Seville has been holding its Easter week celebrations since the 16th century, and they have become universally famous. Some 50,000 people put on traditional robes to parade in the 58 organised processions, while the “costaleros” carry the pasos (religious statues) on their shoulders. There are processions in the evening and at night every day. Each brotherhood sets out from its church and has an established route, although they must all pass the so-called “official section”, which starts in Calle Campana Street and finishes passing through the Cathedral. Once each procession has left the Cathedral, it returns to its church on a different route to that followed on the way out. The saetas are very emotional moments of the processions: these are flamenco songs, recited a cappella from the balconies in honour of the statues.
Religious devotion, art, colour and music combine in acts to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ: the processions. Members of the different Easter brotherhoods, dressed in their characteristic robes, parade through the streets carrying religious statues (pasos) to the sound of drums and music – scenes of sober beauty.
But Seville offers much more than art, religion and devotion. Apart from the world-famous Giralda, or the Cathedral, visitors to Seville can enjoy of the art of held in the Venerable Priests Hospital, whose artistic highlight is the collection of 17th-century paintings in the Centro Velázquez. It’s not a big collection but each work is a masterpiece of its genre – highlights include Diego Velázquez’ Santa Rufina, his Inmaculada Concepción, and a sharply vivid portrait of Santa Catalina by Bartolomé Murillo.
Gastronomy in Seville is another of its musts. Apart from the typical Andalusian specialities which can be enjoyed at any corner, it is highly recommendable to visit modern restaurants such as La Azote (The Rooftop), whose combination of tradition and modernity is one of Seville’s stable of modern eateries with culinary ambitions.
Whether at Easter or at any other moment of the year, there is no better way to enjoy Seville than in one of the luxurious vehicles and guided by the experts of tourtravelandmore. Comfort and knowledge, a mix which will make your trip to the city an unforgettable experience.
