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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel
Kitty Corrigan

Holy parades and earthly pleasures in Spain: Easter in Granada

Evening dining in the Mirador de San Nicolas, Albaicin area, Granada
Evening dining on the Mirador de San Nicolas overlooking the Alhambra and the city.
Photograph: Sergi Reboredo/Alamy

As I turned the corner on a narrow, cobbled street in Granada, I felt as if I had stumbled upon a slightly sinister re-enactment society. Mysterious men dressed in white robes and tall, conical, face-covering hats with slits for their eyes were followed by women in black dresses and mantillas, holding pillar candles and crosses, then children wearing caped cloaks, carrying baskets of prayer cards.

It was indeed a re-enactment of sorts, but deeply rooted in Catholicism, representing the Passion of Christ, staged during Holy Week (Semana Santa), which runs from 29 March to 5 April this year. Easter processions are held across the country, but this Andalucían city hosts one of the most authentic in Spain.

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