La Selva del Camp: A Heritage Festival of National Interest
Today, Good Friday, Holy Week reaches its peak with the celebration of many of the professions and viacrucis of these days. Some towns in Tarragona have completely genuine expressions, customs and traditions that make the day unique. In some cases, the events have even been cataloged as a Heritage Festival of National Interest by the Government of Catalonia.
The Semana Santa de la Selva del Camp is a prominent example of these celebrations. The party, held by the villagers and especially by the Confraría de la Sang, has been a cause of cultural, participatory and touristic interest. For this reason, La Selva has a high level of popular participation and a series of very unique characteristics, with a special mention of the Way of the Cross on the way to Calvary, also recognized as a Festive Heritage Element of National Interest.
The unique and traditional experience of Holy Week in La Selva del Camp is characterized by the extraordinary plastic beauty of the Holy Friday profession, the silence broken by the sound of the spears of the armed men and the indigenous musical melodies, the active participation of entire families , the festive character and the feeling of belonging shared by the Selvatans.
The Three Graces in Reus: A Centenary Tradition
In Reus, Holy Week is distinguished by the prominent presence of the Three Graces. In the ordinations of the Royal Congregation of the Most Pure Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ of Reus, mention is made of a profession, more or less regulated, for the transfer of the image from the Priory to the temple of the Blood.
The Iron Men, also called the good thief and the bad thief, guard the image of Saint Christ during the celebrations. This tradition, with medieval roots, is an integral part of the Holy Week in Reusen and has been preserved over the years, contributing to the cultural wealth of the region.
Killing the Snake in Riudoms: A Centennial Staging
In Riudoms, the celebration of Holy Week includes a peculiar staging: the symbolic killing of a snake in the Church Square. At 9:00 a.m., this performance takes place, which has its roots some 75 years ago and continues to be an important part of local festivities.
The tradition of killing the snake in Riudoms has its origin in the need to raise funds for the choral music of the processions. This practice, despite being a symbolic staging, has endured over time and is an essential part of the Easter celebrations in the town.
