Archbishop Of Madrid Leads Start Of Easter Week

March 28, 2026 Madrid Metropolitan

The Archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo Cano, has formally blessed the Easter celebrations this year.

In an open letter to Madrileños the archbishop said that the Holy Week ” celebrates the central mystery of the faith: the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And it does so not only within the walls of its houses of prayer, but also in the streets; in the places we visit each day when we go to work, to school, to do our shopping or simply to stroll and enjoy our city”.

“The people of Madrid, as well as those who visit us at Easter, view the images carried through our neighbourhoods as part of their history and a living tradition passed down from generation to generation, and we can see this reflected in the faces of those who accompany the processions”.

Semana Santa is a bid deal in Spain and none more so than in the capital where tens of thousands are expected to attend the processions and events.

Holy Week in Madrid has been attracting a lot of new visitors from all over the world for the past few years. The convenience of its Processions passing through central areas such as Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol enables the accommodation of such incoming spectators and an up-close experience.

While Madrid offers a more accessible experience, many smaller towns across Spain are known for more traditional processions. In regions like León, Sevilla, Salamanca, or Andalucía, celebrations can feel more intense as they incorporate elements of local identity and customs passed down through generations.

The events are organized by religious brotherhoods, known as cofradías, who carry large floats, or pasos, through the city. The figures on these platforms represent apparitions central to Catholic tradition, most notably the Virgin Mary.

In Madrid, these evening processions will move through Madrid’s historic center, where participants will then dress in traditional pointed hoods and walk alongside the floats in silence and for long distances.

One of the most important religious sites during Semana Santa is the Cathedral of Almudena. In its crypt, visitors can see representations tied to the Virgin of Almudena, Madrid’s patron virgin.

Additionally, devotees can also enjoy visiting the Jesús de Medinaceli, one of Madrid’s most spiritual sites. Known for its tradition of worshippers lining up every Friday to kiss the feet of the statue. Year-round, the lines for this visit wrap around the block, and during Semana Santa, as the religion intensifies, expect even longer queues.

Semana Santa 2026 will take place from March 29th to April 5th. The week begins with Palm Sunday and the procession of La Borriquita, symbolizing Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. For the full itinerary, visit the Madrid website here.

For food lovers, the celebration also offers a diverse range of food. Dishes range from “soldaditos de pavía (crispy fried chunks of cod), potaje de garbanzos a la madrileña (chickpea stew with spinach, cod, potatoes, and a hard-boiled egg), and croquetas de bacalao (cod croquettes) to torrijas, Spain’s answer to French toast.”

Additionally, for visitors traveling with children, Madrid offers activities for the whole family. In addition to being able to visit a unique puppet theatre in El Retiro, the Planes Familiares website showcases a variety of family-friendly activities.

Traveling to Madrid for Semana Santa is a busy experience, but for observers of the holiday, it offers an unforgettable trip that blends a city with religion.