ARCHIVED - Cartagena prepares for the first Semana Santa procession in Spain this Friday morning

Friday of Sorrows begins at 3.30 in the morning in Cartagena as the annual Easter processions begin

The spectacle, religious devotion, colour and noise of the annual Semana Santa processions is now almost upon us, and as is the case every year the first procession in the whole of Spain takes place in the early hours of Friday of Sorrows (this Friday, March 31) in the city of Cartagena.

However, anyone keen on watching such a significant event will have to choose between getting up very early and not going to bed on Thursday night, as the “Vía Crucis Penitencial del Cristo del Socorro” will already be ending by first light on Friday, having set out at 3.30 in the morning. There then follows an exceptionally long season of religious processions in Cartagena as an additional event has been tagged onto the schedule on Easter Monday, April 10, to commemorate the 275^th anniversary of the Holy Wednesday “Californio” procession.

This means that Semana Santa in Cartagena is not only the first to start in Spain, but also the longest this year!

The 11 days of processions in Cartagena are marked by the military precision of the events, as participants march to the rhythm of the drums and remain motionless during the many stops along the route. Not for the Cartageneros the outpourings of devotion of Jumilla, or the showmanship of the spectacular biblical processions in Lorca: this is a season for observing the rituals which have become established over the centuries, and which were awarded International Tourist Interest status in 2005.

The documented history of Semana Santa processions in Cartagena goes back to 1663 and the events are held by the four “cofradías” (brotherhoods) of the Marrajos, the Californios, Resucitado and Socorro. At the heart of the parades is the 18^th-century church of Santa María de Gracia, which had to be rebuilt after the damage suffered in the first few weeks of the Civil War in 1936.

Among the most popular processions in Cartagena are those held on Martes Santo (Tuesday April 4), Miércoles Santo and Good Friday, but perhaps the most fervently supported in the one in the evening of Lunes Santo (Monday April 3).

Click here for the full program of Semana Santa celebrations this year in Cartagena.

Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena

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Members regularly return to their extended family at the La Quinta multi-ownership club within La Manga Club

Continuity, security and the constant drive to improve attract visitors back to La Quinta year after year

The 5-star La Quinta in the heart of La Manga Club, the most prestigious  sports resort development in the Costa Cálida, has forged a reputation over more than three decades as one of the finest multi-ownership members clubs in Europe, and is currently able to offer a limited number of new membership deals on both permanent and fixed 4-year term conditions.

Located in lush tropical gardens above the par-47 pitch and putt course of La Manga Club, La Quinta is within easy walking distance of the tennis centre and various shopping malls. The properties are luxury air-conditioned linked villas built in the traditional Andalusian style with views out across La Manga Club towards the Mar Menor, and those occupying them can enjoy the community’s saltwater swimming pool with swim-up pool bar, where drinks and snacks are served throughout the day.

La Quinta is also home to La Solana bar and restaurant, which is open to non-members for the superb breakfast and lunch menus!

In short, to remain at the top in a resort which has on various occasions been named the best golf destination in Europe, La Quinta have worked hard to combine a number of factors in what has proved to be a winning formula, the most appreciated according to members’ opinions being the following:

* Quinta Members return for their holidays

* Staff and Members are part of an extended family.

* Safety and security are given top priority.

* The weather is usually predictable and invariably better than at home!

* The standards both at La Quinta and throughout La Manga Club remain high.

* La Quinta always looks forward and tries to provide added interest every year!