00 Depart from the Ermita of San Sebastián
21:30  Enter the Official procession route
00:00 Return to the Ermita of San Sebastián

Route:  Hermitage of San Sebastián, Plaza de La Ermita, Carretera Suspiro del Moro, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Juan Carlos I, C/ Hurtado de Mendoza, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, OFFICIAL CARRERA, Carrera de la Concepción (in front of the building. Carbonell), Carretera Suspiro del Moro, Plaza de La Ermita and its Temple (Ermita de San Sebastián).

Primitiva Archicofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz y Real Hermandad del Santo Entierro de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Maria Magdalena y nuestra Señora Virgen de los Dolores

20:45 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
23:30 Enter the Official procession route
01:15  Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, C/ Jesús Nazareno, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Vélez, Puerta de Vélez, C/ Nueva, Callejón del Silencio, Avda. Europa, Avda. de Cala, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Andalusia, CARRERA OFFICIAL, Plaza Madrid, C/ Mayor Julio Fajardo, Paseo del Altillo, C/ Cántaro, C/ Arco del Cine, C/ Alta del Mar, C/ Real, Plaza de la Constitución C/ Jesús Nazareno, Puerta de Granada and to the Temple.

Parish way of the cross of the Holy Christ of Mercy and Holy Mary of Soledad

00:30 Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
02:30Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Salida del Templo: 00.30 h
Entrada al Templo: 02:30 h

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, C/ Aire, C/ Trinidad, Plaza Nueva, C/ Vélez, Puerta de Vélez, Callejón del Silencio, C/ Santa Isabel, C/ Orovia, C/ Antigua, C/ Vélez, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Real, C/ Baja del Mar, Plaza de la Rosa, C/ Alta del Mar, C/ Arco del Cine, C/ Cántaro, Paseo del Altillo, C/ Alcalde Julio Fajardo, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, C/ Derrumbadero, Puerta de Granada and to the Temple.

April 09 – Easter Sunday Semana Santa – Domingo de Resurrección

Cofradía de la Gloriosa Resurrección de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo y Santa María del Triunfo, Reina de los Cielos

11:00  Depart from the Church of the Incarnation
14:15  Enter the Official procession route
15:45  Return to the Church of the Incarnation

Route:  Church of the Incarnation, Puerta de Granada, Carrera de la Concepción, Avda. Andalucía, C/ Sevilla, C/ Cariñena, C/ Hurtado de Mendoza, Avda. Juan Carlos I, C/ Neverías, Paseo Puerta del Mar, C/ Helga Söhnel, C/ Mayor Julio Fajardo, Plaza Madrid, Avda. Andalucía, Official Carrera, Carrera de la Concepción, Puerta de Granada and to the Temple.

Procession start/end points are usually from the following locations:

Iglesia de la Encarnación –  Church of the Incarnation (Located just behind the town hall)

Templo “El Salvador” – Church of El Salvador (located in P4)

Ermita of San Sebastián – located across from CEIP Santa Cruz

Semana Santa Carrera de la Concepcion 

Semana Santa Map of Routes

Many of the routes are outlined in this map.  It is best to click into the map, by selecting the open square in the top right corner.  Then it will open full screen and provide you with options to select or deselect routes by using the check boxes on the left side.

Tourism board agenda and routes in pdf document.

Example of La Herradura Semana Santa Schedule 2019

Cofradía de La Herradura.
Hermano Mayor: Francisco Sánchez Camacho

Viernes Dolores. Día 12 20 horas. Santa Misa de la Hermandad.

La Cofradía quiere recordar a las personas fallecidas a lo largo del 2018  y a      continuación  Solemne Besamanos, a la Santísima Virgen de los Dolores.

Palm Sunday

11:30  Blessing of Ramos in the Plaza de San José and procession to the Church where the Eucharist will be celebrated.

Holy Thursday 

19:00  Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Misa de la Cena del Señor

22:00 Via Crucis of Our Father Jesus Nazareno – Vía Crucis de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno

Itinerary : Departure from the parish church of San José, Barranquillo street; Old Town; Acera del Pilar, Paseo Andrés Segovia, streets Eucalipto, Alhambra, Unity, Canalejas and return to the Temple.

Good Friday

12:00 Holy Hour – Hora Santa

18:00 Celebration of the Offices of the Passion and Death of the Lord – Celebración de los Oficios de la Pasión y Muerte del Señor

22:00 (Two steps) Solemn Procession of the Holy Christ of the Sepulcher and Blessed Virgin of Sorrows. – (Dos pasos) Solemne Procesión del Santísimo Cristo del Sepulcro y Santísima Virgen de los Dolores.

Itinerary : Departure from the parish church of San José, Canalejas, Spain, Real, Acera del Pilar, Paseo Andrés Segovia, Barranquillo and return to the temple.

Holy Saturday 

23:00 Solemn Easter Vigil – Solemne Vigilia Pascual

Easter Sunday

11:00 Holy Mass on Easter Sunday – Santa Misa del Domingo de Resurrección

After Mass, Procession of the Most Holy Risen Christ – Tras la misa, solemne Procesión del Santísimo Cristo Resucitado

Itinerary : Departure from the parish church of San José, Canalejas street, Spain street, Real street, Acera del Pilar, Andrés Segovia walk, Eucalyptus, Alhambra street, Unity street, Canalejas street and return to the temple.

Motril Semana Santa 2023 Schedule

Photo and schedule presented by Tourism Motril  ;  Full calendar for Motril

Granada Semana Santa 2023 Schedule

Photo and schedule presented by Granada Hoy ;  Full Granada Semana Santa Schedule

Granada Province Semana Santa 

We will all enjoy Semana Santa differently this year. Here is a new tourist guide for Semana Santa in the Granada province.

Additional resources

Tourism board – Holy Week of Almuñécar.  Scroll to the end of the page for the Semana Santa links.

El Penitente Sexitano – In this blog you will see photos of brotherhoods of Almuñécar and other places in the Andalusian geography belonging to the private collection of Juan Evaristo Callejas Jerónimo, as well as read articles of opinion of our Week and Holy Week and World Cofrade in general.