article_detail
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE WITH US

  • Home
  • Spanish News
  • Covid 19
  • Property News
  • Motoring
    & Travel
    • All Motoring & Travel News
    • Driving In Spain
    • Spanish Motoring Laws
  • lifestyle
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Art & Culture
EDITIONS: Murcia Today Alicante Today Andalucia Today
article_detail

Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of Mula


Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of Mula

Costaleros struggle to carry their unwieldy burdens through the narrow streets of the old quarter

Maundy Thursday: Jueves Santo in Mula

Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of MulaSemana Santa in Mula is an intimate affair, the parades winding down through the narrow streets of the historic old quarter of the town, squeezing amidst buildings which are barely far enough apart to permit the passage of the heavy sculpted tableaux and their precious burdens of sculptures and flowers.

The twisting nature of the streets makes it impossible for the "tronos" to be lengthened in order to spread the weight across more shoulders, so fewer costaleros are charged with the burden of bearing these sculptures. The task is made even more difficult by the fact that what goes down must come back up, and the last hour of these processions a feat of endurance as the weary bearers climb back uphill to the top of the town after 3 hours of slow progress along the cobbled streets.

Mula was built on a strategically advantageous hilltop in the mediaeval era of the Reconquista, the original Moorish town being abandoned after the Christians re-took southern Spain in 1243 following more than 500 years of Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of MulaMoorish occupation.

Mula dominates the natural landscape, guarding the narrow valley which leads into the north-west of Murcia and the interior regions of Spain, having been a stop-off on trade routes used more than a thousand years before the Moors first invaded southern Spain in 711.

Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of MulaFurther back, the area had been controlled by native Iberian tribes who traded with Greek and Phoenician opportunists along the Mediterranean coastline: The Iberians lost power following the invasion of the Romans, who were in turn supplanted by the Visigoths sweeping into Spain after the engorged Roman Empire disintegrated.

Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of MulaMula as we see it today was built after the Christian forces of Castile and Aragón conquered what is now Murcia and built a new town to oversee this strategic trade route. This important location, added to the substantial local resources of stone, marble and fertile soil led to great wealth for several local noble families, and in 1430 the town was given to the most politically ambitious and powerful family in the region, the Fajardos, much to the anger of other local families.

The Fajardos stamped their authority by building the castle which still looks down over the town, creating a Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of Mulaconflict which still rumbles on even today amongst the rebellious locals who refused to accept this imposition and developed an independence of spirit which “was passed down in the milk of their mothers" according to correspondence written as far back as the 16th century.

This same spirit of determination to enjoy the moment even through hardship and struggle still permeates events as important as Semana Santa, those charged with bearing the heavy tronos relaxed and jovial as they shoulder their burdens, their robes engorged with the weight of sweets which are handed out in generous handfuls to children en route, leaving the ground sticky with crushed sweets and wrappers as the procession passes by.

Semana Santa is a family affair in Mula, generations parading together as the youngsters are taught to give with generosity and hand their pouches of lollipops to others, diminutive trumpet players stomping along in oversized trousers with their parents, a straggle of chattering penitents enjoying the parade in spite of all attempts to silence them beneath the glaring gaze of the Fajardos as they pass in front of  the floodlit castle, abn no rigid lines of military precision. Faces are not hidden and the hoods worn are open and pinned back to reveal smiles and allow cahtter to flow. 

Each town has its peculiarities during Semana Santa and the use of scallop shells as lanterns to light the way before the paso of the image of Scallops for Santiago and sweets for sharing in the Semana Santa processions of MulaSantiago is the most striking of this Thursday night procession in Mula. Santiago (or Saint James) is said by some to have arrived in the Region of Murcia as he spread the word of God through Spain, and the scallop shell was a practical sign of pilgrimage which was used to scoop up water and food, easily carried and of no monetary value.

Any religious building with links to Santiago sports carvings of scallops, and they are still carried today along the Route of Santiago to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in the world.

On the Thursday of Semana Santa in Mula they liglht the way through the streets, accompanied by blaring trumpets and the sound of drums which local residents are so familiar with during this holy week as they celebrate the life of Christ before the procession of silence and shame in darkened streets which recalls how Jesus was crucified for his beliefs.

Click for more information about the municipality of Mula.
 


article_detail

Tourist Info and Places to visit
Sierra Espuña, a Mecca for nature..

Ideas for making the most of the green heart of Murcia in the mountains of Sierra Espuña If you count yourself as..

The Casa Pintada in Mula
Museum of El Cigarralejo, Mula
Mula tourist office
Historical background and history
Artist Cristóbal Gabarrón in..

The Casa Pintada is home to a permanent exhibition of works by this Mula-born artist Mula is the home of the Casa Pintada..

A history of Mula
Romería of the Niño de Jesús de Balate in Mula
The 2,500-year-old Iberian site of El Cigarralejo in Mula
Sierra Espuña
Sierra Espuña, a Mecca for nature..

Ideas for making the most of the green heart of Murcia in the mountains of Sierra Espuña If you count yourself as..

The Via Crucis in Totana, stunning sculpture set in the beautiful..
Ricardo Codorníu Visitor Centre, Sierra Espuña
General Information Sierra Espuña
Local News and Whats on
March 31 to April 9 Semana Santa..

The Tamborada in Mula on the night of Easter Tuesday is a fiesta of International Tourist Interest The Semana Santa celebrations..

Chance to win three-bed Mula home in unique raffle
Cultural and Community Venues
The Teatro Lope de Vega in Mula..

A public building used for theatrical, musical and cinematographic events The Teatro Lope de Vega in Mula serves both..

Sala Municipal de Exposiciones del Hospital, Mula
Glorieta Juan Carlos I, Mula
MULA Cajamurcia Aula de Cultura
Fiestas and traditions
Scallops for Santiago and sweets..

Costaleros struggle to carry their unwieldy burdens through the narrow streets of the old quarter Maundy Thursday..

Romería of the Niño de Jesús de Balate in Mula
Semana Santa in Mula
Churches and Hours of service
Mass times in the churches of..

Catholic church services in Mula The main church in Mula is the Parroquia de San Miguel in the heart of the old..

San Miguel Arcángel art museum in Mula
The church of San Miguel Arcángel in Mula
Medical Information and Doctors
Hospitals, Region of Murcia

All major hospitals have A&E Emergency Departments Listed below are all the public hospitals in the Region of Murcia..

Plants to be aware of if you are prone to allergies and hay..
article_detail
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 966 260 896 / Office 968 018 268
Direct Payment | Terms And Conditons | Privacy Policy | Legal | About Us | Advertise With Us


To be listed on the CAMPOSOL TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
To be listed on the CONDADO TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
Guidelines for submitting articles to Camposol Today

Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event.

Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia.

When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible:

Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com

Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc

Include all relevant points, including:

Who is the organisation running the event?

Where is it happening?

When?

How much does it cost?

Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day?

…but try not to exceed 300 words

Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb