Celebration of the Via Crucis, inside the church of the Carmelite Fathers. / MIGUEL ÁNGEL FERNÁNDEZ
Looking at the sky. The day of Holy Wednesday was developed with an eye on the last meteorological hour until the point where the storm forced the planned steps to be modified. This was the case of the Penitential Via Crucis, which was planned in the garden of the Carmelite Fathers. Due to the strong gusts of wind and the state of the orchard due to the rains, the event organized by the Board of Brotherhoods, Brotherhoods and Parishions took place at the same time inside the church of the Carmelite Fathers, with the Christ of the Good Death (17th century).
Pending the forecasts, it was also the turn this Wednesday for the Holy Via Crucis and with the image of the Holy Christ of Patience (17th century), from the Parish of San Andrés, with the step carried on shoulders and the band El Cirineo, which on this occasion presented a change of route through the neighborhood. In the San José neighborhood, the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo (Juan Manuel Montaño, 2015) and the Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora de la Piedad and the band of the same name took center stage.
Jesus the Captive Procession
Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday the bulk of the step programming begins. In this way, the procession of the Flagellation of the Lord Pass (José Quixal, 1907) is planned, organized by the Brotherhood of the Flagellation of the Lord (6:15 p.m.) from the Church of the Resurrection to the Cathedral.
The procession of Our Lady of Solitude at the Foot of the Cross and the Holy Christ in his last Word, led by the brotherhood and the band of the same name, will carry the said images of Aniceto Marinas (1930 and 1947 respectively) from the church of San Millán (6:45 p.m.) to the Cathedral.
La Soledad Dolorosa (anonymous, from the 17th-18th century), from the Brotherhood of the same name, Brotherhood of Recollection, is scheduled to procession from San Antón Street (7:15 p.m.) to the Cathedral. She will be accompanied by the Brotherhood’s titular band and members of the Artillery Academy.
The procession of El Calvario (Olot School), La Magdalena al Pie de la Cruz (Sebastián Sanabra, 1907) and La Piedad (José Quixal, 1907), of the Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora de la Piedad and its band, will leave from the parish of San José Obrero (6:30 p.m.) to reach the Cathedral.
The program continues with the procession of Santo Cristo del Mercado (anonymous, 16th century), led by the Brotherhood of the Slavery of Santo Cristo de la Cruz, from Plaza Cristo del Mercado (7:30 p.m.) to the Cathedral. It will be accompanied by the step carried on shoulders, band and escort of members of the Civil Guard Command.
Late at night the procession is scheduled to accompany the Steps Jesus with the Cross on his back (José Quixal, 1907) and the Virgin of Sorrows (Juan de Juni School, 16th century), from the Marist School (9:00 p.m.) to arrive to the Cathedral. You will have accompaniment: steps carried on shoulders and banzos, and a Titular Band of the Brotherhood.
The Penitential procession of the Prayer in the Garden Pass (José Rius, 1907), by the Brotherhood of Prayer in the Garden, will leave from the Plaza de San Lorenzo (8:00 p.m.) to conclude in the Cathedral, accompanied by the Band of Cornets and ‘Félix Martín’ drums.
The Holy Thursday program concludes with the Via Crucis organized by the Royal Brotherhood of the Holy and Venerable Slavery and Parish of El Salvador (9:00 p.m.), with images of the Holy Christ of the Gascones (anonymous, 11th-12th century ) and the Sorrowful Virgin. The tour begins at the Church of San Justo y Pastor, through the streets of the neighborhood, to return to the temple where the Hymn to the Christ of the Gascons will be sung. As an accompaniment, the Cristo de los Gascones carried on its original litter, band of bugles and drums, the Brotherhood’s titular band.
Shuttle service
The Segovia City Council, given the foreseeable arrival of a high number of visitors and tourists during the central days of Holy Week, has set up a park and ride on the esplanade in front of the Urban Planning offices, on the Palazuelos road. To facilitate access for tourists and visitors from this point to the city center, a shuttle bus service has also been arranged that will begin operating on Holy Thursday and will continue until March 31, Easter Sunday.
The first expedition of the service, for which the ordinary price of the ticket was established and payment by card was enabled, will depart at 11:30 a.m. from the stop that has been enabled in this space and will arrive directly, along Padre Claret Avenue, at the main bus stop in Plaza de la Artillería, where it will depart again at 11:45 a.m. towards the park and ride and so on continuously, uninterruptedly, until 8:00 p.m. Also, public transport lines 4 and 5 stop in this area, which maintain the usual schedule on holidays.
This deterrent parking is added to the two public ones that Segovia has: the one in José Zorrilla and the one located on Paseo de Ezequiel González, as well as the three private ones, located on Avenida del Acueducto, in Padre Claret and the Cathedral car park. -Oblates. In addition, thanks to the agreement that has been reached with the management of the General Hospital, the parking lot of this health complex can also be used.
Finally, and to facilitate access to these infrastructures and guide visitors, the Segovia City Council reinforced the signage with information posters at the Pastor, Santo Tomás and Cubo roundabouts, in front of the detour to the Palazuelos highway. .