Semana Santa

Christina Quicler / AFP / Getty

The Virgin
If Spain is the epicenter of Semana Santa, then Seville is its ground zero. Here pasos — lifesize, painted wooded images — are taken from their shrines and paraded around the city on large floats. Each brotherhood, including La Esperanza de Triana above, has at least two pasos — one representing a scene from the Passion and the other a Virgin (pictured here). The Virgin's mantle is decorated with gold and jewels and takes nearly two years to create.

Get the Latest Photos from Time.com
Get TIME photos and pictures of the week delivered directly to your inbox.