The children made Semana Santa keepsakes by catching drippings from the long candles, making cool little balls of wax.
The procession floats don't use motors and aren't on wheels....they're human-powered!
Most of the processions had a group of Spanish ladies wearing the tradtiional mantillas (on their heads).
During rest stops, a maintenance guy with a portable ladder would make sure the candles stayed lit.
This little hammer/noismaker was used to alert the bearers when it was time to lift the float.
Procession crossing the Roman bridge.
Most of the processions had some sort of marching band.
The bearers usually go a fairly short distance before being relieved.
Interior of one of the floats.
Interior of one of the floats. There were eight cross-beams, and five bearers on each beam. With each bearer carrying 30kg, this works out to 1200kg, or 2640lb for the float.
Interior of one of the floats. This lever was used to control a hydraulic system to raise and lower the cross, which otherwise would not fit through the door of the church.
Lever (palanca) control directions: toward the inside to raise the figures, toward the outside to lower them.
Headdress of the float bearers. The cloth would be hooked under one of the crossbeams, so these poor guys were actually carrying the weight on their necks.
One of the floats had the traditional Roman statue of Romulus and Remus being suckled by a wolf.
Everyone gets in on the fun!
Roman soldier casting lots for Jesus's cloak.
Roman soldier giving water to Jesus on the cross.
Some of the candles weren't strong enough for the grueling walk.
Some people were lucky enough to have apartments with balconies fronting on the procession routes.
Float passing in front of Iglesia San Miguel.
Very lifelike figure from one of the floats.
Float entering the Mezquita.
Float exiting the Mezquita after being blessed by the bishop.
Float exiting from Iglesia San Cayetano.
Some people got good viewing spots on the rooftops.
Goose-stepping soldiers.
Can't walk in the procession? No problem!
From El Patio de los Naranjos at the entrance to the Mezquita.
Once the float is inside the Mezquita, the marchers have a few moments to enjoy a cigarette.
Some of the marchers went the whole way barefoot. Having seen what I've seen on the streets of Córdoba, I'm not sure I'd want to try this!
Float inside of the Iglesia San Lorenzo.
The Iglesia San Lorenzo is one of the oldest churches in Córdoba, and has some of the most interesting interior artwork.
Iglesia San Lorenzo
Easter Day float, showing the Resurrection.
Easter Day float
Girls showing off their balls of wax.
La Virgen de la Alegría. Note that this is the only smiling Virgen we saw all week; she's been mourning the crucifixion all week, but is now rejoicing at the Resurrection.
Easter Day procession entering the Iglesia San Marina.
To enter the church, the lower platform was removed from the float, revealing wheels.
The hydraulic system was used to lower the figures to allow the float to go through the church door.
The helmets were also removed from the Roman soldiers. Tonya thought it was because they wouldn´t fit through the door, but I think it was because not even Roman soldiers were allowed to enter the church with head coverings.
