Totana Semana Santa

Totana Semana Santa processions schedule

The Holy Week celebrations in Totana are especially well known, and are amongst the most important of the Region of Murcia. The processions date back to the 18th century, and nowadays feature 16 different Cofradías displaying nearly 30 splendid images and tableaux, with the old, winding streets of the town providing a perfect backdrop.

More than 3,000 guild members don the Nazarene tunic for the processions, 390 of them being the "ladies of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza", who wear the "mantilla" (the traditional lace headdress), rosary beads and the devotional scapular, and carry walking staffs in their silent procession on the Wednesday of Easter Week. 

Most of the guilds were formed during the 19th century, but in the 1930s the Civil War devastated the sculptures and tableaux in Totana. The regeneration of the Semana Santa celebrations after the War included the foundation of four new guilds, who helped to regain the splendor of the old traditions with new icons.

The tableaux most popular with the people of Totana are the Cristo de la Agonía, the Virgen de la Esperanza, Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno and Salzillos Magdalena, and these items are revered all year round, not only during Easter. The most renowned processions are those on Easter Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with the most tableaux being paraded on the Thursday and Friday. The most famous artists featured are Francisco Salzillo, Lozano Roca, Carrillo, Antonio Ruiz and Sánchez Araciel.

One of the peculiarities of Semana Santa in Totana is the presence of the "Armaos". These are Roman soldiers, whose participation is always warmly applauded by the assembled crowds. This group dates back to the 18th century, when eighteen men from the most important families in the town dressed as Romans to carry the images of Nuestro Padre Jesús and the Holy Sepulchre in the Good Friday evening procession.

Another important aspect of Totanas processions is the "Bocina" (siren) or "Dragón", which makes the sound of a sad wail during the parades.

The music and colour of Totanas celebrations make Semana Santa a special time to visit Totana, and if you can tie in a visit as part of your Semana Santa schedule, do so, you won´t be disappointed.

The two main locations are the Parroquia de Santiago which is in the main Plaza de la Constitución in the heart of town and the  Parroquia de las Tres Avemarías, in the Plaza de las Trés Ave Marías close by.

Ash Thursday
12 midnight, Plaza de la Constitución, Greeting of Nuestra Señora la Virgen de Dolores.

Good Friday, Viernes de Dolores

20.30 from the Parroquia de las Tres Avemarías, SOLEMNE VIA CRUCIS with the image of NUESTRO PADRE JESÚS NAZARENO.

Palm Sunday, Domingo de Ramos

On this Sunday morning the palms are blessed outside the Parroquía, and then the procession takes place through the streets of the town, Jesus on a donkey leading, families in their Sunday best behind, clutching their palm decorations. It´s a charming family event.
10.45, Plaza de la Constitución, Blessing of the Palms, Procession and Holy Mass in Parroquia de Santiago.

Route : Pl. de la Constitución, Mayor Sevilla, García Alíx, Cañada de Zamora, Avda. de Lorca, Sol, y Pl. de la Constitución.

Following the blessing of the palms the procession of the palms takes place, leaving from the Parroquia de  Santiago and the Parroquia de las Tres Avemarias.

Route: Ermita de San Roque, San Roque, P. Melchor de Benisa, Juan XXIII, Juan de la Cierva y Glorieta del Convento

10.45, Ermita de San Roque, Blessing of the Palms, Procession to the Convent and Holy Mass.
9pm Procesión Penitencial, from the convento de las Tres Avemarias

Lunes santo, Holy Monday

21.00 Penitence Procession leaving from the Parroquia de las Tres Avemarías. 3 pasos.

Martes Santo, Holy Tuesday

10pm procession leaving from the Parroquia de Santiago in Plaza de la Constitución. 6 pasos

Miercoles Santo, Holy Wednesday

22.00, from Parroquia de Santiago, Procession in Silence featuring the "manolas" (ladies in traditional dress). Images of the Cristo de la Agonía and Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza. 2 pasos.

Jueves santo, Holy Thursday

10.00, Plaza de la Constitución, Handing Over of the Flag to the "Armaos" (Roman Soldiers)

18.00, Parroquia de Santiago, and 18.30, Parroquia de las Tres Avemarías, Holy Mass for the Last Supper

10pm Procession leaving from the Parroquia de Santiago. 14 pasos.

Viernes Santo, Good Friday

10am Procession from the Parroquia of Santiago. 9 pasos.

17.30 The image of the Holy Sepulchre is brought from the Parroquia de Santiago.

18.00, Parroquia de Santiago, and 18.30, Parroquia de las Tres Avemarías, Holy Mass for the Death of the Lord and the Adoration of the Cross.

10pm Procesión del Santo Entierro, leaving from the Parroquía de Santiago. This is probably one of the most important processions with 14 pasos.

Sábado Santo, Holy Saturday
23.00 in Parroquias de Santiago and las Tres Avemarías, Easter Vigil and Resurrection Mass.

Día de Resurreción, Resurrection Sunday , Easter Sunday

This is the morning of light and resurrection, the image of Jesus arisen leaving from the Tres Ave Marías and the Holy Virgen de la Alegría leaving from the Plaza de la Constitución. Each follows its own route then they join together at 12 Midday in what´s known as an encuentro, the 2 pasos meeting together to tumultuous applause. It's a lovely moment, full of light and flowers.

10.30 Procession of the Image of Jesus Risen, itinerary Parroquia de las Tres Ave Marías - Glorieta - Juan XXIII - San Antonio - Puente - Plaza de la Constitución.

10.30 Procession of the Image of the Holy Virgen de la Alegría, route Plaza Constitución - calle Sol - calle Álamo - Cánovas de Castillo - General Aznar - Plaza de la Constitución.

12 midday The two processions meet in the Plaza de la Constitución, followed by a joint procession, itinerary Plaza Constitución - calle Puente - calle Pilar - calle Don José María - Plaza Miguel Marín - Avenida Santa Eulalia - calle San Antonio - calle Puente - Plaza  Constitución.