20 Mar Holy Week in Barcelona 2024: Processions and Traditions

Planning an Holy Week in Barcelona? Welcome to Barcelona. Holy Week is Spain’s most important religious holiday. The celebrations, which date back to the 16th century, include somber processions with ornate pasos commemorating the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, his crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

The most famous Holy Week celebrations take place in Andalusia in southern Spain. However, cities all over Spain, including Barcelona, also celebrate processions, religious services and other rituals from March 24 to 31.

In this blog, Maldà Singular Hotel reviews the best things to see and do in Barcelona during Holy Week.

Barcelona Holy Week Processions 2024

The impressive processions are the main attraction of Holy Week in Barcelona. Organized by brotherhoods rooted in the city, they take place in emblematic places such as the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, the Parish of Santa Anna and the Church of Sant Jaume during Holy Thursday and Holy Friday. In an atmosphere of recollection and solemnity, the penitents, dressed in tunics and hoods, carry religious pasos, walking the streets of the city.

The following is a guide to the main Holy Week parades in Barcelona in 2024, which are generally concentrated in the famous Gothic Quarter, where Maldà Singular Hotel is located:

Palm Sunday: March 24th

• Procession of the Burreta

The Procession of the Burreta commemorates the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and starts at 10:00 am on Palm Sunday, from the Parish of Sant Agustí in the Raval, 5 minutes walk from a Maldà Singular Hotel. Its route takes in the iconic streets of Hospital, La Rambla, Santa Ana, Portal de l’Àngel and Cucurulla, Portaferrissa. Here you’ll find plenty of stalls selling traditional bleached palm leaves and a flashy procession of floats and costumed devotees. At the end there will be a ceremony of blessing of the palms in the Plaza San Agustín.

• Procession of Bono Mort

The Procession of the Bona Mort starts at 5:30 pm from the Parroquia Mayor de Santa Anna (Santa Anna street, 29) in the Gothic Quarter, 5 minutes walk from Maldà Singular Hotel. It goes through streets such as Santa Anna, Portal de l’Àngel, Plaza Nova, Avenida de la Catedral, Carrer dels Boters, Plaça del Pi, Carrer Petritxol, Carrer de la Portaferrissa and La Rambla, to return along Carrer de Santa Anna.

 Holy Thursday: March 28th

• Via Crucis of the Blood

The Way of the Cross of the Blood parade departs from the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi (Plaza del Pi, 7), in the Gothic Quarter, next to the Maldà Singular Hotel, at 9:00 pm. The route unfolds through the picturesque streets of the city, passing through Carrer de la Palla, Carrer dels Banys Nous, Carrer del Call, Plaça Sant Jaume, Carrer del Bisbe, Carrer de la Pietat, Plaça de Sant Iu, Pla de la Seu, Carrer de Santa Llúcia, Carrer del Bisbe, Plaça de Cucurulla, before returning to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi.

Holy Friday: March 29th

• Procession of Mare de Déu de les Angoixes

The Procession of Mare de Déu de les Angoixes begins its route from the Church of Sant Jaume in the Gothic Quarter at 6:30 pm. Following Ferran street, Sant Jaume square, Bisbe street, Cathedral avenue, Boters street, Pi street, Pi square, Cardenal Casañas street, La Rambla and back along Ferran street to Sant Jaume church.e.

• Procession of Divendres Sant

Simultaneously, the Procession of Divendres Sant departs from the Parish of Sant Agustí in the Raval at 17:00 hours. Its itinerary includes La Rambla, Santa Ana, Portal de l’Àngel, Arcs, Plaça Nova, Avinguda de la Catedral, Carrer dels Boters, Carrer del Pi, Plaça del Pi, Carrer del Cardenal Casañas, to then return along La Rambla and Carrer del Hospital to the Parish of Sant Agustí.

More informations.

Emblematic masses in Barcelona

Religious celebrations in Barcelona during Holy Week include significant masses in emblematic places of the city. The majestic Sagrada Familia hosts the Easter Sunday Mass on March 31, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. and is held on a first-come, first-served basis until full capacity is reached.

For those looking for an international experience, Easter Mass at Santa Maria del Mar, located in the upscale Born neighborhood, is an outstanding option. This celebration takes place at noon on Easter Sunday.

Barcelona Cathedral also opens its doors with special masses during Holy Week. The Mare de Déu de l’Alegria is honored with masses scheduled at 10:00, 15:00, 19:00 and 21:00 from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday (March 22 to 31, 2024). It is important to note that these celebrations are held in Spanish and Catalan.

More information.

Other Holy Week traditions in Barcelona

In addition to the Holy Week processions and masses, it is worthwhile to learn about other curious Easter traditions.

Blessing of the palms

On Palm Sunday morning, families and children bring decorated palms to church to receive the blessing, symbolizing the palm trees that flanked Jesus’ road to Jerusalem. These palms, traditional gifts from the children’s godparents, are purchased at stalls near the Cathedral, Sagrada Familia and Rambla de Catalunya around noon on Palm Sunday.

Braided palm fronds for Palm Sunday

During religious festivities, people usually celebrate with traditional foods and sweets made specifically for the occasion. In Barcelona, Holy Week is celebrated with no less than four traditional meals.

The Mona de Pasqua

The Mona de Pasqua, a delicious Catalan tradition that has evolved over time, adds a sweet and festive touch to Holy Week celebrations. This custom dates back to times when godparents used to give simple biscuits with a hard-boiled egg painted on top to their godchildren after Sunday mass.

Today, the Monas de Pasqua have taken on a new form and are proudly displayed in the city’s pastry shops. These delicious creations are true works of art, with towers of sponge cakes decorated with chocolate figures, animals, famous characters and marzipan. It is common to see shop windows full of these colorful delights in places like Escriba Gran Via (546 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes). For more elaborate creations, visit Barcelona’s Chocolate Museum, located in the Born neighborhood.

The Mona de Pasqua

Torrijas

Torrijas, a popular Holy Week dessert throughout Spain that delights all palates. This traditional delicacy is prepared by dipping thick slices of bread in milk and then battering them with beaten eggs before frying them to perfection. Once golden brown, the torrijas are topped with a generous shower of honey and cinnamon, adding an irresistible finishing touch.

The origin of these delicious calorie bombs dates back to medieval times, when monks and nuns incorporated them into their diet to overcome the forty days of fasting prior to Holy Week. Since then, torrijas have become a culinary classic that evokes the rich tradition and authentic flavor of this religious festivity.

Torrijas with honey

Bunyols de Quaresma

Bunyols de Quaresma, another traditional sweet in Catalonia on the eve of Holy Week, are irresistible delicacies designed to overcome the fasting period. These mini fritters, impregnated with the subtle aroma of aniseed, are comparable to small doughnuts that conquer all palates.

In the days leading up to Holy Week, bakeries throughout the city offer these delicious Bunyols, giving locals and visitors alike the opportunity to indulge in their unique flavor. This gastronomic tradition not only satisfies cravings, but also adds a touch of sweetness and authenticity to the Catalan celebrations leading up to Holy Week.

 Bunyols de Quaresma

Calçots

You can’t miss the quintessential Catalan dish during your Holy Week vacations: calçots (spring onions). These stunning spring onions are grilled and served with a spicy sauce known as romesco, made with red bell pepper and garlic, adding a touch of unparalleled flavor, available from January to April. Often compared to leeks or spring onions, calçots are enjoyed outdoors, especially at barbecues outside the city center. In addition, some restaurants offer calçotada experiences, giving you the opportunity to taste this delicacy in a comfortable and delicious way.

Calçots served in tile with romesco sauce on wooden table

Enjoy Semana Santa in Barcelona! Discover more about Barcelona with our recommendations of the 10 best things to do in the city for alternative plans – an invitation to explore beyond Easter and discover the authentic Barcelona awaits you!