Semana Santa, Granada. Alhambra brotherhood.
Spain is famous for its Holy Week (Semana Santa) traditions. It’s a tribute to the passion of Jesus by Catholic brotherhoods, with processions on the streets of almost every Spanish city during the week before Easter. The brotherhoods have their origins in the Middle Ages, though a number of them were created later during the baroque period.
Elaborately decorated floats (pasos) with wood or plaster sculptures of Jesus and Virgin Mary are carried through the streets from their parish church to the cathedral and back. The Pasos can weigh up to five metric tons. In front of them walk the Penitentes, dressed in long robes, followed by women in black carrying candles, groups of Nazarenos, and brass bands comprising up to a hundred persons. Good Friday (commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus) is the climax, when the processions leave the churches at midnight and arrive at the cathedral at about 2:30 in the morning.