ARCHIVED - Murcia capital Semana Santa 2015 Programme in English

Semana Santa in Murcia City from 27th March to the 5th April 2015

Semana Santa in Murcia is of national tourist interest, due to the sheer scale of what happens here during Holy Week. There are some wonderful stories attached to the Semana Santa in Murcia, and the collection of sculptures held by the Cofradias is impressive. Although Murcia is renowned for the scale of its processions, there are many experiences to be enjoyed within this week which strip out the grandeur and pomp out of the occasion and make it what it really is for the people who live here and take part in this week: an expression of their faith, community and traditions.

Dont come here, buy a ticket in a stand and think that this is what Semana Santa in Murcia is all about, because its 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 its too big to fit through the door, watching the stain of red robes spread across Puente Vieja as 4000 Coloraos walk along the banks and cross the river during their procession on the Wednesday night or just enjoying a spot of tapas and a drink as the hustle and bustle of Semana Santa passes by.

If you want to come into Murcia just once, which is the parade to choose?
Top choices:
The parade of the Salzillos in the morning of Good Friday
The Coloraos in the evening of Holy Wednesday
The Ed enjoys buying palm decorations in Plaza Flores the day before Palm Sunday

There is a lot of terminology here that may not be familiar to non-catholics, so the basic guide to Semana Santa in the Region of Murcia may help to explain what pasos, cofradías and capirotes are.
NB Images are not all specific to the date next to which they are shown.

Prior to the processions it’s possible to visit some of the churches and view the tronos in situ. These are the main dates and there are others scattered throughout the programme:

From the 22nd to the 26th of March “during standard opening hours” in the Cofradía del Perdón: Iglesia de San Antolín Mártir.
14th to 26th March between 7pm and 9pm Cofradía de la Esperanza in the Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol.
27th March from 9am to 2pm Cofradía del Amparo. Iglesia San Nicolás de Bari.

Friday 27th March, Viernes de Dolores
The first act on Friday morning is for the last Via Crucis of lent to take place, leaving from outside the Cathedral at 6am throughout the streets of Murcia. From first light youll 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. They summon them with a long instrument, reminiscent of the enormous great horns used in the swiss alps, which emits a harsh booming sound, almost like a donkey braying. These instruments are transported on wheeled trolleys as theyre 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 its more of a ritual, albeit a fascinating one, and something which is really special to come across when wandering the streets of Murcia in Semana Santa. Youll see this happening 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 Nicholas. There is a lovely story about this church, which was paid for by a Doctor called Diego Mateo Zapata. He 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.

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
Route: 2.3km
Paso Azul, 7 pasos
Colour blue, 7 sculptures
Click for map, Plaza San Nicolas

Route: Plaza San Nicolás, Departure, Iglesia de San Nicolás de Barí
Then: Calle San Nicolás,Plaza San Pedro,Calle Jara Carrillo,Plaza Martínez Tornel,Calle Tomás Maestre ,Glorieta de España ,( around about 8.15pm the parade reaches this point)Plaza Cardenal Belluga, Plaza Hernández Amores ,Calle Trapería,Plaza de Santo Domingo ,Calle Ángel Guirao ,Plaza Julián Romea ,Plaza Santa Gertrudis,Plaza José Esteve Mora ,Plaza San Bartolomé,Plaza Sta. Catalina,Plaza de las Flores,Plaza San Pedro,Calle Riquelme,Calle San Benito,Plaza Mayor ,Plaza San Nicolás ( returns at around 11.15pm)
7 pasos
1. Sagrada Flagelación (1994-96) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro.
2. Jesús ante Pilatos (1991-94) Sculptor: Antonio Labaña Serrano.
3. Jesús del Gran Poder (1693) Sculptor: Nicolás de Bussy.
4. Encuentro Camino del Calvario (1996) Sculptor: Gregorio  Fernández-Henarejos Martínez.
5. San Juan (2001) Sculptor: Gregorio Fernández-Henarejos Martínez.
6. Virgen de los Dolores (1741) Sculptor: Atr Francisco Salzillo.
7. Stmo. Cristo del Amparo (1739) Sculptor: Atr Francisco Salzillo.


Saturday 28th March, Sábado de Pasión, Holy Saturday

Click to read report written after attending this event: Sábado de Pasión in Murcia
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, then head off into the city to continue with this tradition. All around the city, stalls are set up to sell palm branches, and palm decorations, which are made using the bleached branches of palms which have been wrapped to ensure they stay white as they are growing.

Its a true artisan art and the pieces are a real joy to see. One of the best places to see them is in Plaza Flores, close to the church of Santa Catalina, alongside Plaza Flores from which the 7.45 pm procession leaves in the evening. All day, people are coming and going from the church with flowers and palm decorations, sitting in the square enjoying tapas and coffee, and the whole place has a busy bustle.

This year the church is open to the general public to view the build-up and see the 8 tronos inside but only between 12 midday and 2pm. Visitors may well enjoy arriving in the city late morning, enjoying a bite to eat, watching the exit from the church of San Francis de Asis, then going onto Plaza Flores for the first evening procession of the Coloraos. It is also possible to view the tronos in San Antolín and San Pedro ( see above)on this same day.

At around 5.30pm the confraternity of the Most Holy Church of Faith leave their headquarters of the Iglesia de San Francisco de Assisi. It is interesting to watch them, as the 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 as her crown is too tall too fit through the door. 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 it can be set-up. Then he is carefully lowered onto the throne, to great applause.

Its actually really entertaining to watch, as the drummers set the mood and the crowd encourage the participants to complete the complicated manoeuvre perfectly. After that the procession heads off down the centre of the tree lined Alameda.

Procesión de la Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Fe
6pm, from the Iglesia de San Francisco de Asis, returning around 10.15pm
Click for Plaza Circular, Murcia

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

2 pasos and hermandades:
Santa María de los Ángeles by Antonio Jesús Yuste Navarro, 2014
Santísimo Cristo de la Fe. Antonio Fernández Dorrego, to 1959

At 6.45pm the figure of Nuestro Padre Jesús de las Mercedes is transferred from the Iglesia d la Merced to that of San Juan de Dios in order to meet with the figures of the Virgen del Prime Dolor and San Juan in Plaza Belluga at 8pm in what’s known as an encuentro, a greeting of 2 pasos.

7.15pm The bands which are participating in the procession of La Caridad leave Jara Carrillo to head towards Santa Catalina

Then at 8pm the main procession of the evening heads out from Santa Catalina:

Procesión de la Muy Ilustre y Venerable Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Caridad
8pm: Muy Ilustre y Venerable Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Caridad
Headquarters: Iglesia de Santa Catalina de Alejandría

 Departure 8pm, Return approximately 12.30am

Click for map, Plaza Flores

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, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Pl Santo Domingo, José Echegaray, Pl 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.

8 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. San Juan (2001) Sculptor: Ramón Cuenca Santo, 2013
7. María Dolorosa (1742) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo.
8. Santísimo Cristo de la Caridad (1994) Sculptor: Rafael Roses Ribadavia


Domingo de Ramos, Palm Sunday, Sunday 29th March
In the morning thousands gather in the Plaza Belluga for their palms and palm ornaments to be blessed, in the little Plaza de la Cruz at the back of the Cathedral. Its tradition in the Region that on this day 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 greens to parade.

10am Misa In Dominica Palmarum, Schola Gregoriana de Murcia in the Cathedral

11am Transfer of Nuestro Padre Jesús del Gran Poder from the iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari to the
convento de las madres capuchinas del Malecón.

6pm 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

6pm from the Iglesia of San Pedro Apostol, returning about 11pm

Click for Iglesia san Pedro ( The search takes you to Plaza Flores, san Pedro wont google, you can see the church next to flores.)
  Plaza San Pedro, Jara Carrillo, Martínez Tornel, Tomás Maestre, Sol, Frenería,  Plaza del Cardenal Belluga,( around 6.55pm) Escultor Salzillo, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Santa Ana, Alfonso X el Sabio, Santa Clara, Echegaray, Julian Roméa,  Fernández Ardavín, Santa Gertrudis, Calderón de la Barca, Esteve Mora, San Bartolomé, Santa Catalina, Pl Santa Catalina, Plaza de las Flores, Cristo de la Esperanza,  Plaza San Pedro( 9.45pm)

7 pasos
1. Dejad que los niños se acerquen a mí
    Sculptor: Francisco Liza Alarcón (2009)
2. Arrepentimiento y perdón de María Magdalena
Sculptors: Francisco Liza Alarcón (1983) and Antonio Castaño Liza
3. Entrada de Jesús en Jerusalén (1984) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro.
4. San Pedro (1780) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo.
5. Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (1817) Sculptor: Santiago Baglietto y Gierra.
6. San Juan Evangelista (1984) Sculptor: Antonio Labaña Serrano.
7. María Stma. de los Dolores (1756) Escultor: Francisco Salzillo.
8. Santísimo Cristo de la Esperanza (1755) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo


Holy Monday, Lunes Santo, Monday 30th March

Click to read report written after attending this event: Monday with San Antolín

This day focuses on the Iglesia de San Antolin, in the district of San Antolin. This area was the home of the master weavers and was the centre of the lucrative silk trade which was so vital to Murcia.

2000 people wearing the magenta robes of this Cofradia will parade at 7pm, in a parade 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.

Procesión de la Real, Ilustre y Muy Noble Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo del Perdón
Procession leaves Iglesia de San Antolin, at 7pm and takes about 6 hours to cover the whole route.
Click for Iglesia San Antolin(just off Vidrieros)

Route: Plaza 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 8.30pm)Escultor Salzillo, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Bassabé, 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.Around 11pm

11 pasos
1. Jesús en Getsemaní (1996) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro
2. Prendimiento de Jesús (1947-48) Sculptor: José Sánchez Lozano
3. Jesús ante Caifás Sculptors: S. Castillejos (1944) y Damián Pastor (1987).
4. La Flagelación (1945) Sculptor: José Sánchez Lozano.
5. Coronación de Espinas (1982) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro
6. Encuentro en la Vía Dolorosa
    Sculptors:
    - Cristo: José Sánchez Lozano. (1948).
    - Virgen: Clemente Cantos y Miguel Martínez Fernández (1924)
    - San Juan: Anónimo.
7. Verónica (1954) Sculptor: Francisco Toledo Sánchez.
8. Ascendimiento (1988)Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro
9. Stmo. Cristo del Perdón
    Sculptors:
    - Cristo: Anónimo (s. XVII).
    - Dolorosa: Roque López (1793).
    - San Juan: Salzillo (1737).
    - Magdalena: Sánchez Tapia (1897).
10. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Sculptor: José Sánchez Lozano (1943).
Ángeles de la passion: José Hernández Navarro 2012.

Holy Tuesday, Martes Santo, Tuesday 31st March
Colours red and white.
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 done in what’s called the " Andalusian style". These penitents wear cloaks over their tunics, and do not give 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.

Churches open for visiting:
From 10am to 2pm. Tronos of the Hermandad de Esclavos del Rescate can be viewed in the Iglesia San Juan Bautista

Procesión de la Hermandad de Esclavos de Ntro. Padre Jesús del Rescate y María Stma. de la Esperanza. Tunic colours green and white, white and purple
 

7pm, Iglesia de san Juan Bautista, return around 10.15pm
Route via Plaza San Juan, Tahona, Arco de San Juan, Plaza Ceballos, Pintor VillacisPlaza Cardenal Belluga, Escultor Salzillo, Pl. Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Merced, Alejandro Seiguer, Plaza Cetina, Barrionuevo, Hernández Amores, Oliver,Apóstoles, Pintor Villacis, Plaza Ceballos, Arco de San Juan, Tahona, Plaza San Juan and back to the Iglesia San Juan Bautista.

1. Cruz Guía (1955) Sculptor: Vicente Segura Valls
2. María Stma. de la Esperanza (1948) Sculptor: José Sánchez Lozano.
3. Nuestro Padre Jesús del Rescate (s. XVII) Sculptor: Anonymous

Procesión de la Pontificia, Real, Hospitalaria y Primitiva Asociación del Stmo. Cristo de la Salud
Iglesia de San Juan de Dios, leaves at 8pm, tunic colours red and white

Click for map, San Juan de Díos
Route, Plaza Cristo de la Salud, Eulogio Soriano, Pintor Villacis, Apóstoles, Plaza Apóstoles, Plaza Cardenal Belluga, Frenería, Puxmarina, Sociedad, San Bartolomé,José Esteve Mora,  Calderón de la Barca,Santa Gertrudis, Fernández Ardavín, Julian Romea, Echegaray, Basabé, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Trapería, Hernández Amores,Barrionuevo,Cetina, Ointor Villacis, Eulogio Soriano, Plaza Cristo de la Salud and back to the Iglesia de San Juan de Dios around 11pm

4 pasos
1. Nuestro Padre Jesús de las Mercedes (1713-25) Sculptor: Nicolás Salzillo.
2. San Juan Evangelista (after  1791) Sculptor: Roque López.
3. Stma. Virgen del Primer Dolor (1740) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo.
4. Stmo. Cristo de la Salud (between 15th and 16th centuries). Sculptor: Anonymous


 Miercoles Santo, Holy Wednesday, Wednesday 1st April 2015

Click to read report written after attending this event: Coloraos stain the streets of Murcia red with the blood of Christ
Wednesday is one of the best-loved days in the Murcian Semana Santa, the day the city is tinged red with the blood of Jesus Christ, the day of the reds, Los Coloraos.

The headquarters of this Cofradia is on the opposite side of the river, in the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora del Carmen, and is traditionally known as a rural area, so this parade is much beloved by the Murcians who fringe the city and dwell in the suburbs which were the traditional areas of agriculture supplying the city. As a symbol of this allegiance, broad beans are distributed along with the normal sweets and gifts during this procession in which 3000 penitents and over 1000 children will take part, all wearing the distinctive red robes of this Cofradia. This procession is distinctive for its bulging robes stuffed with sweets, bread rolls and eggs, and happy atmosphere, although the mood becomes more reverent as it approaches the Cathedral.

The tronos can be viewed inside the Iglesia del Carmen from 11am to 1pm

The parade leaves the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora del Carmen at 6pm and takes about 6 hours to complete its route.

Click for Iglesia del Carmen

Procesión de la Real, Muy Ilustre, Venerable y Antiquísima Archicofradía de la Preciosísima Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo
Route: Ntra. Sra. del Carmen, Colón, Plaza Camachos, Canalejos, Puente Viejo, Plaza Martínez Tornel,Calle Tomás Maestre,Sol, Frenería, Glorieta de España,Plaza Cardenal Belluga, ( arrive around 7pm) Calle Apóstoles, Oliver, Trapería,Plaza. Sto. Domingo ,Santa Ana, Alfonso X El Sabio, Basabé, Echegaray,Plaza Romea ,Fernández Ardavín ,Calderón de la Barca,Plaza José Esteve Mora, Plaza San Bartolomé,Plaza Santa Catalina ,Plaza de las Flores ,Cristo de la Esperanza,Plaza San Pedro ,Plaza Martínez Tornel, Puente Viejo,Plaza Camachos , Coláon, Ntra. Sra. del Carmen, first paso returns around 10.30pm

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


Holy Thursday, Jueves Santo, 2nd April 2014
The procession of silence.
On this night, the street lights are extinguished and the parade moves in silence through the darkness. Participants have taken a vow of silence from the moment they don their robes until they take them off and the evening is hushed and reverent.

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 murcian hymns, peculiar to the region and dating back several hundred years, 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 2 processions leave the church of San Lorenzo, and del Carmen wending their silent way through the darkened streets.

Programme for the day:
11.30am Adoration of the reliquery of the lignum crucis, with music by Ars Música, and throning of the Cristo de Santa Clara. Taking place in the church of the convent of Santa Clara which is next to Plaza Santo Domingo.
 

12 midday, Besapié, act of kissing the foot of the sculpture of Cristo de la Misericordía in the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel
 

12.15 midday Transfer of the image of Cristo de Santa Clara from the convent of Santa Clara to the Iglesia of San Bartolomé.

12.30 Encuentro with the Virgen de la Soledad in the Arco de Santo Domingo.

4pm Cantos de auroros in the Plaza de San Agustín

6pm Misa . In Coena Domini, Schola Gregoriana of Murcia in the Iglesia of San Miguel Arcángel

6.30pm Departure of the procession of La Soledad from the Iglesia del Carmen

10pm Procession of silence from the Iglesia de San Lorenzo Mártir.

During the day the tronos can be seen inside the following churches:
Iglesia de San Bartolomé – Santa María : during church opening times
6pm to 8pm The Iglesia de Jesús, the church alongside the Museo Salzillo in which the great sculptures of Francisco Salzillo which parade on Friday morning, can be seen.

Procesión de La Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo del Refugio
10pm, from the Iglesia de San Lorenzo
Colour, black and purple.
Route: Alejandro Séiquer, La Merced, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Trapería, Plaza Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga,( around about 11.15pm) Plaza de los Apóstoles, Apóstoles, Oliver, Hernández Amores, Barrionuevo, Cetina, Alejandro Séiquer, concluding at the Iglesia de San Lorenzo.
1 paso
1. Stmo. Cristo del Refugio (17th century) Sculptor: Anonymous

 Procesión de La Soledad
Colour black
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Departure: 6.30pm

Click for Iglesia del Carmen

Route Ntra. Sra. del Carmen, Alameda de Colón, Camachos, Avenida de Canalejas, Puente Viejo, Plaza de Martínez Tornel, Jara Carrillo, San Pedro, Plaza de las Flores, Plaza de Santa Catalina, Santa Catalina, Plaza San Bartolomé, Sociedad, Puxmarina, Frenería, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga San Patricio,Tómas Maestre, Plaza de Martinez Tornel, Puente Viejo, Avenida Canalejas, Alameda de Colón, Hermanos Cerón and back to the Iglesia del Carmen .

The most intense moment of this procession is when the procession arrives at the iglesia-museo de San Juan de Dios, where the Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo Yacente have prepared a funerary tumulus with the image 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 image 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.

2 pasos
1. Cristo de La Humillación (17th century) Sculptor: Anonymous
2. Nuestra Señora  de la Soledad 1985
Sculptor : Antonio Campillo Párraga
Cristo del Amor en la Conversación del Buen Ladrón 2011
 Sculptor: Gregorio Fernández-Henarejos Martínez.
 

Holy Friday, 2nd April, Viernes santo

Click to read report written after attending the morning Procession of the Salzillos
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.  Many refer to this day as Salzillo day, as his most important  works are paraded through the streets, but is exhausting for participants, as the morning procession is followed by three more in the evening.

The parades starts early at 8am in the Square of San Agustin, from the Iglesia de Jesus, and takes 8 hours to travel around the city, with over 4000 participants, all wearing deep purple robes. Its 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. The latter part of the route as the pasos near the Iglesia de Jesús is probably the easiest point from which to watch this parade, as the key points such as Plaza Belluga, can be very crowded.

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

First procession: Procesión de los Salzillos de la Real y Muy Ilustre Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno
Colour Purple
From the Iglesia de Jesús, Departure 8am. Dont panic to be there for 8 as it takes 6 hours to cover the route so youve got plenty of time to see the sculptures. It’s actually quite a good place to position yourself near to the end of the procession, just before the return inside the Salzillo museum, alongside the convent, as these streets are narrow and atmospheric and the pasos can be seen properly, unlike other areas where there is a major crush, such as in front of the Cathedral. This area near to the museum is also an interesting area to eat, as there are lots of south-American cafés in this zone, some of whom will be serving 12 bean soup in honour of the 12 apostles on this day. It takes several hours for the procession to reach this zone, the first pasos arriving back at 12 midday ish.

Route:  Plaza San Agustín, García Alix,Pedro Pou,  Vidrieros, Plaza de San Antolín, Pilar, San Julián, San Pedro, Plaza de San Pedro, Jara Carrillo, Tomás Maestre, Glorieta, Arenal, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza Hernández Amores, Trapería, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Besabé, Echegaray, Plaza Romea, Fernández Ardavín,  Calderón de la Barca, José Esteve Mora,Plaza de San Bartolomé, Santa Catalina, Pl Santa Catalina, Plaza de las Flores, Jiménez Baeza, San Nicolás, Santa Teresa, Mariano Girada, Acisclo Díaz,Plaza Agustinas, Agustinas, Santa Cecilia, Plaza de San Agustín and back to the Iglesia de Jesús

9 pasos
1. La Santa Cena (1763) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo
2. La Oración en el Huerto (1754) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo
3. El Prendimiento (1763) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo
4. Los Azotes (1777) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo
5. La Verónica (1755) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo
6. La Caída (1752) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo
7. Ntro. Padre Jesús Nazareno (1600) Sculptor: Anonymous
8. San Juan (1756) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo
9. La Dolorosa (1755)  Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo

Good Friday evening:
5pm Oficios of the death of Christ, sung by Coro Ars Música in the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel

5.30pm Besapié, kissing of the foot of the image of Cristo del Refudio in the Iglesia de San Lorenzo Mártir

6pm Oficios of the death of Christ by the Schola Gregoriana de Murcia in the Iglesia de la Merced

6.45pm Procession of the Servitas de María Santísima de las Angustias from the Iglesia de San Bartolomé- Santa María

7pm Departure of the Santo Sepulcro. Iglesia de San Bartolomé- Santa María

10.45pm to midnight La Noche de la Pasión Songs from the Auroros of Murcia in the Iglesia de San Juan de Díos

Evening processions:
Procesión de la Real, Muy Ilustre y Venerable Cofradía de Servitas de María Stma. de las Angustias
Colour Black and blue

6.45pm Departing from the Iglesia parroquial of San Bartolomé-Sanjta María
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, Pl Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga ( arrive around 8.15pm), Frenería, Conde Valle San Juan, Jara Carrillo, Plaza San Pedro, Plaza de las Flores, Pl Santa Catalina, Santa Catalina, Plaza de San Bartolomé, returning around 9.45pm

2 pasos
1. Ángel Servita  1858 by Vicente Hernández Couquet
2. María Stma. de las Angustias (1739) Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo.


Procesión de la Real y muy Ilustre Cofradía del Santo Sepulcro de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo
Colour Black
Iglesia parroquial de San Bartolomé, Departure 7pm.
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, Pl Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga,( around 8.30pm)  Frenería, Conde Valle San Juan, Jara Carrillo, Plaza San Pedro, Plaza de las Flores, Pl Santa Catalina, Santa Catalina, Plaza de San Bartolomé and return to the church of San  Bartolomé at 10pm

 5 pasos
1. Santísimo Cristo de Santa Clara la Real (1770)Sculptor: Francisco Salzillo.
2. Stma. Virgen de la Amargura (1946) Sculptor: González Moreno.
3. Santo Sepulcro (1941) Sculptor: González Moreno.
4. San Juan Evangelista (1952) Sculptor: González Moreno.
5. Santísima Virgen de la Soledad 17th century, anonymous


Procesión de la Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia
7.30pm Cofradía: Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia.
Departure from: Iglesia de San Antolín. ( normally this procession leaves from San Esteban, but this year is leaving from San Antolín)

Route: Plaza San Antolín, Vidrieros, Pilar, Plaza San Julián, C/ San Pedro, Cristo de la esperanza, Flores, Santa Catalina, San Bartolomé, José Esteve Mora,  C/ Calderón de la Barca, Plaza Santa Gertrudis C/ Fernández Ardavín, Plaza Julián Romea, C/ Echegaray, C/ Santa Clara, Plaza Sto. Domingo, C/ Trapería, Plaza Hdez. Amores, C/ Salzillo, Plaza Cardenal Belluga,( around 10.30pm) C/ Frenfería, C/ Conde Valle San Juan, Plaza de San Pedro, C/ San Pedro, Plaza San Julián, C/ del Pilar, Vidrieros, Plaza San Antolín, around 11.30pm.

Pasos:
Jesús Nazareno by Roque López 1797
Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia by Domingo Beltrán 1581
Descendimiento by José Hernández Nvarro 2001
Nuestra Señora madre de Misericordia by Losé Sánchez Lozano in 1927
 

Holy Saturday, Sabado Santo, Saturday 4th April
Muy ilustre y venerable Cofradía del santísimo cristo de la Carida
Departure from the Iglesia de Santa Catalina de Alejandría
Tunics: Black
5pm
Route: Iglesia de Santa Catalina, Santa Isabel, Platería, José esteve Mora, Jabonerías, Julian Romea, Arco de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Alfonso X El Sabio, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, Trapería, Hernández Amores, Salzillo, Cardenal Belluga at around 6.30pm, Frenería, Puxmarina, Sociedad, San Bartolomé, José esteve Mora, Platería, Santa Isabel, Santa Catalina, and back to the Iglesia de Santa Catalina for 7.30pm
Paso: Nuestra Señora del Rosario en sus misterios dolorosos by Ramón Cuenca Santo in 2013

7pm 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, in silence.
Following the procession, the Easter vigil begins in the Cathedral through to Resurrection day.
Colour White.
Iglesia Museo  de San Juan de Dios, Departure 7pm

Route:  Plaza de San Juan de Dios, Cristo de la salud, Eulogio Soriano, Apóstoles, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, Freneria,  Plaza Puxmarina, Sociedad, Plaza de San Bartolomé, Plaza José Esteve Mora, Jabonerías, Plaza de Julián Romea, Arco de Santo Domingo, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Trapería, Plaza Hernández Amores, Escultor Salzillo, Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, Apóstoles, Eulogio Soriano, Cristo de la salud, Plaza de San Juan de Dios returning around 9.10pm.
2 pasos
 1. Stmo. Cristo Yacente (1574) Sculptor: Diego de Ayala.
2. Ntra. Sra. de la Luz en su Soledad (17th century) Sculptor: anonymous

Resurrection day, Domingo de Resurrección,  Easter Sunday, Sunday 5th April
Jesus has risen from the dead and the mood changes to one of celebration. All the participants  wear white, with different coloured cloaks to denote their confraternities. Gone are the capirotes of the penitents, and in their place a soft turban-like head-dress and 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 7 hours to wend its way through the streets.

Its over for the year, and weary, footsore cofradias return to their seats for a rest  before...........before the fiestas of the Primavera begin...........

 Procesión de la Real y Muy Ilustre Archicofradía de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo Resucitado
Colour White and Gold
Iglesia de Santa Eulalia, Departure  8.15 am

Route Plaza Santa Eulalia,Calle San Antonio, Isidoro de la Cierva, Plaza Cetina, Plaza Hernández Amores C/. Trapería ,Plaza Santo Domingo,Calle Basabé,Plaza Julián Romea,Plaza Santa Gertrudis,Plaza José Esteve Mora ,Plaza San Bartolomé ,C/ Santa Catalina ,Plaza Santa Catalina ,Plaza de las Flores ,Plaza San Pedro ,C/ Jara Carrillo ,Plaza Martínez Tornel ,C/ Tomás Maestre ,Glorieta de España ,C/ Arenal ,Plaza Cardenal Belluga ,C/ Apóstoles ,C/ Pintor Villacis ,Plaza Ceballos ,C/ Simón García ,C/ Joaquín Costa ,Concluding at the Plaza Santa Eulalia at around 12.45 midday

11 pasos
1. San Miguel Arcángel (1994) Sculptor: Francisco Liza Alarcón.
2. Cruz Triunfante (1917) Sculptor: Clemente Cantos Sánchez.
3. Nuestro Señor Jesucristo Resucitado
    Sculptors: José Planes. (1949) and García Mengual. (1972)
4. Las Tres Marías y el Ángel del señor(1993) Sculptor: Antonio Labaña Serrano.
5. Aparición de Jesús a Mª Magdalena (1982) Sculptor: Antonio Labaña Serrano.
6. Discípulos de Emaús (1983) Sculptor: Antonio Labaña Serrano.
7. Aparición de Jesús a Tomás
    Sculptors:
    - Apóstoles: Francisco Sánchez Araciel. (1912)
    - Cristo: José Hernández Navarro. (1994)
8. Aparición de Jesús en el Lago Tiberiades (1987-89)
    Sculptor: Antonio Labaña Serrano.
9. La Ascensión del Señor (2000) Sculptor: José Hernández Navarro.
10. San Juan Evangelista (1912) Sculptor: Venancio Marco.
11. La Virgen Gloriosa (1950) Sculptor: José Mª Sánchez Lozan

For Semana Santa programmes for the Region of Murcia and basic explanation of the terminology used, Click Semana Santa in the Region of Murcia