Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Semana Santa

Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country and the tenth largest city in Spain, with a population of about 350,000. The metropolitan area has more than 1,000,000 inhabitants. After its foundation in the late 13th century Bilbao was one of the commercial hubs of the Basque Country that enjoyed significant importance in the Crown of Castile. In 1372, John I of Castile named Bilbao a free port and granting it special privileges concerning the trade of iron. This caused Bilbao to become an important port, particularly due to its trade with Flanders and Great Britain. In 1511, Queen Joanna of Castile ordered the creation of the Consulate of the Sea of Bilbao. Under the Consulate's control, the port of Bilbao became one of the most important of the kingdom. The first printing-press was brought to the town in 1577. Here in 1596, the first book in the Basque language was edited. Around 1631, the city was the scenario of a series of revolts against the increased taxation on salt, an event locally known as the "Machinada of the salt". The revolt ended with the execution of several of its leaders. The city had seen a continuous increase of its wealth, especially after the discovery of extensive iron deposits in the surrounding mountains. Despite the Peninsular War and the Carlist Wars, Bilbao prospered during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when it rose as the economic centre of the Basque Country. In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War the city suffered its first bombing. The Nationalists threatened further bombing if the city did not give up. In September German planes, in coordination with Francoist forces, dropped at least a hundred bombs on the city. With the war over, Bilbao returned to its industrial development, accompanied by steady population growth. In the 1980s, several factors led to a devastating industrial crisis. Since the mid-1990s, Bilbao has been in a process of deindustrialization and transition to a service economy. It started with the opening of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, continuing with the Conference Centre and the Concert Hall and the metro network. Preparing for the Semana Santa

Chief Viriathus ("Viriato") successfully led the Lusitanians here in their resistance against the advancing Romans in the second century BC, until the latter were able to kill Viriathus and also conquer this area. Various milestones of Roman roads crossing here have been preserved. After the invasion of the Suebi and Visigoths in the 6th century AD, Viseu became a bishop's see. From the beginning of the 8th century, the region was ruled by Moors. During the Reconquista, Viseu also remained contested. In 1027, King Alfonso V of León fell during the siege of Viseu. Ferdinand I of León was finally able to conquer the region from the Arabs in 1057. Archaeological research has shown that there was an early Christian basilica on the site of Viseu Cathedral, which was built during the time of Suevian rule (5th-6th century), as Pope John III had already established a bishopric here in 572. After the reconquista, a first church was built from 1094 to 1114 on the site of today's cathedral. The new cathedral was built between 1289 and 1313 under King Dinis I, and the first cloister was added in 1379. The main portal of the cathedral was built in 1513. The Museu de Arte Sacra is housed in the complex of Viseu Cathedral. Christ - 13th century - the figure was used to represent the Descent from the Cross during Holy Week.

We had witnessed different Semana Santa / Holy Week traditions already. When we reached Comiso on Easter Sunday, we were too late to see the "Resurrection of Jesus", but we still found this vehicle, that was obviously used to make it better visible.

We had witnessed the solemn procession in Agrigento, that had started at midnight in Agrigento. But the Holy Week traditions were continuing. Early in the morning, very well dressed men met near the portal of the cathedral in Caltanisetta. Soon after a procession started, led by two boys.

We had witnessed the solemn procession in Agrigento, that had started at midnight in Agrigento. But the Holy Week traditions were continuing. Early in the morning, some very well dressed men met near the portal of the cathedral in Caltanisetta.

We had witnessed the solemn procession in Agrigento, that had started at midnight in Agrigento. But the Holy Week traditions were continuing. Early in the morning, some very well dressed men met near the portal of the cathedral in Caltanisetta.

The Holy Week traditions in Sicily are mostly the legacy of the 17th-century Spanish domination of the island, and still bear a close resemblance to current Easter traditions in Southern Spain. About midnight the solemn procession in Agrigento started., Thousands of people, many in costumes were involved, there was music, there were prayers... It was very impressing.

The Holy Week traditions in Sicily are mostly the legacy of the 17th-century Spanish domination of the island, and still bear a close resemblance to current Easter traditions in Southern Spain. About midnight the solemn procession in Agrigento started., Thousands of people, many in costumes were involved, there was music, there were prayers... It was very impressing.

The Holy Week traditions in Sicily are mostly the legacy of the 17th-century Spanish domination of the island, and still bear a close resemblance to current Easter traditions in Southern Spain. About midnight the solemn procession in Agrigento started., Thousands of people, many in costumes were involved, there was music, there were prayers... It was very impressing.

The Holy Week traditions in Sicily are mostly the legacy of the 17th-century Spanish domination of the island, and still bear a close resemblance to current Easter traditions in Southern Spain. About midnight the solemn procession in Agrigento started., Thousands of people, many in costumes were involved, there was music, there were prayers... It was very impressing.

I had never witnessed the "Semana Santa", the Holy Week traditions in Sicily. I knew, that these rituals are mostly the legacy of the 17th-century Spanish domination of the island, and still bear a close resemblance to current Easter traditions in Spain. At the afternoon in Agrigento, I noticed the final preparations.