Holy Week in Valladolid

Why will you be surprised by the Holy Week in Valladolid?

The Holy Week in Valladolid is one of the most popular and crowded in Spain, declared as an International Tourist Interest since 1980, it has a great wealth of traditions and processions. Here are some ways in which the Holy Week in Valladolid can surprise you:

• The solemnity of the processions: The processions are the most prominent event of the Holy Week in Valladolid, and one of the main surprises for many visitors is the solemnity and respect with which they are carried out. The processions are characterized by great emotion and seriousness, with numerous brotherhoods and penitents parading through the streets of the city carrying steps of great artistic and historical value.
• Processional music: The Holy Week in Valladolid has a unique and very special soundtrack. During the processions, the music bands perform processional marches that accompany the images on their journey, creating a very emotional atmosphere.
• The beauty of the processional steps: The processional steps of the Holy Week in Valladolid are true works of art, created by some of the best artists of Spanish religious imagery. Many visitors are surprised by the beauty and detail of the images, which represent scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
• Religious fervor: The Holy Week in Valladolid is a celebration deeply rooted in Spanish religious tradition, and many visitors are surprised by the fervor and devotion of the city's inhabitants. During the processions, crowds of people can be seen following the steps and showing their respect and admiration.
• Popular customs: In addition to the processions, the Holy Week in Valladolid has numerous popular customs and traditions that may surprise you. For example, it is common to see the facades of houses adorned with embroidered bedspreads and shawls, and you can find typical sweets of the season, such as torrijas, in pastry shops.

The Holy Week in Valladolid is a celebration full of surprises and emotions, which combines solemnity and respect with beauty and art. If you have the opportunity to visit Valladolid during this time, you will surely have an unforgettable experience.

Processions of the Holy Week in Valladolid

The processions of the Holy Week in Valladolid are one of the main attractions of this religious celebration. During the Holy Week, the 20 Brotherhoods and Guilds of Valladolid participate in 33 processions with 61 steps, representing scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

These are some of the most outstanding processions of the Holy Week in Valladolid:

Procession of the Palms

The Holy Week in Valladolid begins with the procession of the Palms, which is celebrated on Palm Sunday. In this procession, the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is commemorated, and the penitents carry palms and olive branches.

Procession of the Holy Christ of Light

This procession is celebrated on Holy Thursday and is one of the most emotional of the Holy Week in Valladolid. In it, the step of the Holy Christ of Light, a work of the sculptor Gregorio Fernández, who represents Christ with the cross on his back, is taken to the streets.

Procession of the Dawn

The procession of the Dawn is celebrated on the night of Holy Thursday to Good Friday, and is one of the most spectacular and crowded of the Holy Week in Valladolid. In it, several steps are taken to the streets, among which the Holy Christ of Good Death, which represents Christ dead on the cross, stands out.

Procession of the Holy Burial

The procession of the Holy Burial is the most solemn and emotional of the Holy Week in Valladolid. It takes place on the afternoon of Good Friday, and several floats depicting scenes from the Passion and Death of Christ, as well as the image of the Sorrowful Virgin, are taken out to the streets.

Procession of the Encounter

The procession of the Encounter is celebrated on Easter Sunday, and it represents the meeting between the resurrected Jesus and his mother, the Virgin Mary. In this procession, several floats are taken out to the streets, among which stands out the one of the Resurrected.

The processions of the Holy Week in Valladolid are a display of religious fervor and the devotion of the city's inhabitants, and a unique opportunity to contemplate some of the best works of Spanish religious imagery.

Recommended Crafts and Shopping

In Valladolid and its surroundings, there are various options of recommended crafts and shopping that you can consider, such as:

• Ceramics: In the town of Medina del Campo, some of the oldest ceramic factories in Spain can be found, where you can find pieces of great quality and beauty.
• Leather goods: The city of Valladolid is known for its leather-making tradition, where high-quality leather handbags, wallets, and other accessories are made.
• Wines: The Ribera del Duero region is famous for the quality of its wines, and in Valladolid, you can find numerous specialized shops to acquire these delicious drinks.
• Cheeses: Excellent cheeses are made in the surroundings of Valladolid, such as Villalón cheese or Medina cheese, which can be purchased in local food stores.
• Sweets: The city of Valladolid is famous for its traditional sweets, such as Santa Teresa's egg yolks or Soria's sponge cakes, which can be found in numerous pastry shops and food stores.

Valladolid and its surroundings offer a wide variety of options for recommended crafts and shopping, which can be a good option to take a nice souvenir from the city and the region.

Popular cuisine in Valladolid

Valladolid's cuisine is very varied and has typical dishes and products of the region, some of which are:

• Roast lamb: It is one of the most popular dishes of Castilian cuisine, consisting of a suckling lamb roasted in a wood-fired oven, giving it a very characteristic flavor and texture.
• Garlic soup: It is a traditional soup made with bread, garlic, paprika, olive oil, and meat broth, and is usually consumed as a single dish.
• Burgos black pudding: It is a typical regional sausage made with pork blood, onion, and rice, which is consumed both fried and boiled.
• Segovian punch: It is a typical dessert of the region, made with a puff pastry dough filled with custard cream and covered with a layer of marzipan.
• Ribera del Duero: The Ribera del Duero region is famous for the quality of its wines, especially red wines, which are made with Tempranillo grape variety.

In addition to these dishes and products, in Valladolid, numerous restaurants and tapas bars can be found, offering a wide variety of gastronomic options, from traditional dishes to signature cuisine, including vegetarian and vegan options. Valladolid's cuisine is rich and varied, with options for all tastes.