Exploring the best-kept secrets of Holy Week in Euskadi means diving into a tradition that blends history, emotion, and popular devotion. Through incense, robes, silence, and dramatic reenactments, many Basque towns relive the Passion of Christ with a powerful intensity that stirs the soul and connects generations.
At Grupo La Vasca, we love to discover and share the roots that give flavor and meaning to our culture—and these dates are the perfect time to do so. Join us on a journey through some of the most authentic and moving Holy Week celebrations in the Basque Country.
Balmaseda: a Living Way of the Cross That Moves You
In this historic town in Bizkaia, everything transforms during Holy Week. The Living Way of the Cross of Balmaseda is one of the most spectacular in Spain. Over 650 neighbors take part in a performance they rehearse for months, attracting more than 50,000 spectators every year.
It begins on Holy Thursday at 9:30 PM with the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Arrest of Jesus. On Good Friday, the sound of drums echoes through the town from early morning, announcing the trial before Pilate, Judas’ hanging, and the journey to Calvary.
That same day, three processions express the soul of Balmaseda: the Procession of the Stations, the solemn Burial Procession, and the deeply moving Procession of Silence, which carries on through the night to the cemetery.
Segura (Gipuzkoa): A Key, a Candle, and the Passion
In this medieval village in Gipuzkoa, Holy Week is marked by solemnity and ritual beauty. One unique tradition is the Ceremony of the Chalice’s Arrest, in which the chalice is symbolically locked away after the Holy Thursday mass, and the key is given to the mayor. Volunteers take turns guarding it throughout the night.
Good Friday culminates with the Descent from the Cross and a procession filled with local tradition, accompanied by txistularis (Basque flautists), penitents, Roman soldiers, and black-clad brotherhoods.
Laguardia (Álava): The Unnailing and Passion Verses
In the heart of Rioja Alavesa, surrounded by vineyards and medieval walls, Laguardia holds one of the most distinctive traditions: the Unnailing of Christ. On Good Friday, members of the Brotherhood of the School of Christ carefully lower the articulated body of Jesus from the cross and place it in a tomb.
That same evening, the Verses of Good Friday are sung through the town’s streets, preserving a centuries-old oral liturgy that continues to move all who hear it.
Samaniego & Salinas de Añana: Judas’ Purification
In these towns in Álava, the figure of Judas Iscariot takes center stage in lively popular rituals filled with theatre, fire, and tradition. Samaniego, the Burning of Judas is celebrated with music, dancing, verses, and the symbolic burning of the traitor in a festive explosion.
In Salinas de Añana, the so-called Judas’ Procession reenacts his capture, trial, and punishment in a theatrical street performance filled with symbolism.
Living Tradition, Savoring the Essence
Holy Week in the Basque Country is much more than a religious celebration—it’s identity, living culture, and shared emotion. At Grupo La Vasca, we’re proud of our roots, and that’s why we celebrate this time of year with the same respect and passion we pour into every dish.
Whether before or after experiencing one of these traditions, La Vasca, El Vasco, and Sukalde are ready to welcome you with flavors that also tell stories. Because every corner of our land holds an essence worth celebrating at the table.