Holy Week in Alicante 2025: Holy Monday Processions in Alicante

Alicante continues the Passion days with a Holy Monday that honours its origins as a seafaring village, with 'El Morenet'; the tradition of the Clamator at the doors of Our Lady of Grace, and also the evolution of faith with the debut of new images, such as in the case of the Augustinian brotherhood of Our Father Jesus Stripped of His Garments.

'El Morenet' is rooted in the origins of Alicante, a small fishing village bathed by the Mediterranean, now transformed into Spain's tenth largest city. Yet, the brotherhood maintains this maritime spirit of the city, and the Crucified Christ of 'El Morenet' is the patron of seafarers.

As expected, 'El Morenet' could only depart from the Raval Roig, the fishermen's quarter of Alicante, facing the Postiguet beach and at the foot of Santa Bárbara Castle. Witnessing the departure from the Raval Roig chapel, located midway up a staircase connecting almost the beach with the neighbourhood, is moving. The narrowness and difficulty of its exit metaphorically reflect the harsh conditions faced by seafarers.

As thrilling as its departure is, its return along the Postiguet beach and back via the Gómiz Promenade walkway, where it ascends the famous bridge to return the Christ to its home, is beautiful.

The processions in Alicante are not confined to its Old Town and central area. Some floats, like that of Our Lady of Consolation, extend to the city's neighbourhoods, in this case, Pla, Carlonas, and San Antón.

This necessitates long processional routes, as all thrones must pass through the Official Route.

They depart from the gardens of the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (Marq) and traverse the mentioned neighbourhoods to the Official Route, stopping at the Mercy parish, where they meet the Brotherhood of the Great Power.

The three floats (Our Father Jesus in the Sacred Washing, Our Father Jesus of the Arrest, and Our Lady of Consolation) gather in the Town Hall square.

Interestingly, the brothers wear the medal of Honorary Steward of the California Brotherhood of Cartagena.

It is essential to arrive early, very early, at the procession's departure from the central parish of Our Lady of Grace, in Montañeta square. Unlike many other processions, the temple doors remain closed until, solemnly, the Clamator's call is made. It is then that they open wide, and the procession of the two images begins.

The route has several points of interest, from the crowd gathered at the departure to the spectacular access through the Black Gate of the co-cathedral of San Nicolás and an intimate and welcoming moment when returning to the canonical seat through San Francisco and Barón de Finestrat streets. Any of the three is a good spot to observe it.

Attention to the faithful, as this year the route to the Penitential Station in the co-cathedral is modified. Other novelties for 2025 include the debut of the candlestick of the canopy of Our Lady of Tears.

The Augustinian brotherhood debuts the image of Saint Longinus in 2025, as rain prevented its outing last year when it was planned. Thus, the mystery float of the Stripped, the work of Ramón Cuenca Santo, is completed.

Two of the three images (Cross Step and Our Father Jesus Stripped of His Garments) depart from the San Roque chapel in the Old Town, while the Virgin of Love and Good Counsel departs from the Convent of the Blood, although they meet in Abad Penalva square, at the doors of the co-cathedral, at the end of the Penitential Station.

Another novelty is the debut of a nominal brooch and a pectoral cross of Our Mother of Good Counsel.