Semana Santa (Easter) 28th – 4 April
Sunday 28th March sees the start of Semana Santa (holy week) or Easter. It is the most important religious event in Andalucia and in Olvera it is officially recognised as ‘Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia’.
During the week various ‘pasos’ or platforms depicting different scenes are carried solemnly through the streets of Olvera. These pasos are incredibly ornate and extremely heavy, some needing more than seventy men to carry them up and down the small streets of the town, which is no mean feat when you consider that some of the processions last nearly nine hours.
Sunday 28th March – Procesion de la borriquita (little donkey)
The procession starts around midday from the church at the top of the town, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (the Parish of Our Lady of the Incarnation). The paso depicts the image of Jesus astride a donkey, carried by 24 men though the streets of the town returning to the church around eight hours later.
Tuesday 30th March – Procesion de el cautivo (procession of the captive)
This depicts the capture of Jesus by the Romans and consists of two pasos one of Jesus and the other with the Virgin Mary this leaves the Plaza de Socorro in the early evening and winds its way though town and eventually up to the church at the top.
Thursday 1st April – Procesion de Jesus Nazareno y Ntra. Sra de los Dolores
This procession leaves the church at around 6am, and has two pasos one showing Jesus carrying the cross and the other of the Virgin Mary. Each of these platforms requires seventy two men to slowly transport the pasos down through the town and then back up to the church.
Thursday 1st April - Procesion de la Vera Cruz (the cross)
Leaving early evening from the church it involves numerous pasos including one of Jesus on the cross and again one of the Virgin Mary.
Friday 2nd April – Procesion del Santo Entierro (holy burial)
The last procession of the week with platforms of Jesus in a glass coffin and another one of the Virgin Mary. This leaves the church early evening and returns in the early hours.
