Holy Week in Alicante 2025: Holy Tuesday Processions

Tercer día de procesiones en Alicante, con cuatro hermandades y cofradías que recorren las calles portando sus tronos. Es impresionante la salida del Cristo del Mar desde la basílica de Santa María, así también su entrada, de rodillas a pesar de la enormidad de la puerta.

Many of these processions weave through the intricate alleyways of Alicante's Old Town, adding a deeper sense of emotion to the steps.

The Franciscan Brotherhood of the Ecce Homo will carry a special tribute for the victims of the Valencia storm on October 29. The canopy of Our Lady of Bitterness will bear votive candles in honour of those who perished in the tragedy.

The two floats of the brotherhood (the Most Holy Ecce-Homo and Our Lady of Bitterness) depart from the narrow parish of San Antonio de Padua, where their canonical seat is located. It's a point of interest to witness the departure, as well as the double turn at the corner of José Gutiérrez Petén with Quintana.

Also new this year, they unveil carved panels on the front and rear of the mystery float, as well as silver-plated falls on the side and rear of Our Lady of Bitterness.

The brothers will wear velvet skirts in garnet and gold embroidery with vegetal motifs for the Virgin.

The Marist College Brotherhood will be accompanied for the first time by children aged 3 and 4, processing alongside adults with hoods, as a way to renew the faith of Holy Week. The Stabat Mater Brotherhood is composed of members of the college in all its bodies, from bearers to mantilla ladies or row brothers.

Stabat Mater features two images: the Stabat Mater sculptural group, crafted by Remigio Soler from Benalúa in 1993, and also Our Good Mother of Sorrows and the Holy Shroud, by Ramón Cuenca Santos, celebrating its fifth anniversary.

The Christ of the Sea is one of the most impressive processions to witness in Alicante from its departure at the Basilica of Santa María. Despite the enormous door, the bearers kneel to carry the float due to its height. The crowd maintains absolute silence during the challenging manoeuvre, allowing the bearers to hear the foreman's orders.

Following it, Our Lady of Sorrows Crowned - an anonymous Neapolitan carving from the late 16th century - appears, showered with flower petals from above - also exiting on their knees - to make way for Saint John of the Palm.

During the route, besides the Official Route, they have a Station of Penitence at the co-cathedral of San Nicolás and return through Alicante's Old Town. When they face Villavieja Street, already returning to the basilica, they pause to hear the Habanera of Sorrows, a moment of great emotion.

New for 2025, the Christ of the Sea has completed its gilding, along with a new silver dagger plated in gold with a medal in the cross. Meanwhile, the Virgin of Sorrows debuts tail lanterns.

The Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus features two images: Our Father Jesus and the Most Holy Virgin of Sorrows. Both depart from the co-cathedral of San Nicolás and, after traversing the Official Route, proceed through the Old Town until they meet in the same Abad Penalva square when the procession concludes before entering the canonical seat.

It is important that before entering, when the Virgin of Sorrows traverses the last metres along Labradores Street, the march 'Our Mother ascends Labradores' is performed.