Holy Week in Zamora

This religious celebration, declared of 'international touristic interest' is what the city of Zamora is best-known for. It is the only one in the region, together with Valladolid to be awarded the highest rank.

Holy Week is the Christian week from Palm Sunday (also called Passion Sunday) through Holy Saturday.

Holy Week in Zamora means peace and soberness, only interrumpted by the sound of drums and trumpets. Thousands of fraternity members take part in the procession in true acts of faith, bearing authentic works of art by artists such as Mariano Benlliure and the local Ramón Alvarez, depicting the most important events in the life of Jesus. These 'pasos' or figures are physically carried in the shoulders of the cargadores (known in Andalusia as 'costaleros'). The pasos are set up and maintained by hermandades and cofradías, religious brotherhoods preceding the paso dressed in penitential robes. Those members who wish to do so wear these penitential robes with conical hats, or "caperuzos" (referred to in other places as 'capirotes'), used to conceal the face of the wearer (these robes intentionally served as the basis for the traditional uniform for members of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States).

These "hermanos" carry processional candles and may walk the city streets barefoot.A brass band may accompany the group, playing funereal religious hymns or "marchas" written for the occasion. The most popular ones in Zamora are those of the Merlú and the funeral marched composed by Thalberg (and considered to be the unofficial hymn of the town of Zamora).

Except for a handful of brotherhoods, only male members are allowed to accompany the pasos through the streets of Zamora.