In the streets of Palma, the city comes alive at Easter and the air is filled with devotion and tradition. From the colorful processions to the delicious treats, such as the typical 'panades', 'robiols' and 'crespells', there is much to experience and enjoy.
The program for Easter Week 2023 has already begun in Palma, this year with about 5,000 cofrades and 11 processions, focusing on the procession of the Holy Christ on Holy Thursday.
A total of 33 cofradías will participate. The organization has made changes this year to the route of the procession of the Holy Christ, deviating through the streets of Unión and Las Ramblas, instead of going through Jaime III and resuming the passage through the well-known area of Can Avall.
To make it more environmentally friendly, the Asociación de Cofradías de Semana Santa in Palma has reduced the number of programs issued this year from 6,000 to 3,000 copies. Instead, a QR code has been made available on their Facebook page , where information about the participating cofradías and their clothing, as well as pictures of the processions, can be accessed in addition to routes and procession times.
Maundy Thursday
On April 6, 2023, the "Jueves Santo", the procession of the Holy Christ in Palma is an emblematic event. Since the year 1564, the image that presides over this procession is venerated on this day. The procession begins at 19:00 in the Hospital Square and ends in the Church of the Annunciation. All the cofradías participate in this procession, wearing their traditional robes dedicated to the veneration and protection of the image.
It is traditional for the priests to perform the washing of the feet of 12 men during the service, in reference to the Last Supper - in reference to the 12 apostles. The liturgy also includes a small procession inside the churches and the erection of a special altar, known as the "Monumento", on which the exposed Blessed Sacrament is displayed.
The new route goes through the Hospital Square, Costa de la Sang, La Rambla, Oms, Sant Miquel, Plaza Mayor, Plaza Marqués del Palmer, Colom, Plaza de Cort, Palau Reial, de la Victòria, Conqueridor, Plaza de la Reina, Passeig d'es Born, Plaza Joan Carles I, Unió, Plaza del Mercat, La Rambla, Costa de la Sang, Plaza del Hospital and ends in the Church of the Annunciation.
Good Friday
On April 7, 2023, the "Viernes Santo", Palma will host the procession of the "Santo Entierro". The procession begins at 19:00 in the Basilica of Sant Francesc and ends in the Church of Nostra Senyora dels Socors, where a solemn ceremony will be held. In the Catholic Church, the Viernes Santo commemorates the death of Jesus Christ and is therefore a day of mourning for Catholics. For this reason, the processions should be characterized by simplicity and modesty.
During the liturgical celebrations there is no music and the altars must be empty, the lights turned off and the tabernacles empty and open. In fact, no Mass is celebrated on Viernes Santo, but rather a prayer ritual known as "oficio." No sacraments are administered either, with the exception of Last Rites and Confession.
Other religious practices that take place on the Viernes Santo in Palma are the "Via Crucis", a Way of the Cross that is carried out at different stations and represents the Passion of Christ, and the "Sermón de las Siete Palabras", a sermon about the seven words that Jesus spoke on the cross. Another tradition in Palma is the "Visit to the Holy Houses", in which believers visit holy places to participate in prayers and rites.
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 9, 2023, Easter is the most important feast for Christians. No processions are scheduled on these days, although some municipalities in Mallorca organize encounter processions, where statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary meet during the procession. Another typical tradition of Holy Week in Mallorca is the preparation of "empanadas" (panades), dumplings without yeast, filled with meat, usually lamb, as well as sweet treats such as "robiols", filled sweet pastries, and "crespells", fried pastry rings in various shapes.
Enjoy your Easter week and let yourself be enchanted by the holy atmosphere and the traditional celebrations of Easter week. We wish you a wonderful time in Palma!
