THE PASSION TRAILS: feel the passion

Baena’s unique Easter celebrations are set apart by its religious brotherhoods and their outfits. The characters representing “Coliblancos” and “Colinegros” Jews make this celebration extremely attractive. One of the most significant aspects of the Easter processions is the sound and colour of the handmade drums used.

There are many religious festivals in Baena during the year, including the Víspera and San José processions on 18 and 19 March, when the city is overwhelmed by crowds of drummers along the route of the “candelorios”.

In May, Baena is filled with colour for the Exaltation of the Cross, and again on 16 July for the Virgen del Carmen Fiesta, when the streets of the Almedina area are carpeted with painted sawdust and decorated with flower pots, plants and Manila shawls.

On 13 September, the last day of the “Triduo” is celebrated in honour of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno during which all the children born in the last year are offered to our Father. At night, Baena is bathed in light and colour by fireworks and then by a fair. On 14 December there is a procession featuring the images of Jesús Nazareno and the Virgen de los Dolores.