Holy Week in Cieza

Holy Week in Cieza constructs a narrative of the Passion through processions in which each brotherhood contributes its pasos, habits, groups of nazarenos and bearers, and its own music. The town centre, Plaza Mayor, Esquina del Convento and the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción host some of its most representative events.

Celebration dates

The processional cycle normally runs from the Friday of Sorrows to Easter Sunday, preceded by Lenten worship and events. As it follows the liturgical calendar, the dates change each year.

See the Holy Week in Cieza 2026 programme.

Places and routes

Many processions follow Plaza Mayor, Cid, La Parra, Pinos, Larga, Buitragos, San Sebastián, Esquina del Convento, Mesones, Cadenas and Cánovas del Castillo. The Basilica, the Holy Week House-Museum, the convent of San Joaquín y San Pascual and several churches and hermitages act as bases and departure points.

See also the festivals of Cieza.

Documented history

The Junta de Hermandades Pasionarias explains that penitential brotherhoods emerged from a devotional process extending between the 13th and 16th centuries. Cieza has evidence of processions and pasos from the 16th and 17th centuries. Its permanent processions board was formed in 1914 and adopted its current name in 1958.

Processions and a distinctive language

La Palma officially opens the week; Prendimiento combines drama and procession; Procesión General arranges successive scenes of the Passion; and Penitente and Santo Entierro fill Good Friday. Silencio, Descenso a los Infiernos and the transfers complete a calendar ending with Resucitado.

Notable traditions

  • The Auto and Procesión del Prendimiento, with its traditional dialogue and Tercio Romano.
  • The “Traída de los Santos” and Wednesday's Procesión General.
  • Pasos borne by anderos and the colour of groups wearing their own habits.
  • La Cortesía on Easter Sunday, when pasos enter Esquina del Convento along three routes.
  • Cieza's processional music and the Tercio Romano's “Caracola” formation.

Heritage and recognition

The celebration brings together religious sculpture from several periods, thrones, standards, lanterns and music. It was declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest in 1993, National Tourist Interest in 2011 and International Tourist Interest in 2023.

Sources