The Ascent of the Christ of the Gypsies

Christ of the Gypsies is very popular with the devotees in Madrid. The above statue is the work of the Sevillian sculptor, Ángel Rengel. The Fraternity of Gypsies (Cofradía de Los Gitanos) was founded in 1753.


On Holy Wednesday, the Madrid fraternity of Gypsies, officially known as La Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Salud y María Santísima de las Angustias, holds the procession of Our Father Jesus of Health (Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Salud) through the centre of Madrid, Spain.

In Grenada, the ascent of the Christ of the Gypsies (Cristo de los Gitanos), a procession to the Sacromonte surrounded by bonfires and saetas (devotional songs sung in Holy Week in Andalusia) is spectacular, exceptional and touching. On the Sacromonte hills, when the Christ passes, immense bonfires are lighted between the caves, homes and dwellings of the Gypsies. In these places can be found the zambras (parties with flamenco singing and dance). It is a unique mixture of religious fervour and folklore in the world, having as a witness the Alhambra.

Images via Demotix.com.