Easter in Mallorca

Easter is an important tradition and a wonderful cultural experience throughout Mallorca! Semana Santa offers lots to do & see. Families in Mallorca come together to make the traditional Easter pastries: rubiols, empanadas and crespells. Processions with hoods and robes march through Palma every evening. In addition to the religious festivities, La Fira del Ram is an annual fun fair that takes place in Palma during Easter. It’s a great opportunity to let loose and have some fun with family and friends.

The island comes alive with festivities during Holy Week. Traditional rituals, and festive atmosphere make it an exciting time to visit. It’s a good opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture and traditions. 

 

Easter begins on Palm Sunday in Mallorca

The Holy Week is filled with traditional rituals and religious processions and events that take place during the week leading up to Easter Sunday, to mark the Passion of Christ. 

Palm Sunday is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar after Christmas and Easter. For many Christian churches Palm Sunday, often referred to as “Passion Sunday,” marks the beginning of the Holy Week.


The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. In Palma, Palm Sunday is traditionally celebrated with the blessing of palm branches and a procession in many Christian churches. The Passion Mass in the Cathedral of Palma is followed by procession of priests and believers through the streets and was preceded by the Bishop of Palma blessing with holy water the palm branches and olive trees brought by numerous spectators. On this day Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. Therefore it is customary to bring the blessed palm branches home to adorn the front doors as an element of protection for the family.

 

Easter processions and the hooded men

Semana Santa is the Spanish name for Easter and it reaches all the way back to the 16th century when the church decided to present the story of Christ’s suffering in a way that people could understand. It was decided that the best way to do this would be a series of processions through the streets depicting scenes from the story of Jesus’ birth and death. 

It is an experience to follow the glorious Easter processions here in Mallorca whose content is varied depending on the day. The processions in Palma involve members of religious brotherhoods or cofradías, who wear hoods and robes as a symbol of penitence and anonymity. The processions are usually solemn and reflective, as they mark the Passion of Christ. One of the more vivid Easter processions is the Procesión del Silencio, (Silent Procession), held in complete silence, with the quietness only broken by a deep and throbbing drumbeat, usually performed on Tuesday before Easter.

Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday) is another significant day in the Holy Week calendar, thousands line the streets to watch the annual Processión de la Sang. This is the largest of the Easter processions, with hundreds of hooded penitents and various brotherhoods or ‘cofradias’, each with their own distinctive penitential robes and conical hoods. All participating and carrying the crucified Christ through the streets to remind the believers of the meaning of Christianity. These brotherhoods make their way slowly and painfully around the city streets carrying the heavy religious statues on  platforms while solemn music accompanies them on their slow progress. The procession can take hours to complete, often continuing well into the night.

Angel Sunday: The Sunday after Easter is when, traditionally, bread was distributed among the poor. Today food is still involved, but families and friends gather together to share a meal outdoors. These events are an important part of the cultural and religious heritage of Palma de Mallorca and are a significant experience for locals and visitors alike. The island comes alive with festivities during Easter week. It’s a good opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture and traditions. 

 

The food is the center of Easter in Mallorca

Regions in Spain celebrate Easter by preparing a variety of dishes that are linked to the customs of the Christian calendar.  Easter in Mallorca means being able to enjoy some traditional foods all over the island! It is typical for Mallorquin families to get together over Easter and cook together. There are a number of sweet and savory dishes that play an important role, and throughout the Easter holiday there will be plenty of Panades, Cocarrois, Crespells and Robiols. Despite being made from the same basic pastry, they differ greatly in taste. 

Panades: are small round pasties pies which are traditionally filled with meat, cuttlefish, fish, chicken and peas. The Easter Panades are stuffed with lamb meat, onion and peas.

Cocarrois: are shaped like a Cornish pasty, but filled with Swiss chard, sweet onions, garlic and raisins.

Crespells: are sweet biscuits in different shapes made especially for Easter. They are best prepared with Mallorquin ingredients, such as olive oil, pork lard and Sóller oranges.

Robiols: are half-moon shaped sweet pastries. They are filled with either an apricot jam, chocolate, cream or a sugary quince filling known as ‘cabell d’àngel’ (literally translates to ‘angel hair’).

Mallorca doesn’t differ from the rest of the world when it comes to consuming massive amounts of chocolate during Easter because another big tradition are the figurines and sculptures made of chocolate called the ‘mones de pasqua’. They can come in the shape of a rabbit, an egg, a cartoon character, etc. Many bakeries compete to display the most spectacular chocolate sculptures in their windows. They could be a building, a popular character or a representation of anything!

One of the other seasonal Easter dishes is a spin on the typically Mallorquin ‘frit’ or frito Mallorquin, a dish made with offal of pork, potatoes, peppers and onions. At Easter it is made with lamb, frito de cordero. It is combined with a number of wonderful herbs, the main one being dill, which reputedly is a herb native from Mallorca. Traditional feasts of roasted lamb are popular events on Easter Sunday and  ‘food fairs’ are commonly held. Here residents get together to dance, socialize and enjoy the food they have prepared in their homes. For many locals, Easter wouldn’t be the same without these flavors. So If you are in Mallorca this Easter make sure to treat yourself to a culinary tour experiencing Mallorca through its Easter cuisine.



Massar Midgley Mahdi

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name *

Fill in your details and we will help you find your dream home

These are the latest properties for sale in Mallorca

Luxury object

Lovely house with expansive patio area in Puerto Pollensa

Ref. MF2596

The delightful villa is situated on a quiet street, just 200m from the sea. Shops, cafés, and restaurants are conveniently within a 10-minute walk. The...

-
129 m2
300 m2
Port de Pollensa
3
3
More about the property
Luxury object

Idyllic Esporles townhouses with private gardens

Ref. MFP174A

Located in Esporles, a picturesque village in the heart of the Tramuntana Mountains, these 13 two-storey townhouses present a perfect blend of traditional charm and...

750.000
150 m2
33 m2
Esporles
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Newly renovated apartment with large terrace in Santa Catalina

Ref. MF2610

This newly renovated apartment is located on the first floor of a well-mantained building with lift in Santa Catalina. The property underwent a complete high...

525.000
100 m2
35 m2
Santa Catalina - Tennis
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Entire building in Santa Catalina

Ref. MF2500

This one of a kind building with infinite possibilities is positioned on a quiet street in Santa Catalina, around the corner from one of the area’s most...

1.100.000
350 m2
100 m2
Santa Catalina - Tennis
6
3
More about the property
Luxury object

Charming flat in the old town of Palma

Ref. MF2607

In the best location in the middle of one of the best squares of the old town of Palma we find this gem. The apartment is located on the fourth floor of a...

275.000
48 m2
Casco Antiguo - Old Town
2
1
More about the property
Luxury object

Duplex with large private terrace

Ref. MF2606

This nice duplex in Palma is located on a quiet street in a very nice neighbourhood. Santa Catalina is only a 10 minute walk from here. The apartment has a...

475.000
95 m2
20 m2
El Camp d'en Serralta
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Idyllic townhouse in Esporles with private garden

Ref. MFP174B

Located in Esporles, a picturesque village in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains, this two-storey townhouse is a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern...

785.000
142 m2
37 m2
Esporles
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Unique penthouse with terrace and with the best location in Old Town

Ref. MF2458

Beautiful and bright penthouse located on a quiet street in the middle of Calatrava, right next to the cathedral. The apartment is located on the third and top...

1.395.000
110 m2
34 m2
Casco Antiguo - Old Town
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Townhouse with a lovely roof terrace in Son Espanyolet

Ref. MF2560

This is a very nice and relatively newly built townhouse from 2020 located right next to the Palma Sport & Tennis Club in Son Espanyolet. The house is...

595.000
100 m2
25 m2
Son Espanyolet
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Idyllic Esporles townhouse with private garden

Ref. MFP174C

Located in Esporles, a picturesque village in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains, this two-storey townhouse is a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern...

825.000
150 m2
33 m2
Esporles
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Spectacular apartment with amazing views

Ref. MD123

This elegantly modernized apartment is located on a quiet street of Son Espanyolet with a nice view to Palma and all the way to the Cathedral. The property has a...

879.000
85 m2
30 m2
Son Espanyolet
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Opportunity to renovate a unique penthouse in the Old Town

Ref. MF2598

This penthouse, located in the centre of the Plaza Cort in the old town, is a renovation object of a rare kind. With a careful renovation, this could become a dream...

-
70 m2
30 m2
Casco Antiguo - Old Town
2
1
More about the property
Luxury object

Stunning apartment with terrace in Santa Catalina

Ref. MF2604

This elegant apartment is located in the heart of Santa Catalina, just a block away from the vibrant market. The property is on the second floor of a...

775.000
80 m2
10 m2
Santa Catalina - Tennis
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Beautiful apartment in modern classic building

Ref. MFP173C

This newly renovated building is located on a pedestrian street in the heart of Palma, between the bustling Avenidas and Pere Garau. It is an ideal area to live,...

633.000
106 m2
32 m2
Palma City
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Ground floor apartment in Santa Catalina

Ref. MF2601

This nice ground floor apartment is located on a quiet street in the centre of the vibrant Santa Catalina area. The apartment is part of a building which was...

395.000
80 m2
7 m2
Santa Catalina - Tennis
2
1
More about the property
Luxury object

Luxurious townhouse with pool in Son Espanyolet

Ref. MF2603

Located in the beautiful neighborhood of Son Espanyolet, this breathtaking townhouse merges modern design with comfort. It is just a few meters away from the Palma...

2.450.000
170 m2
70 m2
Son Espanyolet
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Apartments in modern classic building in Palma

Ref. MFP173

This newly renovated building is located on a pedestrian street in the heart of Palma, between the bustling Avenidas and Pere Garau. It is an ideal area to live,...

477.000
75 m2
13 m2
Palma City
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Unique penthouse with Palma's best views in Son Espanyolet

Ref. MF2602

This is a newly renovated penthouse apartment on the ninth floor of a well-maintained building on the outskirts of Son Espanyolet. Here you live high above the...

695.000
75 m2
75 m2
Son Espanyolet
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Apartment with ideal location beside the Palma Sport & Tennis Club

Ref. MF2600

This flat is situated on the third floor of a building right next to the Palma Tenis and close to the Santa Catalina market. From here you can also quickly reach...

495.000
125 m2
Santa Catalina - Tennis
4
1
More about the property
Luxury object

Beautiful apartment in modern classic building

Ref. MFP173B

This newly renovated building is located on a pedestrian street in the heart of Palma, between the bustling Avenidas and Pere Garau. It is an ideal area to live,...

571.000
96 m2
10 m2
Palma City
3
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Beautiful apartment in modern classic building

Ref. MFP173A

This newly renovated building is located on a pedestrian street in the heart of Palma, between the bustling Avenidas and Pere Garau. It is an ideal area to live,...

477.000
75 m2
13 m2
Palma City
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Top of the line luxury apartment in Cas Català

Ref. MF2491

This stunning apartment is located in the luxury neighborhood of Cas Catala. It is part of an exclusive community with partial sea views and...

1.850.000
190 m2
33 m2
Cas Catala
3
4
More about the property
Luxury object

Seaside property in Port de Soller

Ref. MF2597

Two bedroom flat in front of the beach in popular Port de Soller. This property gives you the opportunity to live first line to the sea, without crossing any road....

595.000
62 m2
12 m2
Port de Sóller
2
1
More about the property
Luxury object

Big townhouse in San Agustin

Ref. 037979

This renovated house is located in a quiet street in San Agustin. It is only a few minutes walk from the beach and the port of Cala Nova. The property is built on...

950.000
205 m2
295 m2
San Agustin
4
3
More about the property
Luxury object

Top sea view apartment in Palma

Ref. MF2501

Located in the highest building in Palma, this apartment has been recently renovated with a discerning eye for detail and style. Its...

1.250.000
124 m2
18 m2
Es Forti
2
2
More about the property
Luxury object

Renovated penthouse in Es Forti

Ref. SHJ2888

This is a beautiful renovated penthouse with its private terrace and a view of the city. The attention to detail, good taste, and love put into transforming the...

295.000
58 m2
12 m2
Es Forti
1
1
More about the property
Luxury object

Luxury townhouse with pool in Son Espanyolet

Ref. MFP135

High up in the quiet part of the sought after area of ​​Son Espanyolet, a fantastic house with a private pool and large terraces is being built. The location is...

1.650.000
133 m2
78 m2
Son Espanyolet
3
3
More about the property
Show more properties

Fill in your details and we will help you find your dream home

Fill in your details and we will help you find your dream home

Please fill in our request form by clicking on the link. In the form, you can also choose whether you want to be informed about our latest properties via email or newsletters.

Questionnaire
Open chat
1
More than a real estate agency
Welcome to Mallorcaresidencia! How can we help you?