Easter in Valencia - Semana Santa (holy week)
Valencia likes to celebrate, and how better to follow on from the vibrant and noisy Las Fallas celebrations than with the Easter, Semana Santa, holy week festival.
In Valencia Easter celebrations are known as "Semana Santa Marinera" because it is celebrated mainly by the maritime areas of Cabanyal and Grau, in an attempt to hold on to their identity and traditions, having formerly been separate towns. Consisting of a full week of parades and fiestas in celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ, starting with Palm Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus arriving in Jerusalem, all the houses, buildings and roads are adorned with Palm leaves for the procession.
Processions of 28 different "brotherhoods" all with their own coloured robes and pointed hoods (which could easily be mistaken for the KKK) and floats mounted with statues of Jesus parade around the maritime district to music from their own accompanying bands.
Processions are held in Valencia but the main events are based around the maritime districts of Cabanyal and Grau.
Easter in Valencia in general brings good weather, which the locals like to enjoy with picnics on the beach or in the nearby countryside.
A great atmosphere envelopes the city of Valencia during Easter, Semana Santa, a good time to take in the atmosphere of the historic old quarter, El Carmen, with its many open air plazas and artisan shopping.
Take a visit to the Semana Santa Museum where you can see all the costumes, regalia and images from the history of Easter in Valencia including video of past processions. Although this doesn´t match up to seeing it live with the atmosphere in the streets.
Easter is a great time to visit Valencia, Semana Santa in Valencia. An apartment on the beach or an apartment in the historic old quarter of Valencia would be ideal in order to enjoy all that Valencia has to offer during its Easter Celebrations.
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