March 22 to 31 Semana Santa 2024 in Yecla
The traditional Easter processions of Yecla date back to at least the 16th century
As in many other parts of the Region of Murcia Semana Santa is a very important week in the calendar of Yecla and a number of impressive processions are held featuring the town’s religious and artistic heritage. These are organized by the “Cofradías” (or brotherhoods) who undertake the religious parades of penitence, and have been declared as being of Regional Tourist Interest.
Yecla also has an excellent Semana Santa museum in the atmospheric former church of La Asunción, which contains the more than 80 figures and tableaux paraded in the streets every year in 11 processions as well as embroidered adornments, gold and silver pieces and wooden sculpture. The best known of the figures is the Virgen de las Angustias, created by Francisco Salzillo in 1763, which is usually revered in the Basílica de la Purísima, and the statue of Santísimo Cristo de la Adoración de la Cruz by José Esteve Bonet (1800).
The schedule of events for Semana Santa 2024 in Yecla is as follows:
Friday March 22 (Viernes de Dolores, Friday of Sorrows)
22.00: The Procession of the 7 Words of Jesus on the Cross
Route: The church of San Nicolás, Algezares, Mediodía, Cerro, San Isidro, San Cristóbal, Pintor Miguel Palao, Cruz de Piedra, Hospital, Placeta Ortega, España, Plaza de la Purísima, Basílica de la Purísima.
Saturday March 23
21.00: The Procesión de la Sangre y el Perdón
Route: The church of San José Artesano, Paco Corbalán, Maestro Mora, Francisco Castaño, Avda. Literato Azorín, Cura Ibáñez, Arcipreste Esteban Díaz and back to the church of San José Artesano.
Sunday March 24, Palm Sunday
11.00: The Procession of the Palms
Route: Plaza Mayor, La Corredera, Jabonería, Hospital, Placeta Ortega, España, Plaza de la Purísima, Basílica de la Purísima.
The Procession of the Palms or "La Burrica" (the little donkey, because it includes a little donkey) is among the most popular and is accompanied by a multitude of children and adults carrying palm leaves and olive branches.
Monday March 25, Lunes Santo (Holy Monday)
22.00: The Penitential Procesión del Rosario
Route: The church of the Niño Jesús, Juan Ortuño, San Bartolomé, Algeciras, Bailén, Ramblizo, Madrid, Serratillas, Santa Bárbara, Niño Jesús, Arco del Niño, Juan Ortuño and back to the church of the Niño Jesús.
Tuesday March 26, Martes Santo (Easter Tuesday)
21.00: The Procesión de los Farolicos
Route: The church of San Francisco, Parque de la Constitución, San Francisco, Plaza de España, Plaza de la Purísima, Basílica de la Purísima.
This is arguably the most picturesque event of the week, as children accompanying the tableau of Christ in a reclined position carry their small lanterns throughout the event.
Thursday March 28, Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday)
21.00: The Procesión de la Pasión
Route: Plaza de la Purísima, España, San Isidro, Cruz de Piedra, Hospital, Niño Jesús, Pintor Aguirre, Juan Ortuño, Plaza de la Purísima, Basílica de la Purísima.
This is another popular procession among visitors, featuring 17 Pasos or carved figures in the procession known and more than 3,000 participants in an event full of light, music, flowers, art and devotion.
Midnight: The Procession in Silence
Route: The Iglesia del Hospitalico, Jabonería, La Corredera, Plaza Mayor, Epifanio Ibáñez, Quevedo, Niño Jesús, Arco del Niño, Juan Ortuño, Plaza de la Purísima, España, Placeta Ortega, Hospital and back to the Iglesia del Hospitalico.
For this procession all the lights are turned off in the centre of town and the penitents are accompanied only by the sounds of saetas, a type of hymn sung by a lone voice, and the prayers of the participants in the Vía Crucis. This is always an atmospheric occasion, charged with emotion as the penitents mourn the betrayal of Christ.
Friday March 29, Viernes Santo (Good Friday)
9.00: The Procession of Calvary
Route: Plaza de la Purísima, Juan Ortuño, Arco del Niño, Quevedo, Epifanio Ibáñez, Plaza Mayor, Concejal Sebastián Pérez (where the Cortesía takes place at 11.00), La Corredera, Cruz de Piedra, San Isidro, España, Plaza de la Purísima, Basílica de la Purísima.
20.00: The Procesión del Santo Entierro
Route: Plaza de la Purísima, España, San Isidro, Cruz de Piedra, Hospital, Niño Jesús, Pintor Aguirre, Juan Ortuño, Plaza de la Purísima, Basílica de la Purísima.
Followed by the Cortejo del Santo Entierro: Plaza de España, San Francisco, Parque de la Constitución, Iglesia de San Francisco.
This is another procession featuring 17 pasos, starting at sunset. It is one of the most emotional occasions of Semana Santa for the faithful.
Midnight: The Procesión de la Soledad
Route: Iglesia de San Francisco, Parque de la Constitución, San Francisco, Plaza de España, Martínez Corbalán, Hospital, Iglesia del Hospitalico.
The Virgen de la Soledad joins the procession while the public sings the moving "Stabat Mater Dolorosa". The night ends with “La Plática de Despedida" o "Sermón de la Soledad” (Sermon of solitude).
Sunday March 31, Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday)
9.00: The Procesión del Resucitado
Route: Plaza de la Purísima, Martínez Corbalán, Niño Jesús, Juana Valera, Epifanio Ibáñez, Plaza Mayor, Concejal Sebastián Pérez.
The figure of Cristo Resucitado leaves the church of San Francisco at 10.15 via the Parque de la Constitución, San Francisco, Plaza de España, Martínez Corbalán, Hospital, Maestro Polo, Corredera, Plaza Mayor and Concejal Sebastián Pérez. The “encuentro” and the reléase of the “Diablico” takes place at 11.00 before the procession continues to La Corredera, Cruz de Piedra, San Isidro, España, Plaza de la Purísima and the Basílica de la Purísima.
This is a highly unusual procession due to the presence of “El Diablico”, a little devil who runs around the procession attempting to escape the triumph of Life over Death and Good over Evil!
If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor, 1, telephone 968 754104, email turismo@yecla.es).
And while visiting, don’t forget to try the typical local gastronomy of the time of year, including pasties filled with potato, or a white bean stew with balls of cod!
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
Address
Plaza Mayor, Casa de los Arcos, s/n 30510 YECLATel: 968 754 104
Oficina de Turismo de Yecla
Yecla is a large municipality in the north of the Region of Murcia, home to just under 35,000 people, and these days is best known for its wines, which enjoy Denomination of Origin status, and its furniture production, which has its origins in the abundance of pine trees on the mountainsides and the high plateaux.
While visitors in the 21st century may be attracted primarily by wine tourism, the town (or city, as it was proclaimed in 1878) also has a wide historical, cultural and natural heritage, and an identity quite different from the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia. For this reason it is often grouped together with its neighbour and fellow wine-producing area Jumilla as part of the Altiplano area.
Yecla borders with Castilla-La Mancha and the Region of Valencia and is closer to Alicante coastal areas than much of Murcia. These visitors come to see the historic old town itself - an atmospheric and interesting place, crammed full of history - the natural beauty of Monte Arabí, with stunning views for those who enjoy the outdoors, the gastonomy and of course the wine route.
Yecla boasts cave paintings from 10,000 years ago in Monte Arabí, a Bronze Age settlement at El Arabilejo, Iberian remains in El Pulpillo and a Roman administrative centre at Los Torrejones as well as the remnants of the 11th century Moorish castle on the hill behind the town. More modern (and complete) testimony to the past are the buildings in the town centre, which include the grandiose Basílica de la Purísima, with its striking blue dome, the archaeological museum and the attractive Plaza Mayor, where the 16th century Town Hall stands alongside the Renaissance Casa de los Alarcos, the clock tower and the old grain store.
The tourist office holds a full selection of leaflets, maps, pre-planned routes, accommodation and restaurant options and information about visiting Yecla for both individuals and groups.
There is parking close to the tourist office, although those driving to Yecla for the first time are advised to park in Calle Perales.
For further information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 8.00 to 15.00
Saturdays 10.30 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.30.
Public holidays 10.30 to 14.00
Click for map, Yecla tourist office
