When the “Unión de Hermandades” (Union of Brotherhoods) was created in 1937, an Official Route was also established (1938). All processions must follow this route, which starts on “Alameda Cristina” (Cristina Boulevard) and ends at the Cathedral. Each day, various Brotherhoods hold their processions along the Official Route, and the oldest Brotherhood is always the last to set out. Chairs and stands are provided for spectators, although these are usually reserved well in advance. Visitors who would like seats can ask one of the stewards whether any are still available. The Official Route is managed by the Union of Brotherhoods, who also arranges the schedule for each confraternity at the beginning of Lent. This is decided upon at a meeting attended by the Head Brothers of each confraternity. The meeting is known as the “Cabildo de Toma de Horas” (Timekeeping Assembly).
Over the years, the Official Route has been extended, and now encompasses Alameda Cristina, Calle Larga (Larga Street), Calle Lancería, Plaza del Arenal (El Arenal Square), Plaza Monti, Calle Manuel María González, Calle de la Rosa, Plaza de la Encarnación, and the Cathedral, where all the confraternities pay penitence (a ritual known as “Estación de Penitencia”).
At the beginning of the Official Route, there is a point known as the “timekeeping stand”. There is spectator stand midway along the route for church and civil dignitaries, and a second “timekeeping stand” inside the Cathedral. In order to see each confraternity, we recommend finding a spot along the Official Route. On Palm Sunday, five confraternities hold processions. Four processions are held on both Easter Monday and Shrove Tuesday, six on Ash Wednesday, five on Maundy Thursday (plus five more late at night), and five on the evening of Good Friday, making a grand total of thirty-four confraternities. |
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Holy Week
Official route