During Easter, also known as Holy Week or Semana Santa, many Peruvians participate in religious processions and ceremonies often accompanied by music, traditional dances, and other cultural expressions that showcase Peru’s rich heritage. 

Cusco, Procession of the Lord of the Tremors

Cusco has a unique tradition of venerating the Lord of the Tremors, also known as Taytacha de los Temblores, since the earthquake of 1650. The image is paraded through the streets of Cusco in a multitudinous procession on Holy Monday, also known as Lunes Santo, which falls on the Monday before Easter. During the procession, the image is carried through the city streets, just as the Incas used to parade the mummies of their chieftains, high priests, and supreme rulers. This celebration uniquely blends Catholic and Andean traditions, reflecting the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Easter in Ayacucho, declared as Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

During the Holy week, a series of masses are held, and the images of different saints go throughout the main streets of Ayacucho. On Good Friday, people gather in the main square and assemble a carpet of roses of different colors. On Saturday of Glory, devotees prepare for the departure of the Lord of the Resurrection. On this day, the assembly of the anda is carried out, a pyramidal structure built with eucalyptus that measures 9 meters high and 3 meters wide. The last day is Sunday when the Lord of the Resurrection procession leaves from the Huamanga Cathedral to the Plaza de Armas at 5 a.m. There are more than 300 people who are in charge of loading the sacred image. You can see a white pyramid with 3,000 candles, more than 15,000 candles, and flowers.

Arequipa, Procession of the Lord of Charity

The celebration of Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, with the celebration of a mass that starts at 10:00 in the morning. In the afternoon, the image of the Lord of Charity, the sworn Patron Saint of Arequipa, is carried out in the city’s main streets. The celebrations continue on Holy Thursday when the betrayal of Judas and the imprisonment of Jesus Christ are commemorated. Good Friday is when the crucifixion of Jesus is remembered. In addition to commemorating this day, unique special events occur in the city, such as preparing typical desserts like mazamorra. 

Cajamarca, The Festival of the Crosses of Porcón

The Festival of the Crosses of Porcón is an Andean and Catholic tradition that stages the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, accompanied by 40 large and heavy crosses, which the Porconeros proudly carry. The festival begins with Lent in the Christian calendar. For 40 days, the devotees carry out activities and rites in which the Catholic and the Andean elements are harmoniously mixed.