The last week of Lent, before Easter, is a time when Canary Islands display their Spanish Roman Catholic heritage. Semana Santa is marked with vivid religious processions taking place during the day or night-time in many cities and towns.
Semana Santa in Tenerife
The most impressive procession can be seen in the town of San Cristóbal de la Laguna in Tenerife Island. This is the largest Holy Friday celebration in all of the Canary Islands. The procession begins at 9:30 pm at the Iglesia de la Concepción. It starts in darkness, there are no lights on the streets, only candles illuminate the way. The silent procession slowly moves through the streets of the town with lots of people wearing special long robes and long pointed cowls. Some people walk barefoot, carrying large wooden crosses. The procession is accompanied by a band playing religious music. It can even look a little scary for people seeing it for the first time. San Cristóbal de la Laguna Holy Friday celebration is an old tradition that has been kept for ages. Other large processions take place in Güímar and La Orotava.
Semana Santa in Gran Canaria
On Good Fiday, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hosts a famous Procession of the Mantillas. It's a rare occasion to see local women wearing traditional Canary Island mantillas. The procession starts in the morning at the Cathedral. Its frontal part has the large figure of Jesus Christ.
