I was lucky enough to visit the City of Leon in northwestern Spain at Easter 2002. Apart from the beautiful city and friendly people, during my stay the Semana Santa festivities were taking place, which added even more to my visit.
The City
Leon is situated on the banks of the river Bernesga. It was founded on the site of a Roman camp and has a history going back nearly 2000 years. Today it is a peaceful provincial town, well connected by roads and motorways to the key towns of the Iberian Peninsula.
It has one of Spain’s greatest Gothic Cathedrals, which was built during the 13th century, and is famous for its outstanding medieval stained-glass windows. Other impressive buildings include the Palacio Parador de San Marcos, 9th century Colegiata San Isidoro and the Casa de Botines by the Catalan architect Gaudi.
All Photographs © Graeme Phanco 2002
Leon Cathedral
Semana Santa
The traditions of Semana Santa or “Holy Week” in Leon can be traced back to the 16th century. For ten days from the Friday before good Friday until the morning of resurrection Sunday the sixteen confraternities and penitencial brotherhoods some of then having existed for four hundred years organise 30 processions with almost 100 spectacular statues. More than 20,000 hooded people, men and woman take part in these processions, carrying the images of the passion of Christ (some of them several centuries old) on their shoulders to the accompanied by musicians, also hooded playing soulful music. This is a mixture of faith, art, penitence and unanimous enthusiasm for preserving a rich and beautiful legacy.
Apart from the solemn processions it is also a time of celebration and the bars and restaurants of Leon are busy enjoying fine food, they display signs “Hay Limonada” indicating that they have the special drink of the period, which is a form of Sangria.
Some photos from Semana Santa 2002
