I first went to Seville on a long weekend trip and there were a large number of people carrying odd pointy hats that reminded me of witches hats.
It took us a while to work out that we were there the week before Semana Santa (Easter) and that the hats were part of the costumes that the people of Spain were in the many processions that take place in all the towns, cities and villages across Spain.
I have since learnt that Seville which is the Capital of Andalucia in southern Spain is one of the best cities from which to observe this amazing, yearly spectacle.
If you go to Seville over Semana Santa you will find thousands and thousands of people all taking part in slow moving processions that wind their way through the narrow streets of the City Center.
The processions are made up of various Brotherhoods whose origins date back 100s of years and whom the members join at a very young age.
Each of the Brotherhoods spend an enormous amount of time on the details of the costumes, marching route and the Effigies that must be carried by them for hours and hours as they make their way along the route.
Apart from the obvious Religious significance of the processions I am simply amazed at the size and weight of the effigies that are carried.
If you also take into account that the men are often marching barefoot throughout the night and moving at a snails pace then this really is something to witness.
