ARCHIVED - March 31 to April 9 Semana Santa 2023 in the city of Murcia

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

The city of Murcia begins two weeks of fiestas with a marathon of penitential processions

Holy Week in the Region of Murcia is a memorable occasion, and the Semana Santa celebrations have been awarded International Tourist Interest status due to the sheer scale of what occurs here. The collection of sculptures owned by the Cofradias or bortherhoods is hugely impressive, including one of the most important baroque sculptural collections in Spain, those by Francisco Salzillo, which are paraded on Good Friday.

Although Murcia is renowned for the scale of its processions, there are many experiences to be enjoyed within the week, stripping the grandeur and pomp out of the occasion and making it all the more enjoyable for locals as an expression of their faith, community and traditions.

Don't just come to Murcia and buy a seat to watch a procession, thinking that this is what Semana Santa in Murcia is all about, because it's not! The joy of this week is watching the ‘bidding" ceremonies taking place in the streets, hearing the muffled sounds of drums in the distance, being there when the statue is lowered through the window of the church because it's too big to fit through the door, watching the stain of red robes spread across Puente Vieja as 4,000 Coloraos walk along the banks and cross the river during their procession on the Wednesday night or, for many most importantly, just enjoying a few tapas and a drink as the hustle and bustle of Semana Santa passes by.

Possibly the most attractive processions are those of the Salzillos on Good Friday morning, the "Coloraos" on the evening of Holy Wednesday and the atmospheric procession of silence on the night of Maundy Thursday.

But bear in mind that you won’t be the only one there by any means: be prepared to park outside the city centre and walk to the procession route, having to patiently work your way through large crowds!

2023 Semana Santa Program in Murcia March 31 to April 9

NOTE: ALL TIMINGS ARE PROVISIONAL PENDING CONFIRMATION AND PROCESSIONS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CANCELLATION IN THE EVENT OF ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

Friday March 31, Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows)

The first event is the last Via Crucis of Lent to take place, leaving from outside the Cathedral at 6.00 in the morning and roaming the streets of Murcia. From first light you'll see members of the Cofradia of El Amparo which is taking part in the night-time procession carrying out what is called "bidding".

Members of the Cofradia can be seen in the old quarter calling the faithful to remind them that their procession will be taking place soon. The faithful are summoned with a long instrument, reminiscent of the enormous great horns used in the Alps, which emits a harsh booming sound, almost like a donkey braying. These instruments are transported on wheeled trolleys as they're so unwieldy. Traditionally these "bidders" walked around the homes of those who had not yet paid their dues, calling them to do so and join in with the procession, but nowadays it’s more of a ritual. This happens all week, as the different Cofradias take to the streets.

In the evening is the parade of "the blues" who have their headquarters at the church of San Nicolás. This church was paid for by a doctor called Diego Mateo Zapata, who published a medical book which aroused great envy amongst his colleagues, so much so that they denounced him to the Spanish Inquisition. Hurriedly, and to prove he was a good Catholic, he paid out the enormous sum of three thousand, three hundred doubloons to build this beautiful church!

9:00 The church of San Nicolás de Barí is open for visitors to see the tronos, standards and robes which will parade in the evening. Similarly in the churches of Santa Catalina de Alejandría, San Antolín Mártir and San Pedro Apóstol. Other churches open at 10.00 (San Bartolomé) and 17.30 (San Francisco de Asís).

19.00: Procesión de la Venerable Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo del Amparo y María Santísima de los Dolores, leaving from the Iglesia parroquial de San Nicolás de Bari. (Paso Azul – the penitents are dressed in blue tunics)

Click for map, Plaza San Nicolás

Route: Calle San Nicolás, Plaza San Pedro, Calle Jara Carrillo, Plaza Martínez Tornel, Calle Tomás Maestre, Glorieta de España (by now it’s around 20.15), Plaza Cardenal Belluga, Cardenal Belluga Nicolás Salzillo Hernández Amores Trapería Santo Domingo (paso emergencia) Santa Clara Echegaray, Julián Romea, Fernández Ardavín, Santa Gertrudis Calderón de la Barca José Esteve Mora, Plaza San Bartolomé, Plaza Santa Catalina, Plaza de las Flores, Plaza San Pedro, Calle Riquelme, Calle San Benito, Plaza Mayor, Plaza San Nicolás (returning at around 23.15).

8 pasos

1. Ángel de la Pasión (1996) Sculptor: Rafael Roses Rivadavia.

2. Sagrada Flagelación (1994-96) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro.

3. Jesús ante Pilatos (1991-94) Sculptor: Antonio Labaña Serrano.

4. Jesús del Gran Poder (1693) Sculptor: Nicolás de Bussy (attributed).

5. Encuentro Camino del Calvario (1996) Sculptor: Gregorio Fernández-Henarejos Martínez.

6. San Juan (2001) Sculptor: Gregorio Fernández-Henarejos Martínez.

7. Virgen de los Dolores (1741) Sculptor: Attr Francisco Salzillo.

8. Santísimo Cristo del Amparo (1739) Sculptor: Attr Francisco Salzillo

Saturday April 1, Sábado de Pasión (Saturday of the Passion)

From around 9am, in the Plaza de San Pedro, members of the Cofradia of the most Holy Christ of Hope carry out their bidding ceremony, while all around the city stalls are set up to sell palm branches and palm decorations, made using the bleached branches of palms which have been wrapped to ensure they stay white as they grow. This is a true art form and the pieces are a real joy to behold: one of the best places to see them is in Plaza de las Flores, where the procession leaves in the evening. All day, people come and go  with flowers and palm decorations, sitting in the square enjoying tapas and coffee, and the whole place is bustling and lively.

Churches open in the morning for the general public to view the build-up and see the 8 tronos inside, so it's possible to arrive in the city late morning, enjoy a bite to eat, watch the exit from the church of San Francisco de Asís and move into Plaza de las Flores for the first evening procession of the Coloraos.

At 6.00 pm the brotherhood of the Most Holy Church of Faith leave their headquarters of the Iglesia de San Francisco de Asísi. Thier statue is too high to exit via the door, so a spot of complicated manoeuvring has to be done in which the Virgin exits the church first, pulled out on a trolley, and is then crowned outside. Then Jesus on the cross is pulled out and lifted up from the window above the church entrance with ropes and held until the float below can be set-up.

All the while drummers set the mood and the crowd encourage the participants to complete the complicated manoeuvre perfectly.

12.00: Figures of the Virgen de los Dolores and others are transferred from the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel to the Iglesia of San Juan de Díos ready for their procession.

18.00: The Procesión de la Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Fe begins at the Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís, returning at around 22.30.

20.30: The figure of Nuestro Padre Jesús de las Mercedes meets with the figures of the Virgen del Primer Dolor and San Juan in Plaza Belluga in what’s known as an “encuentro”, a greeting of 2 or more pasos.

Route: Nuestra Señora de los Buenos Libros, Plaza Circular, Gran Vía de Alfonso X el Sabio, Plaza Santo Domingo, Trapería, Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (at around 19.45), Frenería, Puxmarina, Sociedad, San Bartolomé, Esteve Mora, Calderón de la Barca, Santa Gertrudis, Fernández Ardavín, Plaza Romea, Echegaray, Santa Clara, Enrique Villar, Santa Ana, Plaza de Santa Ana, Alfonso X el Sabio, Plaza Circular, Nuestra Señora de los Buenos Libros.

2 pasos:

Santa María de los Ángeles by Antonio Jesús Yuste Navarro (2014)

Santísimo Cristo de la Fe by Antonio Fernández Dorrego (1959)

20.00: The Procesión de la Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Caridad begins at the Iglesia de Santa Catalina de Murcia, ending between 23.15 and 00.45. 

Route : Plaza de Santa Catalina, Plaza de las Flores, Cristo de la Esperanza, Plaza de San Pedro, Jara Carrillo, Martínez Tornel, Tomas Maestre, Glorieta, Arenal, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (around 21.00), Escultor Salzillo, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Pl Santo Domingo, José Echegaray, Plaza Romea, Fernández Ardavín, Santa Gertrudis, Calderón de la Barca, Esteve Mora, San Bartolomé, Sociedad, Puxmarina, Frenería, Conde Valle de San Juan, Jara Carrillo, Plaza de San Pedro, Plaza de las Flores, Plaza de Santa Catalina.

9 pasos

1. La Oración en el Huerto (1996) Sculptor: Arturo Serra Gómez.

2. La Flagelación (1998) Sculptor José Hernández Navarro, 2007

3. La Coronación de Espinas (1997) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro, 2009-2013

4. Nuestro Padre Jesús Camino del Calvario (1999) Sculptor: Manuel Ardil Pagán.

5. Santa Mujer Verónica (2003) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro.

6. El Expolio de Cristo (2022), Ramón Cuenca Santo

7. San Juan (2001) Sculptor: Ramón Cuenca Santo, 2013

8. María Dolorosa (1742) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo.

9. Santísimo Cristo de la Caridad (1994) Sculptor: Rafael Roses Ribadavia

Between 12 midday and 2pm the pasos ready to parade in the evening can be seen in the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís, near the Plaza de las Flores.

Sunday April 2, Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday)

In the morning thousands gather in the Plaza Belluga and at various churches for their palms and palm ornaments to be blessed, in the Plaza de la Cruz at the back of the Cathedral. It’s a tradition in Murcia that children should wear new clothes, and even those with the scantest of resources would try to ensure that their children were well-dressed for this traditional blessing.

In the evening it is the turn of the Paso Verde (the greens) to parade.

11.00: Transfer of the figure of Nuestro Padre Jesús del Gran Poder from the iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari to the Convento de las Madres Capuchinas next to the Malecón gardens.

12.30: The tableaux of the Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Esperanza are on display to the public until 14.00 in the church of San Pedro.

18.00: The Procesión de la Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Esperanza y María Santísima de los Dolores y del Santo Cielo por la Salvación de las Almas. Route: Iglesia of San Pedro Apóstol, Plaza San Pedro, Jara Carrillo, Martínez Tornel, Tomás Maestre, Sol, Frenería, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (around 19.00), Escultor Nicolás Salzillo, Trapería, Santo Domingo (paso emergencia), Santa Clara Echegaray Julián Romea, Fernández Ardavín, Santa Gertrudis, Calderón de la Barca, José Esteve Mora, San Bartolomé, Sociedad, Puxmarina, Madre de Dios, Gran Vía Escultor Salzillo (paso emergencia), Madre de Dios, Pascual, Jara Carrillo, Plaza San Pedro (22.00)

8 pasos:

1. Dejad que los Niños se Acerquen a mí (Francisco Liza Alarcón, 2009)

2. Arrepentimiento y Perdón de María Magdalena (Francisco Liza Alarcón 1983 and Antonio Castaño Liza, 1983-2014)

3. Entrada de Jesús en Jerusalén (José Hernández Navarro 1984-87)

4. San Pedro (Francisco Salzillo, 1780)

5. Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (Santiago Baglietto y Gierra, 1817)

6. San Juan Evangelista (Antonio Castaño Liza, 2017)

7. María Santísima de los Dolores (Francisco Salzillo, 1756)

8. Santísimo Cristo de la Esperanza (Francisco Salzillo, 1755)

Monday April 3, Lunes Santo (Holy Monday)

The day focuses on the Iglesia de San Antolin (click for map), in the district of the same name. This area was the home of the master weavers and was the centre of the lucrative silk trade which was so vital to Murcia.

2,000 people wearing the magenta robes of the Cofradia parade in a procession which is renowned for its floral displays and beauty. A little historical point is that this procession used to be known as the procession of the trains, as to celebrate their silk-making history each penitent wore a train of silk which dragged 2 metres behind them. However, as numbers increased it became impractical and the train was shortened.

12.00: The historic carved figure of the Cristo del Perdón is taken down from his niche and members of the public have a chance to kiss the feet of the sacred image in the church of San Antolín.

19.00: Procesión de la Real, Ilustre y Muy Noble Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo del Perdón.

Route: Iglesia de San Antolín, Vidrieros, Sagasta, Plano de San Francisco, Plaza de San Julián, San Pedro, Plaza de San Pedro, Jara Carrillo, Martínez Tornel, Tomás Maestre, Sol, Frenería, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (around 20.15), Escultor Nicolás Salzillo, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Santa Clara, Echegaray, Plaza de Julián Romea, Fernández Ardavín, Plaza de Santa Gertrudis, Calderón de la Barca, José Esteve Mora, Plaza de San Bartolomé, Santa Catalina, Plaza de Santa Catalina, Plaza de las Flores, Cristo de la Esperanza, Plaza de San Pedro, San Pedro, Plaza de San Julián, Pilar, Vidrieros, Plaza de San Antolín. Finishes around 1.00.

11 pasos

1. Ángeles de la Pasión (2012), José Hernández Navarro

2. Jesús en Getsemaní (1996) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro

3. El Prendimiento (1947-48) Sculptor: José Sánchez Lozano

4. Jesús ante Caifás, Sculptors: S. Castillejos (1944) y Damián Pastor (1897).

5. La Flagelación (1945) Sculptor: José Sánchez Lozano.

6. Coronación de Espinas (1982) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro

7. Encuentro en la Vía Dolorosa. Cristo: José Sánchez Lozano (1948), Virgen: Clemente Cantos y Miguel Martínez Fernández (1924), San Juan: Anonymous.

8. La Verónica (1954) Sculptor: Francisco Toledo Sánchez.

9. El Ascendimiento (1988) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro

10. El Santísimo Cristo del Perdón. Sculptors: Cristo Anonymous (17th century), Dolorosa: Roque López (1793), San Juan: Salzillo (1737), Magdalena: Sánchez Tapia (1897).

11. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Sculptor: José Sánchez Lozano (1943).

Tuesday April 4, Martes Santo (Holy Tuesday)

This is a totally different day to those preceding it. All day the bidding ceremony takes place throughout the streets, calling the faithful to parade. The two processions on this Tuesday are in what’s called the "Andalusian style", with the penitents wearing cloaks over their tunics and not giving out sweets or gifts to the crowd as in other processions. The tronos also have little wooden legs so that the bearers can rest from time to time.

10.00 to 14.00: The “tronos” or tableaux of the Hermandad de Esclavos del Rescate can be viewed in the Iglesia San Juan Bautista in Plaza San Juan (click for map).

19.00: Procesión de la Hermandad de la Esclavitud de Nuestro Padre Jesús del Rescate y María Santísima de la Esperanza. Tunic colours green and white, white and purple.

Route: Iglesia de san Juan Bautista, Plaza San Juan, Tahona, Arco de San Juan, Plaza Ceballos, Pintor Villacis, Plaza Cardenal Belluga (around 19.45), Escultor Salzillo, Pl. Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Merced, Alejandro Seiguer, Plaza Cetina, Isidoro de la Cierva, Pintor Villacis, Ceballos, Arco de San Juan, Tahona, Plaza San Juan and back to the Iglesia San Juan Bautista.

Processional order

1. Cruz Guía (Vicente Segura Valls, 1955)

2. María Santísima de la Esperanza (José Sánchez Lozano, 1948)

3. Nuestro Padre Jesús del Rescate (Anonymous, 17th century)

19.45: Procesión de la Pontificia, Real, Hospitalaria y Primitiva Asociación del Santísimo Cristo de la Salud (white tunics)

Route: Iglesia de San Juan de Dios, Plaza Cristo de la Salud, Eulogio Soriano, Pintor Villacis, Apóstoles, Plaza Apóstoles (20.50), Plaza Cardenal Belluga, Nicolás Salzillo, Hernández Amores, Trapería (paso emergencia), Santo Domingo, Merced, Alejandro Séiquer, Cetina (paso emergencia), Isidoro de la Cierva, Pintor Villacis, Eulogio Soriano, Plaza Cristo de la Salud and back to the Iglesia de San Juan de Dios.

Processional order

1. Nuestro Padre Jesús de las Mercedes (Nicolás Salzillo, 1713-25)

2. María, Consuelo de los Afligidos (2018), Francisco Javier López de Espino

3. San Juan Evangelista (Roque López, 1791).

4. Santísima Virgen del Primer Dolor (Francisco Salzillo, 1740).

5. Santísimo Cristo de la Salud (15th or 16th century, anonymous).

Wednesday April 5, Miércoles Santo (Easter Wednesday)

Wednesday is one of the best-loved days of Semana Santa in Murcia, the day the city is tinged red with the blood of Jesus Christ as the brotherhood of Los Coloraos (the reds) parade through the city.

The headquarters of this Cofradia is on the south side of the river, in the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, and in the past this was a more rural part of Murcia: for this reason the procession is loved by the Murcianos who live on the fringes of the city and the suburbs, which in past centuries were devoted to the agriculture which supplied food for the city-dwelling population. As a symbol of this allegiance, broad beans are distributed along with the normal sweets and gifts during the procession, in which 3,000 penitents and over 1,000 children take part, all wearing the distinctive red robes of this Cofradía.

This procession is distinctive for the participants’ bulging robes stuffed with sweets, bread rolls and eggs and its happy atmosphere, although the mood becomes more reverent as it approaches the Cathedral. A favoured viewing point is on or alongside the Puente Viejo as the procession crosses the river Segura.

18.00: Procesión de la Real, Muy Ilustre, Venerable, y Antiquísima Archicofradía de la Preciosísima Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. The parade leaves the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen and takes about 6 hours to complete its route.

Route: Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Colón, Plaza Camachos, Canalejos, Puente Viejo, Plaza Martínez Tornel, Calle Tomás Maestre, Sol, Frenería, Glorieta de España, Plaza Cardenal Belluga (at around 19.00), Escultor Nicolás Salzillo, Trapería, Plaza Santo Domingo, Santa Ana, Alfonso X El Sabio, Basabé, Echegaray, Plaza Romea ,Fernández Ardavín, Calderón de la Barca, Plaza José Esteve Mora, Plaza San Bartolomé, Sociedad, Puxmarina, Madre de Dios, Gran Vía Escultor Salzillo, Madre de Dios, Pascual, Jara Carrillo, Plaza Martínez Tornel, Puente Viejo, Plaza Camachos, Colón, Nuestra Señora del Carmen. The first tableau returns to the church at around 22.30.

11 pasos

1. San Vicente Ferrer (Ramón Cuenca Soto, 2011)
2. La Samaritana (Roque López, 1799)
3. Jesús en casa de Lázaro (José Hernández Navarro, 1985)
4. El Lavatorio (Juan González Moreno, 1952)
5. La Negación de San Pedro (Christ - Gregorio Molera, 1948 / San Pedro - Nicolás de Bussi, 1699)
6. El Pretorio (Christ - Nicolás de Bussi, 1699 / Plate and Berrugo - José Sánchez Lozano, 1945 / Soldiers - José Molera, 1948)
7. Las Hijas de Jerusalén (Juan González Moreno, 1956)
8. El Cristo de las Penas (José Hernández Navarro, 1986)
9. Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre (Nicolás de Bussi, 1693)
10. San Juan (Juan Dorado Brisa, 1905)
11. La Dolorosa (Roque López, 1787)

Thursday April 6, Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday)

The procession of silence

On this night, the street lights are extinguished and the parade moves in silence through the darkness. Participants take a vow of silence from the moment they don their robes until they take them off.

During much of the day the Cofradias are preparing for the procession of Good Friday. One little tradition takes place on the evening of the Thursday in the Plaza San Agustin. Part of the float of the prayer in the garden and the chalice of bitterness is a large date palm tree, made from the best branches which can be gathered from around Murcia. During the evening these are bound together to create the tree, and it is believed that any woman who eats a date from this tree will become pregnant during the following year, so when the procession is over on the Friday, women wishing to conceive beg for the dates. Whilst the workers build the tree "Campanas de Auroros", men from the outlying country villages, sing traditional Murcia hymns, accompanied only by a little handbell which they ring from time to time. During this time the Iglesia de Jesús in the Salzillo museum is open so that the pasos can be seen, dressed and ready to parade on Friday morning.

As night falls, the two processions leave the churches of San Lorenzo and del Carmen.

11.15: Adoration of the reliquary of the lignum crucis (the fragment of the True Cross on which Christ died) in the convent church of Santa Clara (very close to Plaza Santo Domingo).

12.00: Worship of the Cristo de la Misericordia in the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel. After this the Saint is taken to the Iglesia de San Antolín.

12.30: The figure of Christ is taken from Santa Clara and there is an “encuentro” with the Santísima Virgen de la Soledad in Plaza Santo Domingo.

18.30: The Procesión de Penitencia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad del Calvario. Tunic color: black.

Route: Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Alameda de Colón, Camachos, Avenida de Canalejas, Puente Viejo, Plaza Martínez Tornel, Jara Carrillo, San Pedro, Plaza de las Flores, Plaza de Santa Catalina, Santa Catalina, Plaza San Bartolomé, Sociedad, Puxmarina, Frenería, Plaza Cardenal Belluga, San Patricio, Tomás Maestre, Plaza de Martinez Tornel, Puente Viejo, Avenida Canalejas, Alameda de Colón, Hermanos Cerón, Iglesia del Carmen.

The most intense moment of this procession is when the it arrives at the Iglesia-Museo de San Juan de Dios, where the Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo Yacente have prepared a funeral mound with the figure of Jesus. Manoeuvring the paso of the Virgen de la Soledad is difficult, but she enters the church, and is positioned in front of the figure of Jesus. Following a reading the "stabat mater" is sung by a choir. Hundreds of people squeeze inside the church to watch. Lights are dimmed and the church is lit only by candles before the procession continues on its route.

Pasos

1. Jesús de la Redención, Antonio Jesús Yuste Navarro (2017)

2. Cristo del Amor en la Conversión del Buen Ladrón (Gregorio Fernández-Henarejos Martínez, 2011)

3. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad del Calvario (Antonio Campillo Párraga, 1985)

22.00: The Procession in Silence of the Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo del Refugio Procesión del Silencio. Tunic colours: black and purple.

Route: Alejandro Séiquer, Merced, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Santa Ana, Alfonso X El Sabio, Santo Domingo, Trapería, Plaza Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (around 23.15), Escultor Nicolás Salzillo, Trapería, Barrionuevo, Cetina, Alejandro Séiquer, Iglesia de San Lorenzo.

Paso: Santísimo Cristo del Refugio (Anonymous, 16th century)

Friday April 7, Viernes Santo (Good Friday)

Good Friday is a day of mourning and sadness, but is also the day on which the best known sculptures leave the churches of the city of Murcia. Many refer to this day as Salzillo day, as Francisco Salzillo’s most important works are paraded through the streets, but it can be exhausting as the morning procession is followed by three more in the evening!

The morning parade starts early, at 8.00 in the Plaza of San Agustin, where it leaves the Iglesia de Jesús, and in total it takes 8 hours to travel around the city with over 4,000 participants clad in deep purple robes. It’s one of the best known processions of the whole week and probably the best attended.

As a rough guide, the parade reaches Santa Catalina around midday, and the latter part of the route as the pasos near the Iglesia de Jesús is probably the easiest point from which to watch it. 

In the evening are three more parades, austere and serious, reflecting the mood of mourning and contemplation.

8.00: The procession of the Real y Muy Ilustre Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, leaving from the Iglesia de Jesús (purple tunics). Route: Plaza San Agustín, García Alix, Pedro Pou, Vidrieros, Plaza de San Antolín, Sagasta, Pilar, San Julián, San Pedro, Plaza de San Pedro, Jara Carrillo, Plaza Martínez Tornel, Tomás Maestre, Glorieta, Arenal, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (around 9.45), Escultor Salzillo, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Echegaray, Plaza Romea, Fernández Ardavín, Calderón de la Barca, José Esteve Mora, San Bartolomé, Santa Catalina, Plaza de las Flores, Jiménez Baeza, San Nicolás, Santa Teresa, Mariano Girada, Acisclo Díaz, Plaza Agustinas, Santa Cecilia, San Agustín.

9 pasos (the work of Francisco Salzillo unless specified)

1. La Santa Cena (1761)

2. La Oración en el Huerto (1754)

3. El Prendimiento (1763)

4. Los Azotes (1777)

5. La Verónica (1756)

6. La Caída (1752)

7. Ntro. Padre Jesús Nazareno (Anonymous, 1600)

8. San Juan (1756)

9. La Dolorosa (1755)

Good Friday evening

17.30: Worship of the figure of Cristo del Refugio in the Iglesia de San Lorenzo Mártir.

19.00: Procession of the Servitas de María Santísima de las Angustias from the Iglesia de San Bartolomé- Santa María. Black and blue tunics. 

Route: Plaza de San Bartolomé, José Esteve Mora, Calderón de la Barca, Santa Gertrudis, Fernández Ardavín, Plaza Romea, Echegaray, Santa Clara, Plaza Santo Domingo, Trapería, Plaza Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (around 20.30), Arsenal, Glorieta de España, Frenería, Puxmarina, Sociedad, San Bartolomé.

Pasos

1. Ángel Servita (Vicente Hernández Couquet, 1858)

2. María Santísima de las Angustias (Francisco Salzillo, 1739)

18.45: Procession of the Cofradía del Santo Sepulcro from the Iglesia de San Bartolomé. Black tunics. Route: Plaza de San Bartolomé, José Esteve Mora, Calderón de la Barca, Santa Gertrudis, Fernández Ardavín, Plaza de Romea, Echegaray, Santa Clara, Plaza Santo Domingo, Trapería, Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (around 21.00), Frenería, Conde Valle San Juan, Jara Carrillo, Plaza San Pedro, Plaza de las Flores, Pl Santa Catalina, Santa Catalina, Plaza de San Bartolomé (22.00)

Processional order

1. Santísimo Cristo de Santa Clara la Real (Francisco Salzillo, 1770)

2. Santísima Virgen de la Amargura (González Moreno, 1946)

3. Santo Sepulcro (González Moreno, 1941)

4. San Juan Evangelista (González Moreno, 1952)

5. Santísima Virgen de la Soledad (Anonymous, 17th century)

18.30: Procession of the Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia from the church of San Esteban. 

Route: Acisclo Díaz, Gran Vía Escultor Salzillo, Maestro Alonso, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, Trapería, Hernández Amores, Nicolás Salzillo, Cardenal Belluga (20.00), Arenal, Glorieta de España, Sol, Frenería, Puxmarina, Sociedad, San Bartolomé, José Esteve Mora, Calderón de la Barca, Santa Gertrudis, Fernández Ardavín, Gran Vía Escultor Salzillo, Barítono Marcos Redondo, Santa Teresa, Lorenzo Pausa, Acisclo Díaz, Iglesia de San Esteban (21.45).

Pasos:

1. Jesús Nazareno (Roque López, 1797)
2. Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia (Domingo Beltrán, 1581)
3. Descendimiento (José Hernández Navarro, 2001)
4. Nuestra Señora Madre de Misericordia (José Sánchez Lozano, 1927)

Saturday April 8, Sábado Santo (Easter Saturday)

Two processions begin in the early evening.

17.00: Procession of the Santísimo Cristo de la Caridad. Black tunics. 

Route: Iglesia de Santa Catalina, Santa Isabel, Platería, José Esteve Mora, Jabonerías, Julián Romea, Arco de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Enrique Villar, Santa Ana, Alfonso X El Sabio, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, Trapería, Hernández Amores, Salzillo, Cardenal Belluga (approx 18.40), Frenería, Puxmarina, Sociedad, San Bartolomé, José Esteve Mora, Platería, Santa Isabel, Santa Catalina.

Paso: Nuestra Señora del Rosario en sus Misterios Dolorosos (Ramón Cuenca Santo, 2013)

19.00: Procesión de la Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo Yacente y Nuestra Señora de la Luz en su Soledad. The participants wear white, the Hebrew colour of mourning, and walk barefoot and in silence. Following the procession, the Easter Vigil begins in the Cathedral.

Route: Plaza de San Juan de Dios, Cristo de la salud, Eulogio Soriano, Apóstoles, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga (19.20), Frenería, Plaza Puxmarina, Sociedad, Plaza de San Bartolomé, Plaza José Esteve Mora, Jabonerías, Plaza de Julián Romea, Arco de Santo Domingo, Plaza Santo Domingo, Trapería, Plaza Hernández Amores, Óliver, Apóstoles, Eulogio Soriano, Cristo de la Salud, Plaza de San Juan de Dios.

Pasos

1. Santísimo Cristo Yacente (Diego de Ayala, 1574)

2. Nuestra Señora de la Luz en su Soledad (Anonymous, 17th century)

Sunday April 9, Domingo de Resurrección, Easter Sunday

Jesus has risen from the dead and the mood changes to one of celebration. All the participants in the morning procession wear white, with different coloured cloaks to denote their Cofradías, and gone are the “capirotes” (hoods) of the penitents, soft turban-like head-dresses taking their place while each participant carries a silver wand.

At the head of the procession comes the devil in chains, being led by angels, with jingling bells, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness. Following this are bands, flowers, light and thousands of people, celebrating the resurrection, and the whole procession takes about 6 hours to wend its way through the streets!

8.15: Procesión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo Resucitado, starting at the Iglesia de Santa Eulalia.

Route: Plaza Santa Eulalia, Calle San Antonio, Isidoro de la Cierva, Plaza Cetina, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza Santo Domingo, Sabta Clara, Echegaray, Plaza Julián Romea, Plaza Santa Gertrudis, Plaza José Esteve Mora, Plaza San Bartolomé, Santa Catalina, Plaza de las Flores, Plaza San Pedro, Calle Jara Carrillo, Plaza Martínez Tornel, Calle Tomás Maestre, Glorieta de España, Calle Arenal, Plaza Cardenal Belluga, Calle Apóstoles, Calle Pintor Villacis, Plaza Ceballos, Calle Simón García, Calle Joaquín Costa, Plaza Santa Eulalia.

11 pasos

1. San Miguel Arcángel (Francisco Liza Alarcón, 1994)

2. Cruz Triunfante (Clemente Cantos Sánchez, 1917)

3. Nuestro Señor Jesucristo Resucitado (José Planes, 1949, and García Mengual, 1972)

4. Las Tres Marías y el Ángel del Señor (Antonio Labaña Serrano, 1993)

5. Aparición de Jesús a Mª Magdalena (Antonio Labaña Serrano, 1982)

6. Los Discípulos de Emaús (Antonio Labaña Serrano, 1983)

7. Aparición de Jesús a Tomás (Apostles by Francisco Sánchez Araciel, 1912 / Christ by José Hernández Navarro, 1994)

8. Aparición de Jesús en el Lago Tiberiades (Antonio Labaña Serrano, 1987-89)

9. La Ascensión del Señor (José Hernández Navarro, 2000)

10. San Juan Evangelista (Venancio Marco, 1912)

11. La Virgen Gloriosa (José Mª Sánchez Lozano, 1950)

And with that it’s all over for another year! Except...

In the city of Murcia the end of the last Semana Santa procession marks the beginning of another week of fiestas! No sooner are the Cofradías able to rest their weary feet than they are able to enjoy the traditional cooking and festive atmosphere of the “barracas”, as the regional capital celebrates the arrival of spring with seven days more holiday in the Fiestas de Primavera, including the Bando de la Huerta and the Entierro de la Sardina!