Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a yearly celebration in Mexico, usually after Spring break, it’s one of the most iconic holidays in this country and an active season for vacational destinations like Playa del Carmen and Cancún.
Here are five interesting facts about Semana Santa.
-The date of Semana Santa can change every year because it’s set to start the Sunday after the first full moon of spring in the northern hemisphere. This means that it can be between March 22 and April 25.
-Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, México City and Zihuatanejo are the most popular destinations to spend the holiday. Trip Advisor crowned Playa del Carmen as the top place to visit because of the ideal weather and beautiful attractions.
-Semana Santa coincides with Hueytozoztli, an ancient indigenous celebration in which the town’s people offered corn to the gods Centéotl and Chicomecóatl in order to have good harvest.
-As the name may suggest, this is a big holiday for religious people. Some of the traditions are “Palm Sunday” when believers gather at the entrance of churches to welcome Jesus Christ with palm leaves, “The way of the Cross” is a performance about Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and “The Procession of Silence” a night parade made by priests where everyone must be completely silent.
-Semana Santa was banned in Mexico in the 18th century, it was considered a heretic tradition but it was reestablished shortly after. Now is more of a cultural celebration for all Mexicans, even for non-Catholics.
