HOLY WEEK
For several centuries
Aspe’s Holy Week is the second oldest celebration in the council, with its beginnings dating back to the 17th century. There are twelve fraternity and confraternity associations in Aspe with a total of 2,000 members, thereby attracting high participation from the whole community. A religious demonstration with a high cultural and heritage value, it was declared an Event of Provincial Tourist Interest in 2008.
Its origins date back to 1615 with the foundation of the first fraternity association named Dulcisimo Nombre de Jesus. However, the current fraternities and confraternities were not founded until the 19th century.
Aspe’s Holy Week
With the Lent, a series of events begin, such as the Lenten Cross switch on that takes place on every Ash Wednesday at the Holy Cross hermitage marking the beginning of Aspe’s Holy Week. During the Holy Week itself, hundreds of people gather around the streets of Aspe to admire the rigorous processions and the different, moving events that are part of this season.
Our traditions
Aspe’s Holy Week consists of very antique and unique traditions that set it apart from those in other parts of the region, making them firmly established in such an important and traditional celebration for Aspe. Its live representations, the Cortesias reverence ceremony, its processions and the representation of the Seven Last Words of Christ, are only a few examples.
Cult images
A very important factor in any Holy Week are its images. And Aspe is no exception with prominent examples such as: Nazareno, San Juan, Verónica, Dolorosa, Santísimo Cristo de la Buena Muerte, Maria al Pie de la Cruz, to name a few. These images above are among the oldest, and those that attract the largest crowds at the different events.
Another valuable example are our Live representations of las Marías y la Magdalena, Veronica and Samaritana, a deeply rooted and very antique tradition. These are young, single girls whose names are put forward since a very young age in order to represent these images with great emotion and affection.
Most representative events
Between Lent and the Holy Week, several events take place that carry a strong weight and emotion among Aspe’s locals. Among the most noted are: the Lenten Cross switch on, the representation of the Seven Last Words of Christ, and the Tamborada (drum band parade). In addition to the silent processions on Maundy Thursday, the Reunion Ceremony and the Road to Calvary procession held on Good Friday morning, in addition to the Holy Burial procession held on Good Friday evening, and the Resurrection and Reunion Ceremony held on Easter Sunday.