Popayán Easter Week or Semana Santa

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is an annual celebration that takes place during March and April. In Latin America countries in particular the celebration is one of the most important on the calendar, and in some Colombian cities it is celebrated with fervor.

One such city is Popayan which hosts the most famous Semana Santa celebrations in Colombia. Popayan is known as the religious center of Colombia and is home to more churches per capita than any other settlement in the country.

.........................................................................................................................................

The Semana Santa celebrations in Popayan are renowned for their elaborate processions. The tradition of processions has been going on for 400 years in the village, and each is full of vivid religious imagery. Throughout the week are different processions, with perhaps the most notable being the Good Tuesday Procession and the Good Friday Procession. The Good Tuesday Procession involves effigy bearers taking four images to the center of the town, while a requiem is performed. The Good Friday Procession, perhaps the most iconic of the whole week, represents the passion of Christ in the moments before his crucifixion.

For the non-religious, Semana Santa in Popayan is still a great time to go since the ceremonies attract a variety of different performers, including a wealth of musicians for the local music festival.

In 2009, Popayan celebrations have been recognized by UNESCO and listed as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity along the Blacks and Whites Carnival in Pasto (Carnaval de Negros y Blancos).

When: March-April
.........................................................................................................................................