Semana Santa, the Holy Week of Easter, is the most important Catholic religious festival in Latin America. It begins on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) through Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Good Friday), culminating in Pascua or Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday). Semana Santa celebrates the last days of Christ’s life, the Crucifixion and Resurrection, as well as the end of Lent. So my Nona Hora project trip was meant to be a part of this Festival :)

I was lucky to enjoy this year’s Celebrations of Semana Santa in two of the largest cities of Latin America- Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru. I started my Semana Santa on Palm Sunday in Santiago de Chile, visiting Metropolitan Cathedral on Plaza de Armas, and finished it on Good Friday on Plaza de Armas in Lima. Actually, I was departing from Lima on Easter Sunday night. Each day of the Holy Week has its own celebrations, rituals, processions through the streets. There are masses and religious observations, prayer meetings, and thousands of devout Catholics doing homage. During the week the city plazas become the stages and street food markets. That’s the best time for street photography!

You may also wish to check out my other photo posts from Semana Santa in Santiago de Chile and Lima, Peru:
Santiagueños – Santiago People
The Faces Of Santiago De Chile
Santiago de Chile: Street Photographer’s Paradise
Lima, Peru – The City Of Kings.

The following photo set contains color and black-and-white images. Click on image to view black-and-white version.

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa - The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America

Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America