The Holy Week of Easter in Valladolid is one of the festivals in Spain that generates the greatest attraction among tourists. Its multicoloured carved sculptures have a great artistic value and some of them are in the National Museum of Sculpture, being allowed out temporarily to take part in the processions.
Reasons to visit Valladolid
If you’ve been asking yourself where to go in Easter this year, there are plenty of reasons to make the most of this getaway and enjoy Valladolid, the perfect destination. It is the capital of Castile and León, although some time ago, in the seventeenth century, it became the capital of Spain for a few years.
Valladolid has very important museums such as the Casa de Cervantes Museum, the Casa Museo de Colón, the National Sculpture Museum or the Science Museum of Valladolid. That’s surely a compelling enough reason to visit, although it’s not the only one. Strolling through the Plaza Mayor with its alleys and emblematic buildings is an unparalleled experience, as well as enjoying a fun family day in Campo Grande, a huge public park located right in the centre.
Valladolid is a destination of reference for wine tourism in the Spanish peninsula. It is a province with a record five designations of origin recognitions for its wine, which is in high demand. Nor should we ignore the gastronomy and tradition of the tapas, something deeply rooted among the inhabitants of Valladolid.
Rigour and passion during Easter in Valladolid
Wooden sculptures and incredibly valuable carvings are the main players in the Valladolid Easter processions. During the rest of the year they remain in museums, convents and churches, and only come out on these specially-marked dates.
Religious imagery is very important in Valladolid, as are the emotional acts that take place throughout the week. For example, the General Procession of the Sacred Passion of the Redeemer, celebrated on Good Friday, is one of the most important processions where all the fraternities are present. In the Sermon of the Seven Words, for its part, the Plaza Mayor is converted into a unique setting where an incredible representation takes place: a religious person who talks about the seven words that Christ said on the Cross.
It’s not surprising that in the eighties, Valladolid’s Easter celebrations were declared to be of International Tourist Interest and were later recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In Valladolid there are a total of 21 brotherhoods, the oldest being that of Vera-Cruz (dating from the 15th century), and 33 processions are celebrated that begin with the Friday of Sorrows and end on Easter Sunday.
