Procesión de penitentes y cofrades (PiP)

The heart of Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the procession, organized by religious brotherhoods (cofradías). Members dress in distinctive robes and pointed hoods (capirotes), which symbolize penance and anonymity, allowing participants-called nazarenos-to express repentance without revealing their identities. The color and style of these garments vary by brotherhood and region.
Central to each procession are the pasos: massive, ornately decorated floats bearing lifelike statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, often depicting scenes from the Passion. These floats, some centuries old and works of art in their own right, are carried through the streets by teams of costaleros, who bear the heavy weight as an act of devotion. The processions are accompanied by music, incense, and sometimes barefoot penitents or those carrying chains, further emphasizing themes of sacrifice and humility.