Easter Week celebrations on the island are characterised by the religious processions.

Easter Week celebrations on the island are characterised by the religious processions. These typical Easter parades are held across all towns on the island. The largest is the Maundy Thursday procession in Palma known as “Sant Crist de la Sang” (Holy Christ of Blood) in honour of the statue that is most beloved and venerated by Majorcans. Written records on this procession date back to 1554. It begins in the Patio of the Misericordia building and moves through the streets in the city centre: Oms, Sant Miquel, Plaça Major, Cort, the Cathedral…

It stands out for its respectful silence, the solemn atmosphere and huge participation of penitents.

The procession comprises different Catholic brotherhoods or associations. On Maundy Thursday, 34 brotherhoods and around 4,000 members take part. The music of the drums, the hooded penitents, the candles, the night-time and the beauty of the steps all go to create an impressive atmosphere.

The passing of Our Lady of Hope can be seen in the photo. It is carried on the shoulders of 28 “costaleros” (bearers) and weighs 1,400 kg. The difficulty lies not just in the weight but also in walking in the dark. The “costaleros” are covered by the flaps and need to walk or rest following the orders of the hammer strikes. Another problem is eyes irritation caused by the fine sand spread on the pavement to avoid any slips which the wax from the candles could cause.
The beauty of the statue and the effort of the men carrying it are truly moving.