The sound of haunting drums and solemn trumpets fills the streets of Palma. Silent figures in long robes with pointed hoods are slowly walking through the narrow streets of the old town. Many of them barefoot on the cold cobblestone, some even wearing iron chains around their ankles. The processions carry me all the way to the medieval times. A last slow-down before Easter and spring kicks in with force and life comes to a bloom.

No matter how often I’ve watched the Easter processions in Palma they never fail to fascinate me. And I am not the only one, the number of participants has been increasing continuously. Even the youngest walk for hours, proud to wipe of the wax from the long candles to keep them burning. It is long past midnight when the last confrarias arrive at the Cathedral. 

Read more about Semana Santa on Mallorca: Felices Pascuas – Happy Easter!