Úbeda is definitely a must for those who enjoy visiting the interior of Spain. One of the most important renaissance towns in Europe, its history is much older and is one of the great meeting points of Christian, Muslim and Jewish culture. Úbeda along with the neighbouring town of Baeza was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003. There is a huge variety of architecture set in one of the most beautiful spots in Andalusia. The bars still serve tapa although the problem here, with the most popular bars, is getting through the door! It is also one of the main centres for Olive growing in the province of Jaén.
I was privileged enough to spend part of Easter Week this year with some Spanish friends in their home in Úbeda, my first visit to a Semana Santa in Andalusia. I managed to see most of the processions and captured a few on video.
For someone raised as an Anglican Protestant, as I was, Semana Santa is the most extaordinary religious experience. Although I was told the whole week had become something of a fiesta, there still seemed to be an awful amount of devout people in the crowd. The atmosphere was electric, thick with incense and the sound of medieval music and rounds of applause as the costaleros carried the staues and floats through the town. Two of my favourites were the carrying the Virgin up the hill of Grace (La Subida) and the march of the Roman Legions which, according to Wikipedia, is the best representation in Spain.
I’ve indexed all the videos on this page, even though some have their own posts elsewhere on the blog. Only a few of the processions are represented but it does give you a flavour of the event. There are two ways to view the videos; either scroll through the playlist at the foot of the page or click on individual highlighted links in the index. The latter will take you to the video on YouTube.
1. Miércoles Santo – Last Supper (Cofradía Eucarística de la Santa Cena Hermanad Sacramental Wednesday, 31st March 2010),
2. Jueves Santo – Scourging of Christ (Maundy Thursday - Cofradía de Nuestro Señor en la Columna y María Santísima de la Caridad. 1st April 2010),
3. Viernes Santo (Good Friday) – Christ falls on road to Calvary followed by Our Lady of Sorrows (literal translation Blessed Mary of Bitterness) by the Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Caída y María Santísima de la Amargura. 2nd April 2010,
4. Viernes Santo (Good Friday) – Part 1 – Christ Crucified leaves Holy Trinity (Iglesía de la Santísima Trinidad). Start of the procession of the Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración y María Santísima de los Dolores. Christ Crucified and the Blessed Virgin (Our Lady) of Sorrows,
5. Viernes Santo(Good Friday) – Part 2 – Our Lady of Sorrows leaves Holy Trinity (Iglesía de la Santísima Trinidad) Start of the procession of the Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración y María Santísima de los Dolores. Christ Crucified and the Blessed Virgin (Our Lady) of Sorrows,
6. Viernes Santo (Good Friday) – Procession of the Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración y María Santísima de los Dolores, followed by the Band of the Guardia Civil. Christ Crucified and the Blessed Virgin (Our Lady) of Sorrows,
7. Viernes Santo (Good Friday)- Cofradía de Nuestra Senora de Las Angustias y Descendimiento de Cristo. Our Lady of Sorrows and the Descent from the Cross,
8. Viernes Santo (G00d Friday) – Saeta y Subida Cuesta de la Merced – Cofradía de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad y María Magdalena (Sociedad Benéfica de Albañiles). Saeta (sacred song), followed by the subida filmed from behind and a turn later on in the procession,
9.Procesión General 1 – La Humildad; Real Cofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Humildad y Nuestra Señora de la Fe. Complete procession. The procession of the Roman Legion and la banda de romanos, is considered the finest in Spain,
10.Procesión General 2 - Highlights of the General Procession. Sorry, not all of the procession is represented. Nightime procession with various of the cofradía.
