Sorrow, do not stop: Nowhere else in the world do believers celebrate the Passion of Christ more impressively than in Spain! During Holy Week, hundreds of hooded figures with tall pointed hats and resonating iron chains parade through the streets. Some carry enormous wooden crosses or richly decorated altars with sacred figures.
In Mallorca, there are more than 50 brotherhoods, 30 of them in Palma. Being a member is an honor and is generally passed down from father to son; nowadays, also from mother to daughter (for some years now, women have been organizing in sisterhoods). The hood ensures anonymity, as penance is a private matter.
The Holy Week traditionally begins in Palma de Mallorca on Palm Sunday. On the night of Maundy Thursday, 30 brotherhoods participate in the “Processió de la Sang”, a procession featuring medieval costumes, iron chains, and sacred figures that parade through the streets. On Good Friday (Divendres Sant), Passion representations are held in various cities of Mallorca, such as the Descendiment (Devallements) processions from Mount Calvary to the parish church in Pollença or a representation on the steps of the Cathedral of La Seu in Palma.
The most important masses are celebrated on Easter Sunday. At 8:00 AM, there is a mass in Llucmajor; afterward, a procession of men carries the statue of Jesus from the church to the Encounter in the town hall square, where they meet the figure of Mary being carried by women from the parish church; simultaneously, the Sunday market takes place. On Easter Tuesday, most of the pilgrimages in Mallorca occur, such as the Pancaritat from Algaida to Nostra Senyora de la Pau in Castellitx. The Sunday after Easter is marked by a large popular festival at the Bellver Castle in Palma, featuring an extensive program for children.
Holy Thursday in Palma – The Largest Procession in Mallorca
Don’t be alarmed, these hooded men have no connection to the Ku Klux Klan. Nor do they have anything to do with the dark times of the Inquisition or with executioners. They are devout Christians participating in the Holy Week processions in Spain. On Holy Thursday, Palma becomes the stage for a joyous tragedy. By noon, the first visitors secure the best spots in the stands for spectators.
The largest and most important Holy Week procession in Mallorca, the “Processó del Sant Crist de la Sang” (Procession of the Holy Christ of the Blood), begins late in the afternoon. All the brotherhoods of the island participate in this baroque spectacle, which has been led by the officials of the oldest brotherhood, the “Confraria de la Sang,” since the 16th century. Privileged penitents carry the altars with sacred figures, which weigh tons.
The enormous crosses are borne by those known as “Nazarenes.” For hours, candle wax drips onto the cobblestones of the old town. Muffled drumbeats, the clinking of chains, lashes, and numerous visitors who cry with Jesus and the Virgin Mary from the heart. Only in the early hours of Good Friday morning do the thousands of penitents return to the hospital church, the start and end of the procession. By the way, the joy of the Resurrection is celebrated with the same intensity as the martyrdom, generally in the form of a lively bar crawl.
Good Friday in Pollença – Penance on 365 Steps
An imposing straight staircase with an astonishing 365 steps. Flanked by cypresses and oil lamps, it leads from the center of the historic town of Pollença to the Calvary chapel, with an impressive panoramic plateau. Every year, on Good Friday, hundreds of visitors flock to this picturesque site. Those who find a good spot wait patiently for hours for the moving Descendimiento procession.
After the service in the small calvary chapel of Pollença, built in 1794, some devotees pray before the life-sized crucifix in the courtyard, guarded by two inhabitants of Pollença dressed in Roman tunics. The scene seems like a depiction of the Passion. From this plateau at 170 meters high, there is an impressive view of the city and the bay of Pollença.
At dusk, two Roman soldiers take position next to the enormous wooden cross erected at the calvary of Pollença. Along the 365-step staircase, all the oil lamps are lit for hours. The staircase is as wide as a path. On each step, on both sides, thousands of spectators gather. In the town, hundreds of people fill the spots along the path of the procession. The historic streetlights bathe the crowd in a warm yellow.
Only when it is completely dark does the procession begin to move at the top of the calvary. Very slowly, step by step. A sea of torch and lantern lights. The only sound is the monotonous, meditative beating of drums. Accompanied by hooded penitents with pointed hoods (Nazarenes), the statue of Christ, wrapped in a black lace veil, is carried in a solemn Descent (Devallement) procession down the stairway of the calvary to the parish church of “Nostra Senyora dels Angels.” There, the community celebrates a midnight mass. Pollença is famous throughout the island for its mystical Good Friday (Divendres Sant). Want to experience this traditional celebration? Then stay in an exclusive rural hotel with a pool and spa near Pollença.
Sunday of the Angel
Big party at the Bellver Castle in Palma. Couldn’t make it to the island for Holy Week? Then, come a week later for the so-called Domingo del Ángel (Angel Sunday) in Palma. According to tradition, a huge folk festival is held at Bellver Castle. Each year, around 20,000 people attend this colorful event overlooking the capital. If you want to join the celebration, we have a budget hotel recommendation within walking distance of the castle.
The Most Important Dates of Holy Week in Mallorca
- Holy Thursday: In the evening, starting at 7:00 PM, Palma hosts the largest procession of all the brotherhoods on the island (Processió de la Sang).
- Good Friday (Divendres Sant): In many places, Passion plays are held; at dusk, an emotional procession of the Descent from the Cross to the parish church in Pollença (Devallement); around 7:30 PM, the procession of the Holy Burial in Palma (from Sant Francesc); around 11:00 PM, the “Sant Enterrament” (Holy Burial) procession in Sineu.
- Easter Sunday: Solemn Masses are held throughout the island.
- Easter Monday: Mallorcans enjoy having a picnic outdoors or going out to eat in the small towns and villages of the island; it is advisable to make a reservation!
- Easter Tuesday: The day of most pilgrimages in Mallorca, such as the “Pancaritat” from Algaida to Nostra Senyora de la Pau in Castellitx (the pilgrimages have a festive character).
- Sunday after Easter (Angel Sunday): A big popular festival at Bellver Castle in Palma (approximately 20,000 visitors, folk shows, extensive children’s program).
Gastronomy during Holy Week in Mallorca
On Holy Saturday, empanadas are traditionally eaten. These are crescent-shaped pastries filled with meat or fish, accompanied by vegetables, raisins, and pine nuts. If the empanadas are filled with sweet jam or ricotta, they are called “robiols.” Leftover dough is traditionally used to make cookies called “crespells.” Easter eggs are as popular in Mallorca as they are in Germany. Pastry shop windows compete to display the most beautiful chocolate eggs (“mona de Pascua”). According to Catalan tradition, children receive a “mona de Pascua” from their godparents.
Opening Hours During Holy Week
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday are holidays in Mallorca; no work is done in Palma. However, shops have the option to open on Holy Thursday (generally, only department stores and supermarkets take advantage of this right). On Good Friday, everything is closed on the island (only tourist areas remain open). Saturday is a regular working day, perfect for shopping. On Easter Monday, shops in Palma are closed; Mallorcans go for picnics in the countryside or enjoy an opulent meal in a lovely rural restaurant.
Easter Week Packages at Exclusive Rural Hotels
The Holy Week processions in Manacor are a truly impressive spectacle. During Holy Week, penitents with their long pointed hoods parade through the streets of Manacor on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. The last procession takes place early on Easter Sunday morning. If you book a Holy Week package at an exclusive rural hotel near Manacor, you can experience these mystical processions up close.
Easter Picnic: Enjoying Spring in a Country House
Mallorcans love to have a picnic during Holy Week or to go out to eat in the island’s small towns and villages. As a guest at a rural hotel, you’ll be surrounded by stunning nature, perfect for enjoying an outdoor meal. Many rural hotels also have their own gourmet restaurant. Feeling like some exercise after a lavish Easter meal? No problem; rural hotels are ideal starting points for walking and biking. Tip: Book your country house, flights, and rental car as soon as possible, as demand is very high during the Easter holidays!
