Lorca's Semana Santa, declared of International Tourist Interest, is unlike any other Holy Week in Spain. The processions are organised by two rival brotherhoods — the Paso Blanco (whites) and the Paso Azul (blues) — and instead of staying within the conventional liturgical framework they have evolved into elaborate biblical pageants featuring Roman cavalry, chariots, costumed Old Testament characters, and floats embroidered with real gold and silver thread.
The processions wind through the streets of the old quarter on each evening of Holy Week and culminate in a long, electrifying parade on Good Friday. Book accommodation months in advance. Outside of festival time, the museums of each brotherhood (Museo de Bordados del Paso Azul and Museo del Paso Blanco) display the costumes and embroideries year-round.