Semana Santa - Cordoba parades

We went to Cordoba to see some of the biggest parades in Andalucia. They start with rumbling drums and music and a procession of 'nazarenos', usually people from the town in dress that may seem unusual and intimidating to us, but to them is special. The most spectacular aspect of the parades are the floats. They weigh so much that they are carried by many men who wear cushions on their shoulders and supports around their waists. The men carrying the floats must be swapped regularly because of its weight. On the day we saw this parade, a crying Madonna surrounded by candles is carried after the Jesus pictured above. As this spectacular float passed us, a woman appeared from a window in the street and began to sing to the statue. We thought that this was a planned part of the procession but apparently it was a spontaneous outburst of emotion!

On this day we also explored the quaint, winding streets of Cordoba, which must be easy to get lost in without a Spanish guide! We visited a moorish tea house, which looked like an indoor courtyard, full of plants. We ordered a lovely blend of tea and some baklava-like sweets - it was lovely but strange to be somewhere that felt so arabic-feeling in Spain.