Easter Week in León

During this celebration, extraordinary religious images, created in the workshops of important Baroque artists centuries ago, are paraded through the streets of the city.

León’s Easter week tradition dates back to the 16th century. Over ten days, the 16 Easter brotherhoods do not only organise thirty or so processions, but also poetry sessions, concerts and speeches. Some 16,000 members take part in these acts amidst massive expectation from the crowds. From the first appearance of the Virgen del Camino through to the release of doves on the morning of Easter Sunday, there are many highly emotional moments.Worthy of special mention is the Cristo de las Injurias procession – where scenes from the Passion are represented -, as well as the Ronda and the Pasos procession. Throughout the night of Maundy Thursday, with bells, trumpets and drums, the brotherhoods announce the departure of the procession that sets out at 7.30 on Good Friday morning. One of the most long-awaited moments is the encounter between the statues of the Virgen Dolorosa and San Juan in Plaza Mayor Square.Easter week is one of the most spectacular and emotional fiestas here. 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.