Spanish courses in Seville

Basic vocabulary of Semana Santa in Seville

Learn Spanish Living in Spain, Seville.

We would like you to familiarise yourself with some Spanish vocabulary that will help you to understand this unique Spanish Fiesta. Giralda Center-SH has developed a language activity based on this specific vocabulary in teacher training courses taught by Charo Trigos ( head of Spanish studies at Giralda Center-SH) and Jose Carlos Quintano (coordinator of cultural programmes).

Procesión; parade of people following a religious image along the streets. Hermandad brotherhood comprised of members of a particular church which organizes the yearly processions
Hermanos members of the aformentioned brotherhood, ‘hermandad’
Imagen religious sculpture carried as part of the Semana Santa procession, esither of the Virgin Mary or of a scene from the bible including Jesus
Nazareno a member of the brotherhood, ‘hermandad’, who dresses in a long, flowing robe and special pointed hood which hides his identity, who walks in the procession
Capirote a special pointed hood worn by the ‘Nazarenos’, The meaning of this hood is symbolic of grief and repentance. NO CONNECTION WITH the kkk.
Túnica the special robe worn by the ‘Nazarenos’
Paso a Semana Santa float, either of Christ or the Virgen Mary
Penitente a ‘Nazareno’ who, repenting of his sins, walks in the procession without shoes
Capataz a ‘Nazareno’ who acts to keep order in the procession
Costalero a member of the brotherhood, ‘hermandad’, who helps to carry a ‘paso’
Palio the canopy that covers the Virgin Mary ‘paso’
Cirios the special, long candles (nearly 2 m in length) carried by many of the ‘Nazarenos’ in the procession.
Cruz de guía a special cross carried at the head of a group of ‘Nazarenos’ in a Semana Santa procession
Saeta deep flamenco sung in the streets of Seville during the processions.
Banda de música the marching band that accompanies the procession, setting the mood and pace

As part of our Spanish Courses during Semana Santa, we include 2 guided tours of Semana Santa in Seville. So that students can have a better understanding of this cultural event. You will be able to watch and participate in live processions: Macarena, El Gran Poder, Cristo de los Gitanos, Esperanza de Triana, Santa Cruz, La Candelaria, Cigarreras, El Cachorro.

At Giralda Center-Spanish House we believe that learning a language is living a culture, for this reason and because of the privileged location of our Spanish school in Seville “Barrio de Santa Cruz”, we would like you to learn Spanish while, at the same time, understanding the art and feeling of Semana Santa in Seville. You will enjoy it.