Easter Week in Murcia

Murcia’s Holy Week is known for its distinctive penitents, or nazarenos, who wear robes in different colours and are easily recognised by their unusually large “bellies”. These are actually bags secured with tight cords, filled with sweets, pastries, boiled eggs and even broad beans. Throughout the procession, they hand out these treats to friends and family, creating one of the most characteristic sights of the local celebrations.

Other processions follow a more solemn tradition, without distributing sweets. These include the Refugio, Rescate, Salud, Retorno and Cristo Yacente processions.

One of the most impressive events is the Procesión del Silencio, held on Holy Thursday. However, the most important is the famous Procesión de Salzillo, which sets off at 7 a.m. on Good Friday, just as the first rays of sunlight appear. Known as the “kiss”, this first ray is expected to fall on the banner of the Brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno or on the face of the Dolorosa.

The procession features remarkable religious sculptures, including La Cena, La Oración en el Huerto, El Prendimiento, Los Azotes, La Mujer Verónica, La Caída, Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (a sculpture not created by Salzillo), San Juan and La Dolorosa.

Good Friday also brings several afternoon processions, including those of Cristo de la Misericordia, San Esteban Church, Santo Sepulcro and San Bartolomé. Some of these processions can be seen passing together along Trapería Street.

On Saturday, the Cristo Yacente procession departs from Santo Domingo Church. One of the most moving moments of Murcia’s Holy Week takes place when the procession passes beneath the Arch of Santo Domingo, creating a truly memorable scene.