{"url":"https://www.thelocal.es/20200410/seven-weird-traditions-celebrated-at-easter-in-spain","title":"Spain's seven weird Easter traditions revealed","domain":"thelocal.es","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/36867121/pexels-photo-36867121.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Spanish Easter procession","category":"Other","language":"es","slug":"d271d241","id":"d271d241-c179-418b-bbf8-882365472f0b","description":"Spain celebrates Easter with seven unusual Holy Week traditions across regions.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Spain celebrates Easter with seven unusual Holy Week traditions across regions.\n- **15,000** joined León's largest pub crawl procession in **2005**.\n- Some traditions face backlash for anti-Semitic origins.\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe article lists **seven** strange Easter traditions in Spain, from pub crawls to skeleton dances and prison releases. These Holy Week activities, rooted in history, mix pagan, medieval, and religious elements. It highlights their quirky or controversial aspects during Spain's intense Easter celebrations.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- **1929**: **Genaro Blanco** dies in **León**, sparking annual Maundy Thursday pub crawl procession.\n- **1759**: **Málaga** prison riot leads **King Charles III** to free **two dozen** inmates every Easter.\n- **14th century**: **Suero de Quiñones** massacres Jews in **Bierzo**, starting wine-lemonade tradition with anti-Semitic phrase.\n- **2005**: Record **15,000** participants in **León**'s Genarín procession.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- **León**'s Genarín procession: Drinking buddies honour **Genaro Blanco** with bar-hopping on Maundy Thursday.\n- **Verges** (**Girona**): Five residents, including three children, dance as skeletons with Death’s sickle on Maundy Thursday, medieval 'danse macabre' style.\n- Conical hats in brotherhoods: Originate from **Spanish Inquisition** punishments, not **Ku Klux Klan**, worn to re-enact Christ’s Calvary path.\n- **Cuenca**'s turbos: Mock Jesus for **12 hours** by jostling penitents and blocking Jesus's image.\n- **Bierzo** (**León**): Drink wine-lemonade while saying \"*salir a matar Judíos*\", linked to 14th-century pogrom; criticised by **Tarbut Sefarad**.\n- **Valverde de la Veras** (**Extremadura**): **Empalaos** strapped to crosses walk barefoot for hours, veils on faces, through **14 stations**.\n\n## Why it matters\nSpain's Easter traditions showcase unique regional diversity in Holy Week observances. Readers learn specific locations and histories to experience or avoid these events. Watch for ongoing debates over anti-Semitic elements like Bierzo's drink.[[1]](https://www.thelocal.es/20200410/seven-weird-traditions-celebrated-at-easter-in-spain)","hashtags":["#easter","#spain","#traditions","#holyweek","#culture","#history"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.thelocal.es/20200410/seven-weird-traditions-celebrated-at-easter-in-spain","title":"Original article"}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-05T06:07:49.891Z","createdAt":"2026-04-05T06:07:49.891Z","articlePublishedAt":null}