Holy Week in Seville

Semana Santa (Holy Week) takes place during the week before Easter and has held an important place in Seville's calender for centuries Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP

Starting on Palm Sunday more than 55 brotherhoods make the procession to Seville's Cathedral to commemorate the Passion of Christ. Some will make the walk bare foot Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP

Each brotherhood walks though the narrow streets of the city from their church to the Cathedral and back, in a tradition that dates back to the 16th century. Here penitents wait at the church for the start of the 'La Paz' brotherhood procession Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP

People of all ages take part. Here a young penitent waits for the start of the Santa Genoveva brotherhood procession Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP

A 'costalero' during the Holy Week procession of 'Los Estudiantes' (The Students) brotherhood carries the 'Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia'. Each church carries an image of Christ, the Virgin, or a scene of the Passion on a 'paseo' - a moveable float Photograph: Alberto Morante /EPA

The celebrations make an impressive spectacle that is both a fiesta and a time of religious devotion Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP

Crowds from across Spain and further afield pack into the city's streets to watch the parade Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP

The processions can last for hours - even through the night - depending on the distance of each church from the Cathedral Photograph: Cristina Quicler/AFP

A penitent with the 'Cruz de Guia' (Guide Cross) leads the the procession of the Santa Genoveva brotherhood Photograph: Eduardo Abad /EPA

The 'El Cerro' brotherhood leave a church as they start their procession Photograph: Miguel Angel Morenatti/AP

The feet of a penitent of the 'Hermandad de la Paz' brotherhood Photograph: Jose Manual Vidal /EPA