Andalucia is great destination for a holiday or study break. There
are many different attractions in the region: here is a list of our top five.
1) Seville Holy Week
Holy Week, or Semana Santa, is celebrated throughout Spain, and is
the country’s most important religious festival. Nowhere is it more important
than in the cities of Andalucia, with Seville’s celebrations being the most
extravagant and popular.
Processions organised by the city’s Catholic brotherhoods parade
through the streets every night, carrying sculptures and wearing clothes that
tell the story of the resurrection.
They are watched mostly in respectful silence. If you want to visit
Seville for Holy Week, why not combine it with a language course at Clic Seville? Visit the Spanish courses department
page for more information. Learning the Spanish language will really help you
understand the festival.
2) Jerez Horse Fair
Jerez is known for the incredible equestrian performances that take
place at the Andalucian School of Equestrian Art. The Horse Fair, held every
May, dates back around 500 years, when it was simply a place to buy and sell
horses. Today it includes music, flamenco and partying until dawn.
3) Granada International Music and Dance Festival
Also known as the Granada Music Festival, this event has its roots
in the court performances put on by local dancers and musicians at the Alhambra
in the late nineteenth century. It has grown to become an incredible
celebration of Spanish classical music and dance.
Performances are held at venues throughout the city in June and
July. Many of them are open air, with the city as an atmospheric backdrop. Many
others are held in the city’s many beautiful historic buildings, including the
Alhambra. The festival attracts about 30,000 people each year.
4) Cordoba May Crosses Festival
This is a religious festival celebrated in many towns and cities
throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It has particular importance in
Andalucia, and especially in Cordoba. The festival celebrates Saint Helen.
After converting to Christianity, Helen went on a search for the
true cross, and found three crosses. She realised that the true cross would be
able to perform miracles, and set about testing them, healing the sick in the
process. She is celebrated at the festival with crosses made of spring flowers,
flower- covered floats in procession, and music and dance events.
5) Malaga Fair
The Malaga fair is held every August to celebrate the re-capturing
of the city by Catholic kings in 1497, from its Moorish rulers. The first
festival was held as a street procession, and grew to include bull-fighting,
fireworks and more.
Today’s festival is celebrated day and night, and today, with music
and dancing, drinking and tapas in the streets and parks of the city. It
combines tradition with modern Spain, attracting tourists and locals from
across the Costa del Sol.
Useful links
Travel and events in Spain.
Official site of the Granada festival.