What a day we had in Zaragoza.

I must confess we knew nothing about this when we planned the trip originally. But Easter in Zaragoza I will NEVER forget. This being Samana Sante (or Holy Week) there have been processional parades by different sects of the church with each one pushing a religious float or other. The floats depict events that occurred during the Passion of Christ. Eg. The last supper, the flagellation, the betrayal, the crucification and ultimately the resurrection. The processions are always accompanied by massed drummers and trumpeters in colourful liturgical costume usually topped off with tall spired hoods. They present quite a spectacle.
The groups (there are 25 in all) each wears their own particular colours and designs in their liturgical garb. As a grand finale all the groups paraded together in sequence in a continuous flow that ultimately totalled over 5,000 people, the largest parade to date. As the drums pound they fill the streets with an astonishing noise and atmosphere.
From our vantage point overlooking the Plaza it took 3 and a half hours for the whole parade to pass by. No, I will never forget Zaragoza.

A religious float depicting an event during the Passion.

Each group depending on their size (which can vary from 50 to over 400) will push one or more and accompany them with drums and trumpets.

This group was particularly large and very flamboyant in their white cassocks and scarlet hoods.

 They stretched for most of the length of the Plaza.

Another group with their float.

Not quite so large but plenty colourful and noisy with their drums pounding.

Yet another group in their particular garb and float.

There were 25 groups in all.