Easter in Madrid combines tradition and solemnity, with at its heart the mysteries of the Passion, Death and the Resurrection of Christ, the Triduum Paschale.
During Holy Week, carved images and sculptures of the Virgin Mary, which spend the rest of the year housed in basilicas and churches, are adorned with candles, flowers, and richly embroidered shawls and carried in procession through the streets of the city (most of them pass through Puerta del Sol – click here for the official programme of events in Madrid), accompanied by dozens of penitents and borne aloft by costaleros—members of different religious guilds who dedicate themselves to carrying the holy imagery.
The first processions taking place in our streets and squares, on the Friday of Sorrows, are El Cristo del Pozo y Nuestra Señora de los Dolores and El Santísimo Cristo del Perdón y María Santísima de la Misericordia.
One of the most celebrated is La Borriquita which starts at the Almudena Cathedral and Royal Palace, and winds through Madrid´s historic quarter until it reaches Malasaña and a blessing outside the Church of San Isidro, Madrid´s patron saint before returning to the cathedral.
On Wednesday the Archbishop of Madrid performs The Stations of the Resurrection Vía Crucis ceremony. Following shortly after that is a remarkable veneration conducted by the Brotherhood of “Cruzados de la Fe“, who reverently remove their Christ icon Santísimo Cristo de la Fe from his resting place at Atocha 87 to perform a besapié – where the devoted show their love by kissing his foot.
Los Gitanos, Las Tres Caídas, Jesús Nazareno El Pobre, Jesús de Medinaceli and many more, all visually stunning and extremely moving. It’s a unique chance to see the beatiful images adorned with candles, flowers and cloaks, which are usually stored inside basilicas and churches, like the figure of the Divine Captive, bound at the wrists, carved by Mariano Benlliure.
Of course all traditions have their typical dishes and Madrid has its famous chickpea stew, torrijas (Spain’s answer to French toast), fried cod Soldaditos de Pavía and bartolillos pastries available in bakeries and restaurants all over the capital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE MADRID NEWS AND EVENTS