Penitents dressed in traditional robes take part in processions in cities all around Spain during Holy Week – the holiday spanning the last seven days leading up to Easter.
Some of the most famous celebrations take place in the southern city of Seville, where this penitent belonging to the "San Esteban" religious brotherhood poses for a portrait.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
A group of penitents belonging to "Las Aguas" (The Waters) brotherhood stand together beneath a worn stone arch.
During Holy Week, members of religious brotherhoods like this one parade through the city streets with ornate floats bearing statues of Mary and Jesus. The spectacle draws hordes of tourists to come and watch.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
All sorts of people, young and old, take part in the celebrations. This little boy dressed up with a cardboard cross and hood is getting ready to join a procession at school just before Holy Week.
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. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Children wearing penitent's outfits wait before joining a procession at their school.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Penitents belonging to "La Paz" (The Peace) brotherhood gather before they make their way through the streets. The hooded outfits they wear look similar to those used by the Ku Klux Klan, but have absolutely no connection to that group, and have been a tradition in Spain for hundreds of years.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Three women stand next to a penitent in traditional robes.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
A penitent waits alone before the procession of "La Paz" brotherhood.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Another penitent walks by an alleyway in the city.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Costaleros - men who carry floats bearing statues of Christ or the Virgin Mary - take part in a procession.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Members of the "Santa Genoveva" brotherhood wait before beginning their penance.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
A young penitent named Rocio poses for a portrait.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
A boy waits before the start of a procession.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Penitents from the "San Esteban" brotherhood embrace.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Members of the brotherhood greet a passer-by.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
A penitent whirls his cloak as he walks past a bar.
. SEVILLE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Children dressed up in the colours of the "San Esteban" brotherhood walk past other youngsters at a convenience store.