They are the haunting , hooded figures , who walk the streets of Spain's towns and villages during the last week of Lent . And these penitents , in their white robes and heavy hoods , were no different as they took part in the annual commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ , a mesmerising week-long celebration throughout the country . In Zamora , in the region of Castile and Leon , penitents from 'Cristo de la Buena Muerte ' or 'Good Dead Christ ' brotherhood carry a Jesus Christ figure as they take part in a haunting night time procession . Scroll down for video . The 'Cristo de la Buena Muerte ' brotherhood carries a depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during a procession in Zamora , Spain . During the emotional festival , penitents from several religious brotherhoods take part in processions , carrying life-size effigies of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary through cobblestone city streets , accompanied by dramatic drum beats and mournful music . Also known as Semana Santa , during the week-long celebrations , participants wear gowns and conical hoods - a tradition that was meant to maintain their anonymity - during their hauntingly beautiful penance processions . Although the most-visited city during the Catholic celebration is Seville , in Andalucia , Zamora , in the north-west of the country , is also well known for its 16 religious brotherhoods and fraternities . In 1986 , Holy Week in Zamora was declared a tourist interest of Spain and visitors continue to descend on the city in the lead-up to Easter , particularly to line the streets to view the scheduled processions . The fraternities weave their way through the city streets from early morning until late into the night . The 'Good Dead Christ ' brotherhood take part in one of hundreds of Easter Holy Week processions on Tuesday , March 31 . Brothers from the 'Cristo de la Buena Muerte ' fraternity turn off their torches as they walk barefoot through the streets of Zamora . Visitors and locals watch from balconies as the procession weaves its way through the cobblestone streets . Clad in heavy robes , the penitents carry large effigies of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary as mournful music sounds behind them . Each confradia ( or religious brotherhood ) is represented by different coloured robes and masks , designed to protect anonymity . Each confradia ( or brotherhood ) is represented by different coloured robes and masks . In Seville , there are more than 50 church brotherhoods , some of which date as far back as the 13th century , while in Zamora , some documented references to celebration can be traced back to 1279 . The first cofradia founded is believed to be La Santa Vera Cruz or True Cross , which dates back to the 14th century , though most brotherhoods as we know them today were created in the 20th century . Another brotherhood , the 'Jesus en su Tercera Caida ' group , lead their children through the streets of Zamora on March 30 . In Zamora , the traditions date back as far as 1279 , with the founding of the first cofradia : La Santa Vera Cruz or True Cross . In Jerez de la Frontera , Spain , in the southwest of the country , the celebration is in full swing . A penitent holds a girl by the hand while taking part in a Holy Week procession in Jerez de la Frontera , Spain . The most-visited city during the Catholic celebration is Seville , in Andalusia , though other smaller cities are also frequented . Hooded penitents from the La Paz brotherhood take park in a procession in Seville , Spain on Monday , March 30 . While at first glance , the marches may appear sinister , they are a stunning celebration of emotion as brothers make their way to cathedrals . Penitents in Jerez de la Frontera , Spain , hold candles as they take part in one of many Holy Week processions . In maintenance of tradition , many brothers will carry processional candles and may even walk barefoot while wearing their heavy robes . Though at first glance , the processions may seem sinister , Holy Week is truly a stunning celebration of pageantry and raw emotion . The brothers make their way from parish churches to the cathedral and back again , each bearing their own Virgin Mary and Jesus statues , as well as colourful misterios ( depictions of bible scenes ) and pasos ( floats ) . Holy Week , as its known , begins the Sunday before Easter ( known as Palm or Passion Sunday ) and continues through to Easter Sunday .
The last week of Lent marks the annual commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ in many Spanish cities . Easter Holy Week begins on the Sunday before Easter ( Palm Sunday ) and continues through to Easter Sunday . For the festival , penitents from several Catholic brotherhoods take part in haunting processions in the city streets .