Manises Holy Week

Manises Holy Week, during which the death, passion and resurrection of Christ are celebrated, is a deeply-rooted tradition in Manises.

It has a long history given that the confraternity of Blood already existed, although it was not until the mid-nineteen forties when the different brotherhoods were founded and grew increasingly important.

There are currently four confraternities: the Confraternity of the Flagellation of the Lord (Red), the Confraternity of Our Lady of Solitude and Jesus of the Great Power (Black), the Confraternity of our Father Jesus of Mercy and Mary Most Holy of the Hope of the Forsaken (Green) and the Confraternity of the Holy Sepulchre and the Knights of the Holy Burial (Purple).

All of them are coordinated by the Central Board of the Confraternities, which is responsible for planning the different processions.

Celebrations start with Palm Sunday when the Palm Sunday Procession takes place followed, in the afternoon, by the procession of the Virgin of Hope and the Christ of Mercy.

The Procession of the Flagellation, Ecce Homo and the Virgin of Bitterness is held on Holy Monday.

The Procession of the Transfer of Vera Cruz is held on Holy Tuesday.

On Holy Wednesday, it’s the turn of the Procession of the Sorrowful Encounter between Jesus of the Great Power and Our Lady of Solitude.

The procession of the Silence or the Transfer of the Christ of the Ave Maria Calvary is held on Holy Thursday in the light of candles as it usually lasts until nightfall.

On Good Friday, the procession of the Holy Burial takes place. All the brotherhoods take part in this procession.

And, on Resurrection Sunday, the Glorious Encounter is held. Our Lady of Solitude meets the resuscitated Jesus, the black veil covering her face is removed and her bearers raise her up as high as possible.

It is a very special moment when joy invades the square of the church of Manises and alleluias with verses in Valencian are recited from balconies.

This week is followed by the traditional Easter which lasts until Tuesday and offers such deep-rooted activities as a trip into the country to “empinar el catxirulo", that is, to fly kites and eat “mona de Pascua”, a special sponge cake made at Easter time.

Holy Week is unquestionably a festival of strong sentiments and passion, affecting members of the brotherhoods and visitors alike.

Programs of events:

Year 2024

Poster 2024