Lorca Semana Santa 2012

Lorca Semana Santa, main programme 2012

Semana Santa in Lorca is a major event, the most important part of this being the famous biblical processions. These feature the exquisite embroideries displayed in the embroidery museums within the city, although these have not yet returned to full operation following the Lorca earthquake of May last year which did so much damage. The main processions of Lorca will continue as normal this year, with just a few changes to the programme, marquees erected where churches are still awaiting repairs.

Please note, all attempts have been made to ensure this information is as accurate as `possible. If you are making a special journey and would like to confirm details, please call the tourist office first. No responsibility can be taken for changes made by Cofradías at the last moment following the earthquake, and lack of comunication if details have changed. This info was correct at time of posting.

Tickets for the biblical processions are available directly from the Cofradías, the whites and blues, see main info Biblical processions, Lorca.

Main points of departure;

Paso Blanco, Calle Santo Domingo, 8, Click for map, Calle Santo Domingo, Lorca

Paso Morado, Iglesia del Carmen, Calle Nogalte, Click for map, Calle Nogalte, Lorca

Paso Encarnado, Parroquia de san Cristóbal, Rincon Macho, Click for map, Rincon Macho Lorca

Paso Azul, Iglesia de san Francisco, calle Nogalte 7, click for map, Iglesia de San Francisco Calle Nogalte, Lorca

Colegiata de san Patricio, Plaza españa, Click for map, Plaza España

Viernes de Dolores, Friday March 30th

Midnight on thursday night. At the door of the Church of San Francisco, the serenata to the Virgen de los Dolores is performed, a song to begin Semana Santa.

7.30am. Vía Crucis of the Paso Encarnado, Vía Crucis del Cristo de la Sangre.

Leaving at 7.30amfrom the Parroquía de San Cristobal, and returning to the Parroquía de San Diego

4.30pm Vía Crucis Penitencia ( Paso Morado.)

Leaving the Iglesia del Carmen, the Paso Morado climb up to the Calvery with the image of the Virgen of los Dolores, accompanied by penitents in purple robes carrying large wooden crosses.

 Click here to read our report following participation in this Vía Crucis, Click Vía Crucis Lorca Viernes de Dolores.

8pm Procesión de la Virgen de los Dolores.( Paso Azul)

Leaving from the Iglesia de san Francisco, this enters the main Avenida Juan Carlos I at around 8.30pm.

Accompanied by one of the elements of the biblical parade, but not many and some horsemen.

Passion Saturday, Sábado de Pasión, Saturday 31st March

Although the Blues and the whites are the most famous, there are more pasos in Lorca than the Blancos and Azules. On the Saturday the Paso negro, the blacks, carry the Virgen de la Soledad through the streets of the old quarter.

9am Transfer of tronosof the Paso Morado from the Iglesia del Carmen

9amTransfer of the tronos of the Paso Morado ( the purples).

8.30pm In the Iglesia de San Francisco, the Salve is performed in honour of the Virgen de los Dolores. The salve is the work of José Antonio Navarro , chapelmaster of Córdoba Cathedral in 1903 and this is the only day of the year on which this piece of music can be heard.( Paso Azul)

9.30pmProcesión de la Soledad

Leaves from the Colegiata de San Patricio through the old town of Lorca: Start Calle Santiago

Duration 1 hour, Paso Negro, 1 paso

Sunday 1st April, Palm Sunday, Domingo de Ramos

12 Midday In the Parroquia de San Cristóbal, Bendición de las Palmas

Blessing of the palms.(Paso Encarnado)

6.30pm.The procession forms up by Colegiata de San Patricio and goes along Álamo, Lope Gisbert, Príncipe Alfonso, Óvalo de Santa Paulabefore entering Juan Carlos ! at around 8pm

This parade includes elements of the biblical processionof the following Friday evening and is a spectacular procession. It´s probably the best evening to go if you don´t want to buy a seat for the main biblical processions, as although it doesn´t include all of the biblical elements, there are enough to make this an exciting occasion, and the horsemen are more reckless on this night than any other. Following the main procession, thousands of participants dressed as shepherds and townsfolk from Jerusalemfollow, waving their palms to welcome Christ.

Monday 2nd April

11am.In the seats of the Cofradías there are exhibitions on during this week showing some of the most incredible pieces of embroideries which are on show just during Semana Santa.

Open Monday to Holy Friday 10am to 2pmand 5pm to 8pm

NB On Holy Thursday and Good Friday they will be closed from 3pmonwards to prepare for the processions.

Paso Azul, Iglesia de san Francisco

Calle Nogalte, 7

Paso Blanco

Calle Santo Domingo, 8

Tuesday 3rd April

10.30pmEncuentro of two tronos.

Cristo con la Sangre con Ntr Señor  Jésus de La Penitencia  leaves the Parroquia of San Diego at 9pm and the Ntro Sr Jésus de la Penitencia  leaves the Parroquia de San Cristóbal 9.15pm.

Finally at 9.40 the Stma Virgen de la Soledad leaves the Parroquia de San Cristóbal .

At 10.30pm the three unite, in an emotional Encuentro in the Plaza de la Estrella.

Wednesday 4th April, Holy Wednesday

Between 9amand 2pmin the marquee erected in front of the Iglesia Parroquial del Carmen, the florists are hard at work decorating the tronos with flowers for the next procession.

2012 - to be confirmed. The next 3 acts are not in the official programmes for 2012 and may not be taking place, if intending to participate, please check with tourist office.

10.15pm Procesión Privativa del Encuentro

3 pasos from the Paso Blanco, San Juan Evangelista, the Veronica and Ntra Sra Virgen de la Amargura leave the seat of the Paso Blanco and go together along Calle de Juan de Toledo and Villa Escusa. At this point they split off and take 3 different routes, finally coming back together facing each other in the Plaza de España to tumultuous applause. Moments after the three have met, the Roman Infantry, carrying lit torches, and lead by a drummer marking the pace, march into the Plaza, surround the throne of " Cristo del Rescate" effectively "arresting " Jesus.

11pm. Bajada penitencial del Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia.

33 men, known as the Hermanos de Socorro, dressed in the plum red tunics of the Paso Morado carry the figure of Christ crucified down from the Ermita de la Misericordia to the Iglesia Parroquial del Carmen, accompanied by hundreds of penitents and the faithful, lit only by candles and torches. ( Paso Morado)

Midnight. Saeta to Jesus Nazareno.

In front of the door of the Iglesia Parroquial del Carmen, hundreds of people gather to hear Saetas being sung to Christ. A saeta is a form of song, its roots deep in flamenco, a song of mourning, a simple song, a lone voice cutting the night and is indescribably beautiful and emotional to listen to. Various singers will be singing.( Paso Morado)

Following this there is a Serenata to the Virgen de la Soledad, with the participation of the banda de tambores y cornetas.

Holy Thursday 5th  April, Jueves Santo

FIRST OF THE MAINBIBLICAL PROCESSIONS

7.30pm Procesión del Perdón, presided by the Paso Morado.

Leaving from the Iglesia del Carmen, via Calles Nogalte, Avenida de Portugal, Jerónimo Santa Fe, Santa Paula, Príncipe Alfonso, Lope Gisbert and Floridablanca, entering into the main area of Juan carlos I where the stands are at around 8pm. Leaving here, the procession goes along Avenida de Portugal and Nogalte, ending back at the Iglesia del Carmen.

This is the first of the two big biblical processions and shows the might of Rome, the domination of the Egyptians, the paso of the Last Supper and the suffering of Jesus before his crucifixion. It´s not the best one of all, Friday is more spectacular and contains ALLof the biblical elements, whereas this procession only contained some of them.

Midnight.

Presided by the Paso Encarnado.) Leaves from the Iglesia de san Cristóbal, and goes through the major streets of that district, namely calles Portijico, Escalante, Abellaneda, Mayor and Plaza de la Estrella and Plaza Hortalizas.

This is strictly religious, in silence, broken only by the sounds of saetas from point to point.

Also at Midnight

Vía Crucis de Penitencia. From the first station which is situated at the doorway of the Colegio de San Francisco, and right through the night, numerous groups stop and walk up to the Calvery.

Good Friday, Viernes Santo, 6th April

10.00am Procesión Penitencial del Vía Crucis.

This leaves from the door of the Colegio de san Francisco, the first station of the cross,  and is a very old procession. From here it heads up towards the Ermita de la Misericordia, located on the hilly area known by the lorquians as Monte Calvario.

Hundreds of penitents in purple tunics and wearing a cross on their chests, accompany

The pasos of San Juan Evangelista, La Virgen de los Dolores, Nuestro Señor Jésus Nazareno del Socorro  on their journey along the Vía Crucis.

What´s called a "rezaor" a prayer, literally, recites traditional orations, learnt verbally from one to the other since the 18th century, describing each of the stations of the cross. This has been taking place in Lorca since the 17th century.

8pm. The big biblical procession of Lorca, presided by the Paso Blanco.

It begins in the Capilla del Rosario and forms up along Calles Lope Gisbert, Príncipe Alfonso, and Santa Paula, entering Avenida Juan Carlos I via the Ovalo de Santa Paula. This is the most important parade of the week, hence the price of the tickets and is extraordinary.

It´s beyond description and if you´re a visitor to the region during this week is the most important procession , and well worth the money. There is a separate report about the biblical processions in the religious Murciasection. Select Semana Santa and search the articles.

Saturday 7th April

At 9am in the Colegiata de san Patricio, the ornamentation of the tronos of the Virgen de la Encarnación begins. At the same time, the fachadas of the buildings in the Plaza de España are decorated ready for the resurrection.At 9pm an act called the Vigilia Pascual begins, a vigil which for many will last through the night, followed by the symbolic burning of the figure of Judas Iscariot in the Plaza de España. This is a symbolic act, burning a figure stuffed with straw, an act which has been traditional in Lorca since the 18th century.

After the burning of Jesus, the figure of the Virgen de la Encarnación leaves san Patricio to the Iglesia de Santa María La Mayor, where she remains all night.

Sunday 8th April, Resurrection day

12.30 Midday

This year a mass in honour of Jesus arisen and the Virgen de la Encarnación is being held in the Plaza e españa instead of the normal procession

8.30pmSolemn Salve to the Virgen de la Amargura in the Capilla del Rosario, with floral offering