Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday Procession)

Semana Santa dawns on March 29 with the Hermandad de la Borriquita’s procession, evoking Christ’s Jerusalem triumph as 2,000 nazarenos in purple velvet wave olive fronds from the Cathedral’s Giralda shadow. Forty-eight costaleros heave the Virgin of Hope paso—a 17th-century silver behemoth with embroidered manto cascading like molten gold—through Santa Cruz’s labyrinth, marchas like ‘La Entrada en Jerusalén’ swelling to balcony saetas that pierce like arrows of devotion. This 12-hour rite, tracing to medieval Palm rites, draws 100,000 in reverent hush broken by applause; the float’s sway whispers mercy amid jasmine-scented air. Sevilla’s faithful pin esclavos (badges) in solidarity—post-procession, savor pescaíto frito and manzanilla at Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, toasting renewal. For elevation, secure a guided balcony; witness the paso’s emergence as dawn’s first light gilds the Alcázar.