Tonight saw the climax of the Easter Processions in Benidorm, with all of the brotherhoods from churches in Benidorm taking part this Good Friday. Spain certainly retains its traditions and cultural identity as would have been demonstrated across many towns and cities this evening.
The procession started at the blue-domed San Jaime church at the top of the Old Town, winding its way down the tiny cobbled streets, carrying the magnificent “Pasos” - extremely heavy floats with sculptures depicting the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary.
These were carried upon the shoulders of men and women, each accompanied by a band. Some were so wide that spectators had to jump into doorways to allow them to pass. Each was also accompanied by a marching band.
Members of the brotherhood wore the traditional cloak and conical hood to mask their faces, a custom dating back to medieval times – enabling the wearer to repent for their sins and seek forgiveness while masking their identity.
Each group wore different coloured clocks and some also walked bar footed, with their feet symbolically chained together. There was a heavy police presence – both uniformed and plain clothed mingling with the crowds and the resort appears full to capacity with a mixture of domestic visitors from Madrid and holidaymakers from the UK.
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