Experience Corpus Christi in Seville
Corpus Christi is one of the main religious festivities in Seville and one of the most important in Spain. We invite you to know the history of this tradition and the way of living it in Seville.
Corpus in Seville
The feast of Corpus Christi has a great tradition and many centuries of roots in the city of Seville. It is celebrated sixty days after Easter Sunday, always coinciding on Thursday. This traditional Feast of the Catholic Church starts in the late Middle Ages and is dedicated to the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, in its representation by means of bread and wine.
The Corpus Christi procession is the great public Sacramental act of the city; for a few hours, God is present in the streets of Seville. It is, therefore, for the Catholics of Seville, one of the most important manifestations of religiosity, faith and respect.
At dawn on Corpus Christi day, there is a great atmosphere of jubilation around the Cathedral, being one of the most radiant mornings in the festive calendar of Seville. The bells of the Giralda ring incessantly, even more when the Custody leaves the Cathedral to announce that God is in the street.
Entire families in their best clothes look for a corner not to miss this procession. The streets and squares are carpeted with aromatic plants (sedge and rosemary) and from the night before they are decorated with their best clothes. On balconies, shop windows, doorways and churches, altars are erected with Eucharistic and Marian religious motifs alluding to this feast.
Living the Feast of Corpus Christi
As night falls on the eve of Thursday in Seville there is a festive atmosphere. The city takes to the streets to admire the ephemeral altars that are installed in what will be the route of the procession, highlighting the decoration of the Plaza de San Francisco, next to City Hall, where two large arches of ephemeral architecture (with motifs alluding to churches and monuments of the city) and a large altar with the image of the Virgen de la Hiniesta Gloriosa (patron saint of the City of Seville) are mounted.
Discover the different covers of the Corpus and complementary information in the following link:
The decoration
We can contemplate the exquisite decoration of the shop windows of different stores and the beauty of bouquets of flowers, pastries, hangings, flags and shawls that usually adorn the balconies of the historic center.
There are music concerts in the Plaza de San Francisco and people take advantage of the extraordinary climate of the city to enjoy the gastronomy and chat in bars and restaurants in the area until late at night.
On Thursday of Corpus Christi you have to get up quite early, since the Pontifical Mass begins at half past eight in the morning and is presided over by the Archbishop. The Cathedral Chapter, the Clergy and the main civil and military authorities of the city participate in it. During the same will dance the Seises, whose origin dates from the XVI century; it consists of a dance group formed by ten children between 9 and 12 years old. They dance in front of the Blessed Sacrament at the High Altar of the Cathedral on three occasions a year: the days of the Octave of Corpus Christi (during the eight days following the feast), the Octave of the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) and during the Triduum of Carnival (three days before Ash Wednesday).
The Seises dance religious compositions with symmetrical choreographies. They carry castanets (wooden percussion instruments) in their hands, which they play to the sound of their dances. Their traditional costumes date back to the 17th century, using red for Corpus Christi and the Carnival Triduum and light blue for the Immaculate Conception. They enjoy the privilege by papal bull of being able to dance before the Blessed Sacrament covered by a characteristic hat with a turned-up front brim adorned with feathers. On the feast of Corpus Christi, during the mass, the Seises perform three dances, the first one dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament, the second to the Archbishop and the third one to the Municipal Corporation. At the end of the latter, the Mayor presents them with the traditional gold doubloon as a gift.
The procession
The procession will begin at 8:30 a.m. along the usual route.
It is convenient to get (for a minimum price) a place in the chairs located in certain sections of the streets of the itinerary, since the procession is long (about three thousand people participate), thus avoiding possible fatigue during the long course of the procession. It would also be convenient that we place ourselves in the shade, as the sun is already tight at that time, so several awnings are installed in the streets and squares to protect the public from the heat. We will enjoy the colorful, solemnity and artistic and patrimonial waste of the procession and the thousand details that we can admire.
Around noon, a few minutes after the entrance of the Custody, we can contemplate the traditional parade of the Army troops participating in the procession in the Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes. Later, from the altar located at the side door of the Archbishop’s Palace, the procession of the procession of the Christ of the Holy Supper (carried by costaleros to the sound of marches of bugles and drums) back to his church in the Convent of the Third, which will enter about 15:00 hours. Also at dusk, about 20:00 hours, will return back to the Church of San Julian from the altar installed in the City Hall the step with the Virgen de la Hiniesta.
For bullfighting fans it is customary, after enjoying the unique gastronomic offer of this city, its magnificent restaurants and bars, after a succulent lunch and a short break, the delight of going to see the bullfight that is traditionally held in the Real Maestranza on this special day. After this bullfighting experience, let yourself be carried away by the city, get lost in the charm of its streets, squares and gardens; enjoy the climate of the Sevillian night, the freshness of its outdoor terraces or by the Guadalquivir River, the hospitality of its people…live the city to the fullest.
