Semana Santa in Aledo
Programme of events during Easter Week in Aledo
Aledo is high up above Totana and Alhama de Murcia in the mountains of the Sierra Espuña, and has retained much of its atmosphere since medieval times with the keep of the old castle dominating the town.
Aledo hosts an atmospheric Semana Santa, with the processions taking place through the winding streets of the old town, and one particularly interesting event is the performance of the Auto Sacramental, the Agonía de Cristo. This is very much along the lines of the plays in Old English which recreated the last days of Christ and is amongst the most important in the Region, following a tradition which dates back to the medieval court of King Alfonso X "El Sabio".
Viernes de Dolores, Friday of Sorrows (the Friday before Good Friday)
20.00: A Via Crucis, following a route through the streets of the town (Calle Alfonso X, Calle Cid Campeador, Calle San Ramón).
Holy Saturday
20.00: A Semana Santa concert performed by the Agrupación Musical de Aledo, taking place in the Centro Cultural.
Palm Sunday
10.30: A musical "Pasacalles" parade through the streets featuring the Banda Cabildo de Hermandades de Aledo.
11.30: Blessing of palm leaves and olive branches, followed by procession through the streets.
Easter Wednesday
22.00: Procession of silence.
Maundy Thursday
22.00: Procession of the Prendimiento de Cristo (The Taking of Christ).
Good Friday
10.00: Procession del Calvario (the procession to Calvary).
18.00: Auto Sacramental de la Agonía del Señor. This is the theatrical representation of the last days of Christ, a tradition which originally came from the court of Alfonso X, and takes place inside the church of Santa María La Real.
22.00: Procession of the Santo Entierro (Holy Burial) through the main streets.
Easter Sunday
10.00: The Procession of the Encuentro, during which there is a meeting between the figures of Jesús Resucitado and the Virgin Mary as well as San Juan Evangelista (St John the Baptist). The event takes place in the main streets of the town.
Mobile: 696 962 116
Oficina de Turismo de Aledo
The tourist information office of Aledo is located within the Torre del Homenaje, the keep of the castle at the top of the old town, and although it is possible to drive to within just a few metres of the tower and park in the streets just below, this can be an unnerving experience for those unaccustomed to driving in narrow streets. It may be advisable to park lower down in the town close to the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) and walk 5 minutes up to the castle.
Aledo is a hilltop town, originally built by the Moors and then rebuilt by the Christian forces of the Reconquista, who took this area during the 13th century and converted it into a Christian stronghold from which to continue their fight to claim all of Spain for a further 250 years.
The tower is well worth a visit for the views alone, although those with an interest in geology or fossils will also find the 20 million year walk back in time down into the valley below of great interest, as the rock upon which the castle is built is renowned internationally as a location of geological interest.
Aledo also contains the only surviving Picota, or pillory, in the Region of Murcia, as well as a church, the Iglesia de Santa María Real, containing two sculptures by the baroque master Francisco Salzillo. It is also within the Sierra Espuña regional park and is a good stop-off point if heading up into the mountains, and the views from the church plaza and tower are spectacular.
On 6th January it is the scene of the traditional Auto de los Reyes Magos, a musical nativity play which takes place in the streets of the town with the participation of donkeys and many of the local townspeople.
The tourist office is open only when the tower is open, so for enquiries at other times contact the Town Hall on 968 484422 (alcaldia@aledo.es).
For more information visit the Aledo section of Murcia Today.
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