Jueves Santo Oración en el Huerto (Maundy Thursday Procession)

Jueves Santo (April 2) descends into Gethsemane’s shadow with Oración en el Huerto processions, where violet-robed nazarenos bear thorn-crowned pasos wreathed in olives and silver lanterns along the Guadalquivir’s banks—costaleros strain to marchas fúnebres from 50 bands, evoking Christ’s sweat of blood. Over 20,000 in this dusk-to-dawn vigil, rooted in 13th-century monastic velás, culminate in besamanos where pilgrims queue to kiss the Virgin’s hand in tearful vows. Incense curls with jasmine; streets hush to whispers and bell tolls. Sevilla becomes a confessional under lantern glow—end with potaje de vigilia (garbanzo stew) at Santa Paula Convent, its cloister a haven of reflection. Riverside perches capture the paso’s riverine silhouette; it’s penance’s poetic hush.