5 Places Around the World to See Holy Week Observances

Holy Week, the period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, is observed in a variety of ways throughout the world, often with colorful pageantry mixed with solemn reminders of the week before Christ’s crucifixion. Tourists are welcome at most observances, some of which take on a festival air, especially on Easter Sunday. Here are some places family travelers might consider traveling.

Semana Santa, Holy Week, is observed most notably in Spain and Latin America. In Seville and throughout Andalucía, these take the form of lengthy processions that fill the streets each night as various churches place sacred statues and images on elaborately decorated floats carried by bands of the faithful. Although these processions are solemn, the atmosphere elsewhere in Seville during Semana Santa is quite festive.

In Antigua, Guatemala, the atmosphere is more solemn, but even more colorful, as streets are decorated in carpets of fresh flowers and colored sawdust arranged in intricate mosaic designs. Known as alfombras, these are often so delicate, they appear to be painted on the pavement. Carpets remain undisturbed until one of the processions walks on them, carrying massive platforms with religious figures.

Although these processions are deeply rooted in the Spanish Catholic tradition, alfombras reflect the ancient Mayan practice of spreading flowers for their rulers to walk upon. Similarly, in Peru, Semana Santa observations reflect both Catholic and Andean traditions.

Holy Week in Ayacucho is Peru’s main religious festival, when local residents reenact scenes from the life, death and resurrection of Christ. The festival is highlighted by immense pyramids of lights, and many of the ceremonies are accompanied by singing.

In Italy, the most travel-worthy Holy Week activities are in Sicily, especially in Trapani, where groups of sculptures are carried through the streets in around-the-clock processions during the two days preceding Easter Sunday. Processions that weekend in the town of Enna involve 16 brotherhoods who parade through the streets carrying torches, statues of the holy family and precious relics in silence except for somber music and singing. On Easter Sunday, the whole town erupts in celebrations.

Perhaps the most unusual Holy Week event is the Moriones Festival in Marinduque, Philippines. Dressed as Roman soldiers in masks and elaborate, brightly colored costumes, locals reenact the story of the Roman centurion Longinus, who converted to Christianity after his involvement in Christ’s crucifixion. In addition to being a religious celebration, the Moriones Festival includes colorful parades, street performers and a general holiday air.