Domingo Ramos Córdoba

Palm Sunday in Córdoba

Today officially marks the beginning of Holy Week in Córdoba, and although we’ve already had a prelude with the Religious Services, Brotherhood Concerts, and the procession of the University Brotherhood—which served to “whet our appetite”—today truly begins our Holy Week. The first thing we do upon waking is open the windows and look at the sky, hoping it doesn’t get cloudy so that all the brotherhoods can go out into the streets.

We head out and take in the atmosphere: all of Córdoba comes out in search of the Borriquita, especially the excited children. Some already carry their wax balls to collect more, while others have already received their first palm leaves, which the robed participants in the procession hand out.

Most people spend Palm Sunday having lunch out, so it’s hard to find a table at any bar or restaurant—everything is packed! So it’s best to eat early, bring sandwiches, or head home for a quick bite if you want to catch the departure of the Brotherhood of Love, which begins the Sunday afternoon processions. Their Guiding Cross steps out at 3:00 p.m., followed by their sacred images: Christ of Love, Jesus of Silence, and Holy Mary of the Incarnation.

Brotherhoods of Palm Sunday

Brotherhood of Love

At 3:00 p.m., the Brotherhood of Love begins its procession, featuring the images of Christ of Love, Jesus of Silence, and Holy Mary of the Incarnation.

Brotherhood of Sorrows of Santiago

Next, around 4:45 p.m., comes the Brotherhood of Sorrows of Santiago, which includes one of the oldest sculptures in our Holy Week—the Christ of Sorrows, dating back to the 13th century—accompanied by one of the most modern: Holy Mary of the Conception, created in 1987.

Brotherhood of the Rescued

Around 5:30 p.m., the penitents of one of the city’s largest brotherhoods begin their procession: the Brotherhood of the Rescued. One notable feature of their penitential procession—which always draws attention—is that the Virgin of Bitterness leads the way ahead of Our Father Jesus the Rescued Nazarene. The reason, as previously mentioned, is the sheer number of penitents following Christ.

Brotherhood of the Garden

We continue our Palm Sunday journey with the Brotherhood of the Garden, which departs around six in the evening from the parish of San Francisco and San Eulogio. In their penitential procession, we see three floats: Our Father Jesus in the Garden, depicting the Angel’s appearance in the Garden of Gethsemane; the Lord Bound to the Column; and Holy Mary of the Candelaria.

Brotherhood of Hope

We end the day with a bit of sadness that the first day of this long-awaited week has already passed, watching the Brotherhood of Hope with its popularly known Gypsy Man and Woman—that is, Our Father Jesus of Sorrows and Holy Mary of Hope. There are several iconic spots to see this procession, such as Cuesta del Bailío or in front of the Church of Santa Marina.