In Garachico, Holy Week is lived with depth, devotion and reverence.
The streets of our historic quarter become the setting for heartfelt religious expressions and deeply rooted traditions that have been repeated year after year for centuries and form part of our identity, history and heritage.
Holy Week is the most important week of the year for Catholics, together with Christmas.
Whether you are a believer or not, if you have the opportunity to experience Holy Week in Garachico, you will carry away an unforgettable memory. We invite you to share it with us.
Experience Holy Week in Garachico
If you stay at La Quinta Roja during Holy Week, you will feel like a local resident. Our hotel is located in the historic centre of Garachico, in a Canary Islands Baroque manor house that once belonged to the first Marquis of La Quinta Roja, a descendant of the town’s founder, the Genoese banker Cristóbal Ponte.
Just outside the main entrance lies the Glorieta de San Francisco, surrounded by the Town Hall, the former Convent of San Francisco and the Casa de Piedra — the heart of Garachico. Only a few steps away are the lively Plaza de la Libertad and the Parish Church of Santa Ana, from which almost all processions depart.
The Church of Santa Ana, the Jewel of Garachico
The Parish Church of Santa Ana has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest, together with its associated movable heritage, which gives an idea of the artistic and historical richness it holds.
Within its walls stand the Most Holy Christ of Mercy — a valuable 16th-century sculpture known as the “Maize Christ,” made by the Tarascan people in Michoacán, Mexico, from maize-pith paste — alongside the Baroque sculpture of Christ Crucified by the Sevillian artist Martín de Andújar, founder of the Escuela de Garachico, as well as the main altarpiece, a jewel of Canarian Baroque art.
During this week, the sacred images are taken out in procession and placed on their processional platforms (pasos), and the altarpiece is covered from ceiling to floor with a black veil. It is therefore not the best moment to admire the church’s artistic beauty, but it is the most moving time to experience what takes place within it.
Garachico, a Setting for Faith and Sacred Art
During these days, the cobbled streets of our town become the stage upon which the history of Garachico’s sacred art is carried in procession.
Sacred devotional sculptures of great artistic value — created centuries ago by the Andalusian sculptor Martín de Andújar and his disciples of the Garachico School, and more recently by the young local sculptor Raúl Pérez — are brought out into the streets in an atmosphere of reverence and devotion.
Carved by skilled hands to convey emotion and drama.
Palm Sunday
The “Donkey Procession”
During this week, Catholics commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is the most important moment of the liturgical year, lived with deep devotion — almost like a catechism unfolding in the streets.
Holy Week celebrations begin with Palm Sunday Mass and the blessing of palm branches outside the Church of Santo Domingo. From there departs the procession commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, popularly known as “the donkey procession.”
It is a joyful and festive procession in which children dressed in tunics, in the style of Jesus, and carrying their blessed palms accompany the processional platform to the Church of Santa Ana.
In the afternoon, another procession takes place: that of the Lord of the Garden and the Virgin of Consolation, departing from the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception — the only active monastery remaining in Garachico, still home to cloistered nuns — and proceeding to the Parish Church of Santa Ana.
At the height of Garachico’s splendour, before the eruption of the Trevejo volcano in 1706, the town had as many as five monasteries, reflecting its historical importance.
The Ponte Privilege
There are many traditions during Holy Week in Garachico, but one has been repeated since 1617 and is linked to one of the town’s historic families: the Ponte family.
For over four centuries, every Palm Sunday at dusk, the Christ of Mercy is transferred from the Church of Santa Ana to the Oratory of La Soledad, located on Esteban de Ponte Street, in the family’s residence.
The transfer is carried out quickly and in silence, carried on the shoulders of several priests, wrapped in black velvet cloth and illuminated only by lanterns.
The image remains in the Ponte oratory until Good Friday, when it emerges as the Recumbent Christ in a silver urn to take part in the Magna Procession.
The Easter Triduum
Although processions and religious acts take place throughout Holy Week, three days hold particular significance and form part of the Easter Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, culminating in the Easter Vigil.
Holy Thursday
Celebrations begin with the Eucharist of the Lord’s Supper and the Washing of the Feet in the Church of Santa Ana.
From there departs the procession of the Last Supper, in which all the parish religious brotherhoods of Garachico participate, including the oldest brotherhood, that of the Most Holy Christ, which this year celebrates its 400th anniversary.
Good Friday
This is one of the most important days, drawing many faithful from across the region.
In the morning, the Stations of the Cross take place from Santa Ana, passing through Esteban de Ponte and San Roque streets to the Calvary at Santo Domingo.
The sacred image of Jesus Nazareno leaves the Church of Santa Ana alone, meeting along the route the Virgin of Sorrows, Saint John, Saint Mary Magdalene and Saint Veronica, creating deeply moving scenes. A group of barefoot penitents carrying a cross accompany the procession, stopping at each of the fourteen Stations of the Cross.
Upon reaching Calvary, the image of Christ Crucified — created by the Baroque sculptor Martín de Andújar, one of Garachico’s most valuable artistic treasures — emerges from the Church of Santo Domingo. Accompanied by the Brotherhood of the Crucified Christ and a marching band performing traditional processional hymns, it returns to Santa Ana, where during the rest of the year it presides over the tabernacle of the main altar.
The Transfer of the Recumbent Christ and the Magna Procession
In the afternoon, the Recumbent Christ is transferred from the Ponte oratory back to Santa Ana. The image rests in a silver urn and is accompanied by the Virgin of La Soledad, owned by the Ponte family.
The Church of Santa Ana is draped in mourning: altar cloths are removed and candles laid down as a sign of grief.
Upon arrival at the church, the Magna Procession begins — one of the largest in Tenerife — involving 25 processional platforms (pasos), interspersed with marching bands. The rhythm of drums and cornets marks the pace, the only sounds breaking the silence that envelops the cobbled streets as these revered sacred sculptures pass by.
Emotion, respect and devotion fill the air.
The Magna Procession solemnly circles the town centre, passing by the Glorieta de San Francisco on its outward and return journey. It can be observed from the hotel’s entrance, though we respectfully encourage joining the procession to share in the community’s sentiment.
This procession is unique not only for its religious significance, but also for the opportunity it offers to contemplate Garachico’s religious sculptural heritage from the 17th century to the present day.
The Holy Burial
After the Magna Procession concludes, the Holy Burial ceremony takes place inside the Parish Church of Santa Ana.
The priests remove the Recumbent Christ from the silver urn and place it in a sepulchre set upon the altar. In a moment of great solemnity, with the church in darkness and the band playing a funeral march, the priest closes the sepulchre lid with a resounding strike that deeply moves the faithful.
Holy Saturday
On Saturday night, a very special procession takes place in silence.
Our Lady of La Soledad — the only Virgin carried beneath a canopy in the Sevillian style — goes out in search of her Son. The atmosphere is one of deep recollection; only the footsteps of the faithful on the cobbled streets can be heard.
In the past, all the town’s lights were turned off during this procession, and the faithful carried candles to light their way.
Easter Vigil
When the Virgin returns to the Church, the Easter Vigil begins in Santa Ana.
At midnight, the image of the Risen Lord enters the church. The sadness that has filled the town throughout the week turns into joy. The church bells ring out to proclaim that the Lord has risen.
All the lights are switched on, a bonfire is lit outside the church, and the black veil covering the main altar throughout the week falls away, revealing it adorned with flowers to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.
Easter Sunday
On Sunday, the procession is different. The image of the Risen Lord does not process as on the previous night. Instead, a monstrance carrying the Blessed Sacrament is borne in procession. All the religious brotherhoods accompany it from the Parish Church of Santa Ana to the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception.
Divine Mercy Sunday
One week later, Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated. The image of the Risen Christ departs from the Parish Church of Santa Ana and meets the Virgin of Glory, who comes from the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, bringing this celebration to a close.
An Authentic Holy Week
Experiencing Holy Week in Garachico is a privilege, as it retains a human scale and centuries-old traditions that remain alive.
The historic quarter becomes a perfect setting in which to admire sacred art and to experience these deeply meaningful days in a traditional and reverent manner.
The People Who Make It Possible
Behind Holy Week in Garachico are many people who generously dedicate their time to ensure everything is prepared for these celebrations.
The liturgical team plays an essential role in guaranteeing that Holy Week is lived with solemnity, respect and silence. They ensure the sacred images are in proper condition for the processions and decorate the church with greenery and flowers, among many other responsibilities.
They are not alone. Many local families care for the sacred sculptures throughout the year and adorn the processional platforms with flowers. The religious brotherhoods accompany the floats, and musicians from various marching bands create the atmosphere of recollection through their hymns.
Holy Week Processional Calendar in Garachico 2026
Here are the main processions and religious events:
Palm Sunday
Morning: Procession of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (the “Donkey Procession”) from the Church of Santo Domingo.
Afternoon/evening: Procession of the Lord of the Garden and the Virgin of Consolation from the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception.
Transfer of the Christ of Mercy from Santa Ana to the Oratory of La Soledad.
Holy Thursday:
Procession of the Last Supper.
Good Friday:
Morning: Stations of the Cross from Santa Ana to Santo Domingo.
Procession of Christ Crucified from Santo Domingo to Santa Ana.
Evening: Transfer of the Recumbent Christ from the Oratory to Santa Ana.
Magna Procession (25 processional platforms).
Holy Saturday:
Night: Procession of the Virgin of La Soledad.
Easter Vigil.
Easter Sunday:
Procession of the Blessed Sacrament.