Traditions with the family: Holy Week in Seville

Holy Week is tradition, culture, history… and, of course, family. The passion for the brotherhood is transferred from parents to children and the streets of Seville become the perfect place to enjoy this celebration in the hands of the youngest members of the family. However, the ‘bullas’, nerves and haste are bad companions when going out with children. Therefore, proper planning will be essential to enjoy the experience to the fullest and share unforgettable moments with the family without stress.

We give you some tips to enjoy the brotherhoods’ processions with children and peace of mind:

 

1. Plan your route

Going out with children requires some planning. Plan a route through the widest streets where you can see the brotherhoods of each day. It is normal to prioritize getting the perfect angle in the nooks and crannies that only the most faithful know, but, when going with children, it will be better to opt for wide spaces, where they can move with tranquility and where they feel comfortable. The important thing is to share these special moments together and transmit to them the passion for family traditions.

Some tips to trace the perfect route for the little ones:

There are a number of enclaves that are very comfortable to see the cofradías with the little ones. Here are some tips to help you define your route:

Palm Sunday and Holy Monday

Palm Sunday:

  1. La Paz: Maria Luisa Park is a large enclave in which to see this Brotherhood with children.
  2. Jesús Despojado: the Plaza de la Magdalena is one of the most comfortable points of the route with children.
  3. La Hiniesta: passes through the Alameda, where there is space for them to see the brotherhood without big crowds.
  4. El Amor and La Borriquita: El Salvador is one of the best options for their routes.
  5. La Estrella: it passes through Reyes Católicos, a more comfortable space for children.
  6. Amargura, La Cena and San Roque: can be seen in Plaza de la Encarnación.

Holy Monday:

  1. Polígono de San Pablo: can be seen in Luis Montoto.
  2. La Vera Cruz, Las Penas and Santa Marta: will go through El Salvador, so it may be a good option to be in the area with children.
  3. San Gonzalo and Las Aguas: they cross the Plaza de la Magdalena, with plenty of space for the little ones.
  4. El Museo: the Plaza del Museo is a unique enclave to enjoy this brotherhood’s procession desfilar.
  5. Tiro de Línea: it crosses the María Luisa Park, a perfect place for children to feel less stressed.
  6. El beso de Judas: it crosses through La Encarnación.

 

Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday

Holy Tuesday:

  1. La Candelaria: one of the points through which it passes is Puerta Jerez, where there is space for the little ones.
  2. San Esteban: crosses the Plaza de la Alfalfa.
  3. El Dulce Nombre and Santa Cruz: they make their route through the Plaza del Triunfo, where children will be able to see the Nazarenes of both.
  4. Los Javieres: crosses the Alameda.
  5. Los Estudiantes and Cerro del Águila have marked in their itinerary the Plaza Nueva, where we can settle with children.
  6. Hermandad de San Benito: it passes both in its outward and return by Luis Montoto.

Holy Wednesday:

  1. Carmen Doloroso goes out to the Alameda, a comfortable space to be able to see the brotherhood.
  2. La Sed: the neighborhood of Nervión becomes the perfect place to see La Sed with children.
  3. San Bernardo: crosses the Puerta de la Carne.
  4. Los Panaderos and La Lanzada: both pass through El Salvador.
  5. Las Siete Palabras: have in their itinerary marked the passage through the Plaza Nueva.
  6. Cristo de Burgos: is one of the best options for children to enjoy the brotherhood in the homonymous square.
  7. El Baratillo: it can be seen more comfortably in the Plaza de la Magdalena.

 

Maundy Thursday and 'Madrugá'.

Maundy Thursday:

  1. Las Cigarreras: the brotherhood of Las Cigarreras can be enjoyed in the wide Asunción Street.
  2. La Quinta Angustia: it is possible to see it more comfortably in Tetuán street.
  3. Los Negritos: the little ones will be able to see this brotherhood more comfortably in Recaredo.
  4. El Valle: it will be a very good option to see it in Plaza del Triunfo.
  5. Montesión: we will be able to see the brotherhood in Plaza del Duque.
  6. Pasión: to see Pasión with children, El Salvador becomes a perfect enclave.
  7. La Exaltación: Plaza de la Encarnación will be a good place.

Madrugá:

While the Madrugá is one of the great moments of the Sevillian Holy Week, it is likely that children are tired when it is time to go out to enjoy it. However, we propose the option of going out to see it around 9 in the morning, being able to enjoy it the morning of Good Friday, since several brotherhoods of ‘la Madrugá’ continue with their route through the streets of Seville. This is the case of:

  1. La Macarena: we will be able to see it in La Resolana.
  2. Los Gitanos: will attract the attention of the little ones in Ponce de León street.
  3. La Esperanza de Triana: can be enjoyed in Pagés del Corro.

 

Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Good Friday:

  1. Soledad de San Buenaventura, El Cachorro and La O: may be seen more comfortably in the Plaza del Triunfo.
  2. Monserrat: to see this brotherhood, the Magdalena is a good option.
  3. La Mortaja: the Plaza del Cristo de Burgos is one of the most recommended places to see the procession with children.
  4. La Carretería: early in the afternoon it is possible to enjoy in El Arenal de La Carretería, whose boat playground conquers the little ones.
  5. San Isidoro: El Salvador is a unique spot to see San Isidoro.

Holy Saturday:

  1. El Sol: we will be able to see the brotherhood as it passes through El Salvador.
  2. La Trinidad and Los Servitas: it will be possible to see them in La Encarnación.
  3. Santo Entierro: children will enjoy this brotherhood as it passes through Plaza Nueva.
  4. Soledad de San Lorenzo: it will attract the attention of the little ones in the Plaza del Duque.

Resurrection Sunday:

  1. San Marcos area: it is the ideal place to see “El Resucitado” with the family and celebrate Easter Sunday.

 

2. Teach them children's customs

There are some customs that are especially popular among children, a clear example is the traditional ‘wax ball’. It is common for the little ones to create balls of wax thanks to the Nazarenes, who carefully pours hot wax on it. The children enjoy making the ball grow in size throughout the week, and even keep them year after year.

This is not the only tradition that attracts the attention of the little ones. Traditionally the Nazarenes carried candy to keep the children from being afraid. This custom is maintained today and has been extended to other formulas, such as the giving of holy cards, which attract the attention of children.

3. Taste the typical gastronomy of the time

Torrijas, leche frita, pestiños… After long walks, there is nothing like stopping at a café or even at home to recharge your batteries and taste the typical sweets of the season. The little ones need to rest for a while and will be happy to taste these homemade sweets.

4. Enjoy the tradition with them

These are dates to share and live the passion for Easter as a family. This is the priority when you go with children, assume that it is normal that there are unforeseen events and enjoy it with them. The tantrums, the nerves and the tiredness are part of the day to day, but it will be worthwhile to accept them and to enjoy these traditions with them.