Pontificia Hermandad y Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Espina y Maria Santísima de la Amargura
(Pontifical Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of the Thorn and Holy Mary of Sorrows)
A well-established and beloved brotherhood in Badajoz, as it worships the most revered Christ in the city. In 1774, Pope Clement XIV awarded a papal bull for the figure of Christ of the Thorn, for which a full indulgence could be granted by visiting their church on 4 May.
It was re-founded in 1939, when the figure of Our Lady of Sorrows (literally “of Bitterness”) was added to the brotherhood. Curiously, it is the only brotherhood in Spain with a governing body made up entirely of women.
Highlights include the embroidery designs, most of them made by Mr Antonio Juez.
Headquarters: Convent of Las Descalzas.
Founded: In 1773 around the relic of the Holy Thorn that is worshipped in the convent. Pope Clement XIV granted a papal bull in 1774.
Pasos (floats)
Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Espina (Our Father Jesus of the Thorn).
Anonymous 17th century carving, restored in 2001 by Mr Francisco Berlanga de Ávila. Highlights include the robes of the Trinitarian nuns from the 50s and the one gifted by Queen Isabella II in 1866. It is placed on a Baroque-style carved and gilded wooden platform.
Costaleros (those who carry the paso): 30. Asociación de Costaleros y Capataces “San José” (Association of Float Carriers and Foremen “San José”)
María Santísima de la Amargura (Holy Mary of Sorrows – literally “of Bitterness”).
Anonymous 17th-18th century carving. Restored by the Hermanos Caballeros workshop in Seville and polychrome by Julián de Campos. The vents and bases of the float are by Manuel Seco. The canopy is embroidered on satin with gold lamé. Capataz (the foreman): Mr Juan Luis Suero Villa.
Costaleros (those who carry the paso): 35.
Number of brothers: 750
Nazarenos (the penitents): 350
Itinerary highlights
The start and finish are charged with emotion. Two good moments to see the procession are when it passes through Plaza de la Soledad square, where the choir sings before the pasos, and San Juan (Plaza de España square), part of the official itinerary. The part where it passes through the narrow streets of the old town, such as Arias Montano, Bravo Murillo, Arco-Agüero and San Blas, are particularly beautiful – which is especially true for turns that take place between these.
• Start: 21,00. Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Convento de las Descalzas)
• Plaza López de Ayala
• C/ Francisco Pizarro
• Plaza de la Soledad
• C/ Arias Montano
• C/ Bravo Murillo
• C/ Arco-Agüero
• C/ López Prudencio
• Plaza de España
• C/ Obispo San Juan de Ribera
• C/ Hernán Cortés
• Plaza López de Ayala
Hermandad Sacramental del Santísimo Cristo de la Angustia y María Santísima de la Misericordia
(Sacramental Brotherhood of Holy Christ of Anguish and Holy Mary of Mercy)
Founded on 1 December 1971, the first Elder being Mr Félix-Jesús Méndez Velarde, the head of the railway station. It was he who imbued the brotherhood with its solemn character. From its origins it has been known as the “railway brotherhood”. In 1999 it received the title of Hermandad Sacramental (Sacramental Brotherhood), since then having the worship of the Blessed Sacrament among its purposes. They held their first procession in 1974.
From 1975, until they changed the procession day from Good Friday to Holy Tuesday, they would hold an “encuentro” (meeting) in Plaza de España square to be “bailados” (danced) with the figure of Our Lady of Solitude.
Honorary brothers include the Badajoz Pilot School, Mr Rafael Molia Candela, Mr Joaquín Gil Juan and Mr Ramón Bas Mirón.
Headquarters: Parish of San Fernando and Santa Isabel.
Founded: 1 December 1971
Pasos (floats)
Misterio del Calvario (The Mystery of Calvary)
Currently made up of two figures, waiting to be finished over the coming years. It is made up of the figure of the Holy Christ of Anguish, crucified, life-size and restored in 2012 by Mr Luis Peña and, along with Him, the figure of Holy Mary of Mercy, the Mater Dolorosa carved by Sevillian sculptor Mr David Valenciano Larios in 2016.
The set rests upon a processional platform crafted in the Extremaduran workshops Im Inox and Maderas Pulido, made of carved wood with baroque-style plant motifs and coats of arms with angels and cherubs. Highlights include ornamental lilies, roses and carnations donated by the residents of San Fernando quarter in Badajoz.
Costaleros (those who carry the paso): 80 (two crews and two stand-in crews).
Number of brothers: 560.
Nazarenos (the penitents): 70.
Musical accompaniment
Resucitado, a brass and percussion band from Badajoz.
Itinerary highlights
The start and finish, where the figure of Christ must be dismantled beforehand since it is impossible to pass through the door bearing Him. Puerta de Palmas and the river bank are highly recommended places to view the procession, in addition to seeing the paso carried by the Soledad chapel, along the narrow streets on its itinerary and through Plaza de España square.
• Start: 19,30. Parroquia de San Fernando y Santa Isabel
• C/ Canarias
• Av. Carolina Coronado
• Rotonda de Cuatro Caminos
• Puente de Palmas
• Puerta de Palmas
• Plaza Reyes Católicos
• C/ Santa Lucía
• C/ Santa Ana
• C/ Duque de San Germán
• Plaza de la Soledad
• C/ Arias Montano
• C/ San Juan
• Plaza de España
• C/ Obispo San Juan de Ribera
• C/ Hernán Cortés
• C/ De Gabriel
• Plaza Reyes Católicos
• Puerta de Palmas
• Puente de Palmas
• Rotonda de Cuatro Caminos
• Av. Carolina Coronado
• C/ Canarias
