One of Malaga’s most important weeks, Semana Santa takes place in 2024 from Palm Sunday on 24 March to Easter Sunday on 31 March. The whole city is dedicated to this great Catholic event during this week and visitors come from all over the country to attend. Because Malaga is one of the cities where it is celebrated at its biggest, the city is hugely crowded. It is therefore very beautiful and impressive to see and experience. But what exactly is Semana Santa and what all happens during this ‘Holy Week’?
Brotherhoods
Processions take place throughout the week. These processions are organised and performed by the 42 brotherhoods, the Cofradías, which are located all around the city. Each brotherhood runs its own route, starting and ending at its own brotherhood building. You can recognise these brotherhoods by their huge doors that usually look very beautiful too. Most brotherhoods are linked to a church where they also organise other things for and with during the rest of the year.
Thrones
During the processions, the suffering of Jesus is commemorated by the brotherhoods. They try to imitate this suffering by carrying huge thrones. These thrones are beautifully decorated with flowers and/or candles and carry statues of Mary and Jesus. It is a real challenge for the participants as they can weigh up to 5,000 kg and a procession lasts up to 13 hours. These heaviest thrones are therefore carried by around 200 to 250 people. Some bearers make it a little tougher on themselves by walking the procession blindfolded, barefoot, or with chains around their ankles. The reason participants want to do this is because it is their penance and it is a real honour and opportunity to be able to participate.
Another special fact is that every year a number of prisoners walk along. And having done their penance after completing the procession, they are released from prison after this. But don’t worry, there are strict rules applied and it won’t be prisoners who have committed an extreme crime, so Malaga is still safe.
Processions
As each brotherhood has its own route, you can see processions passing by in almost the entire city centre. To follow the live locations of each procession and see more information, download the app El Penitente. If you want to see as many processions as possible, the best place is to head to Alameda Principal and Calle Marqués de Larios streets. Here, you will see a whole bunch of chairs and grandstands along the route. These seats are reserved for sometimes hundreds of euros.
Check out the detailed programme below with each brotherhood’s itinerary for each day.
Sunday 24 March
Monday 25 March
Tuesday 26 March
Wednesday 27 March
Thursday 28 March
Friday 29 March
Sunday 31 March
