The 40 days that precede Easter, known as Lent, is another period when the Caminos de Pasión towns come alive, each with its unique Lenten traditions to prepare for the Easter Week celebrations.

Throughout Lent, a wealth of events that combine a mix of culture, religion and tradition fill the ten towns’ calendars, including tours of monumental heritage sites, vía crucis and sculpture transfer processions and sacred art exhibitions. The towns’ brotherhoods are at the heart of many activities during this period, such as besamanos hand-kissing ceremonies, proclamations and open doors days at the brotherhood houses. Flamenco, in the form of the solemn lament called a ‘saeta’, and processional marches take centre stage in many of the concerts and gatherings held at every corner of the route.

Food also plays a leading role and numerous popular dishes and typical sweets are only made during this period. Many bars and restaurants offer special menus and participate in the Lent Food Route with an array of cod-based dishes and stews, known as potajes de vigilia. For example, Osuna’s repapalillas (cod fritters) or Alcalá la Real’s chullas (fish balls) are only served during Lent. Torrijas (bread pudding), gajorros (spiral-shaped pastries with a hint of lemon and cinnamon), pestiños (sesame-flavoured pastries) and rosquillos fritos (doughnuts) add a touch of sweetness. It is also the busiest time of year for our local craftspeople, whose handiwork comes to life on many of the elements paraded through the town’s streets during Easter Week. Visitors are welcome in their studios to witness how they work, which is a unique opportunity to experience the behind the scenes preparations for the most important week in the heart of Andalusia.