Astorga Holy Week
Declared of touristic interest in Castilla y León. It features the event of the Desenclavamiento of an image of Christ, of great historical value, on Good Friday. That takes places in the Procesión del Santo Entierro (the Procession of the Holy Burial). In the early morning the fraternity of la Vera Cruz leave their chapel and carry the image on a stretcher to the Capilla de San Esteban, where in an act reserved for the brothers, the image is nailed to the cross, and the following day it is deposited in an urn.
During the days of the Holy Week celebrations, the fraternities' processions consist of images of great artistic, cultural and traditional value. Among the impressive works are two that are preserved from the original processions: the Crucificado (Christ crucified) of 1560, which is on show in the Good Friday procession, and the image of Cristo flagelado (Christ flogged).
Apart from the images, the participation of
the musical bands is notable. There are currently four Holy Week
bands. One of them is Los Morlas, formed by two trumpeters and
a bass drum. They take part in processions such as la Santa Cena
(the Holy Supper), el Silencio (the Silent Procession), and el
Encuentro (the Meeting). The Banda Municipal of Astorga has also
taken part in the processions since the 19th century.
Leon guide