Semana Santa

Location:
Popayán, Colombia

Other Activity Types:
Culture center, Church

By Lorena Fernández

Easily the most important holiday in Popayán, and one that has been celebrated annually for more than 450 years, Semana Santa transforms Popayán into a colorful procession of Catholic tradition, bringing in hundreds of visitors every year.

Following the model of Seville, Spain, the processions in Popayán are all nocturnal, except for the one on Palm Sunday, in which the triumphant entrance of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem is represented with the images of Saint Ecce Homo and El Señor Caído, taken from the chapel of Belén to the Basílica.

On Holy Tuesday white flowers adorn the procession that carries four images from the church of San Agustín to downtown. The procession on Wednesday uses pink flowers in representation of the joy of humanity for his immediate redemption. Holy Thursday is celebrated with a procession of red flowers at the 18th century church of San Francisco. Holy Friday begins at the church of Santo Domingo. A symbolic representation of the drama of The Passion is given with purple flowers and a group of men carrying hammers and other tools. Men wear white handkerchiefs with a small purple crown on their shoulders.

The religious significance of this holiday has blended deeply in Popayán with its culture, which makes Semana Santa a major attraction in the city.

Travel Skills: None