Fiesta de las Cruces
Encyclopedia
The Fiesta de las Cruces ("Festival of the Crosses") or Cruz de Mayo ("May Cross") is a holiday celebrated 3 May in many parts of Spain
and Hispanic America
.
died, but the popular traditions connected to the festival certainly originate from pagan traditions brought to Spain by the Roman Empire
(see May Day
).
The legend is that Emperor Constantine I
, in the sixth year of his reign, confronted the barbarian
s on the banks of the Danube
, in a battle where victory was believed to be impossible because of the great size of the enemy army. One night, Constantine had a vision of a cross in the sky, and by it the words "In hoc signo vincis" (With this sign, you shall be victorious). The emperor had a cross made and put it at the front of his army, which won an easy victory over the enemy multitude. On returning to the city and learning the significance of the cross, Constantine was baptized as a Christian
and gave orders to construct Christian churches. He sent his mother, Saint Helena, to Jerusalem in search of the True Cross
, the cross on which Jesus died. Once there, Helena summoned the wisest priests to aid in her attempt to find the cross. On Calvary Hill, traditionally considered the site of Jesus's crucifixion, she found three bloody logs hidden. In order to discover which was the True Cross, she placed the logs one by one over sick people, and even dead people, who were cured or resuscitated at the touch of the True Cross. The veneration
of the True Cross, and the use of pieces of the True Cross as relic
s, begins at this time. Santa Helena died praying for all believers in Christ to celebrate the commemoration of the day the Cross was found.
of Antioquia
, Caldas
, Quindío
, and Risaralda
, and the municipality of Funza
, diocese of Facatativá, have a large population of Basque descent, who carry on the tradition of the Día de la Santa Cruz ("Day of the Holy Cross") or Día de los Mil Jesuses ("Day of the Thousand Jesuses") on 3 May. People speak the name of Jesus one thousand times, and believe this will protect them through the coming year.
, the holiday takes on a more raucous aspect. There are fireworks and people drink canelazo
. There are feasts and masquerades.
The construction equipment and materials retailer FFACSA, one of Guatemala's leading businesses, sponsors a large and less traditional celebration in the department
of Chimaltenango
. That celebration begins at 6 p.m. on 2 May with a celebration of the eucharist
in honor of the Holy Cross. On 3 May people begin to gather at 3 a.m. and parade through the streets of various municipalities of the department, after which there are various sporting activities (including mountain biking
and a marathon
). At noon, roughly 3,000 construction workers gather for lunch at FFACSA's various branch offices (in Quetzaltenango
, Sacatepequez
, Totonicapan
) and at their central site in Chimaltenango. After lunch there are raffle
s, with prizes such as motorcycles, bicycles, televisions, DVD players, and household appliances. At 4 p.m. there is an open-air concert at the park in the center of Chimaltenango, again with raffles and prizes, and from 7 p.m. there are fireworks competitions.
, the celebration of the Holy Cross began at the dawn of the 16th century, when captain Juan de Grijalba gave the name Isla de la Santa Cruz to the island now known as Cozumel
, Quintana Roo
. The holiday is celebrated in Mexico mainly by guilds and unions involved in construction. A cross adorned with flowers and paper is placed in a high position on a building in the process of construction. The workers then celebrate with local cuisine and alcoholic beverages such as tequila
, mezcal
, and local beer.
, the Day of the Cross ("Día de la Cruz" in Spanish
) as it is known, is celebrated on May 3rd. This celebration is not considered an official government or church holiday; it only marks the beginning of the "wet" or rainy season (winter) in El Salvador. It is a tradition that dates back to prehispanic times in which the indigenous people of the region (Pipiles) offered food to give thanks to the Gods and Mother Earth for what they provided. The cross was added when the tradition fused with Catholicism
during the colonial period. The cross is made from wood, decorated with flowers and long chains of colorful tissue paper. Fruits, grains, vegetables, drinks, candies and sometimes money are placed at the foot of the cross as offerings. Visitors to the household are invited to take offerings with them after he/she kneels in front of the cross and recites a thanksgiving prayer.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Hispanic America
Hispanic America
Hispanic America or Spanish America is the region comprising the American countries inhabited by Spanish-speaking populations.These countries have significant commonalities with each other and with Spain, whose colonies they formerly were...
.
Origins
Religiously, the festival is rooted in the search by the Byzantine Empress Saint Helena for the cross on which JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
died, but the popular traditions connected to the festival certainly originate from pagan traditions brought to Spain by the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
(see May Day
May Day
May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
).
The legend is that Emperor Constantine I
Constantine I
Constantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
, in the sixth year of his reign, confronted the barbarian
Barbarian
Barbarian and savage are terms used to refer to a person who is perceived to be uncivilized. The word is often used either in a general reference to a member of a nation or ethnos, typically a tribal society as seen by an urban civilization either viewed as inferior, or admired as a noble savage...
s on the banks of the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
, in a battle where victory was believed to be impossible because of the great size of the enemy army. One night, Constantine had a vision of a cross in the sky, and by it the words "In hoc signo vincis" (With this sign, you shall be victorious). The emperor had a cross made and put it at the front of his army, which won an easy victory over the enemy multitude. On returning to the city and learning the significance of the cross, Constantine was baptized as a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and gave orders to construct Christian churches. He sent his mother, Saint Helena, to Jerusalem in search of the True Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
, the cross on which Jesus died. Once there, Helena summoned the wisest priests to aid in her attempt to find the cross. On Calvary Hill, traditionally considered the site of Jesus's crucifixion, she found three bloody logs hidden. In order to discover which was the True Cross, she placed the logs one by one over sick people, and even dead people, who were cured or resuscitated at the touch of the True Cross. The veneration
Veneration
Veneration , or veneration of saints, is a special act of honoring a saint: an angel, or a dead person who has been identified by a church committee as singular in the traditions of the religion. It is practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic, and Eastern Catholic Churches...
of the True Cross, and the use of pieces of the True Cross as relic
Relic
In religion, a relic is a part of the body of a saint or a venerated person, or else another type of ancient religious object, carefully preserved for purposes of veneration or as a tangible memorial...
s, begins at this time. Santa Helena died praying for all believers in Christ to celebrate the commemoration of the day the Cross was found.
Places where the holiday is celebrated
The Fiesta de las Cruces is celebrated in numerous places in Spain and Hispanoamerica.Spain
- Aguilar de la FronteraAguilar de la FronteraAguilar, or Aguilar de la Frontera, is a municipality and town in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia, southern Spain, near the small river Cabra, 50 kilometers from the provincial capital, Córdoba, on the Córdoba-Málaga railway....
(Province of Córdoba). There is a procession of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios from the Iglesia de la Veracruz ("Church of the True Cross") in the Remedios neighborhood. - Aguilar del Río AlhamaAguilar del Río AlhamaAguilar del Río Alhama is a village in the province and autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain....
(La RiojaLa Rioja (Spain)La Rioja is an autonomous community and a province of northern Spain. Its capital is Logroño. Other cities and towns in the province include Calahorra, Arnedo, Alfaro, Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and Nájera.-History:...
). - ÁguilasÁguilasÁguilas is a municipality and seaport of southeastern Spain, in the province of Murcia. It is situated at the southern end of Murcia's Mediterranean coastline, otherwise known as the Costa Cálida, near the border with the Province of Almería....
(Region of MurciaRegion of MurciaThe Region of Murcia is an autonomous community of Spain located in the southeast of the country, between Andalusia and Valencian Community, on the Mediterranean coast....
) in the pedanía (sub-municipal district) of Calabardina. - Alboraya (Province of Valencia). Organized by the Junta Local de Hermandades de Semana Santa de Alboraya (Local Alboraya Grouping of Brotherhoods of the Holy Week).
- Alcalá la RealAlcalá la RealAlcalá la Real is a city located in the province of Jaén, Spain. According to the 2006 census , the city has a population of 22,129 inhabitants.-Geography:...
(Province of Jaén). - Alfaz del Pi (Province of Alicante).
- Alhama de MurciaAlhama de MurciaAlhama de Murcia is a Spanish municipality in the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia.-External links:*...
(Murcia). - Alhaurín el GrandeAlhaurín el GrandeAlhaurin el Grande is a town located in the province of Málaga in Andalusia, southern Spain, 30 km from the provincial capital, and at 239 meters above the sea level.It is situated between the river Fahala and the stream of Blas González...
(Province of Málaga). - Aljucer, a pedanía of the city of MurciaMurcia-History:It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin words of Myrtea or Murtea, meaning land of Myrtle , although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village...
. - AlicanteAlicanteAlicante or Alacant is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 334,418, estimated , ranking as the second-largest...
, in the Santa Cruz neighborhood. - AlmeríaAlmeríaAlmería is a city in Andalusia, Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name.-Toponym:Tradition says that the name Almería stems from the Arabic المرية Al-Mariyya: "The Mirror", comparing it to "The Mirror of the Sea"...
, throughout the historic center of the city. - Almonaster la RealAlmonaster la RealAlmonaster la Real is a town and municipality located in the province of Huelva, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city had a population of 1,805 inhabitants.-Demographics:-Mezquita, 10th Century:...
(province of Huelva). - AlmuñécarAlmuñécarAlmuñécar is a municipality in the Spanish Autonomous Region of Andalusia on the Costa Tropical between Nerja and Motril . It has a subtropical climate...
(Province of Granada). - ArmillaArmillaArmilla can refer to:-* Armilla , a gold armband awarded as a medal equivalent to soldiers of ancient Rome* Armillary sphere.* Armilla, Granada, a municipality in the province of Granada....
(Province of GranadaGranadaGranada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
). The city government organizes a competition of decorated crosses on 3 May. - AndosillaAndosillaAndosilla is a town in the province and autonomous community of Navarra, northern Spain.-External links:*...
(Province of Navarre). - Aranda de DueroAranda de DueroAranda de Duero is a Spanish town and municipality in the south of the province of Burgos, autonomous community of Castile and León. It has a population of roughly 33,000 people. The post code for the town is 09400. The closest airport is in Valladolid....
(Province of Burgos). A cross is brought down from the church-museum of San Juan to the Plaza Mayor (main square), with hundreds of people dancing behind. - BazaBazaBaza may refer to:*Baza, Granada, a town and municipality in Granada, Spain*Bazas or Aviceda, genus of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family...
(Granada). - BerrocalBerrocalBerrocal is a city located in the province of Huelva, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 371 inhabitants.-Demographics:-External links:* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
(Huelva). - BonaresBonares-External links:* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
(Huelva). - Breña AltaBreña AltaBreña Alta is a municipality on the eastern side of the island of La Palma, in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. The ayuntamiento is in the town of San Pedro, at 350 m above sea-level, and only 9 km south of the island's capital Santa Cruz de la Palma...
(Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife). - Breña BajaBreña BajaBreña Baja is a municipality on the eastern side of the island of La Palma, in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. The ayuntamiento is in the town of San José with an elevation of 300 m. Villa de Mazo lies on the main highway encircling the island, south of the capital...
(Santa Cruz de Tenerife). - BurrianaBurrianaBorriana or Burriana is a town in eastern Spain, in the province of Castellón, part of the autonomous community of Valencia. Its population exceeds 34,000, some of them recent immigrants from North Africa and Eastern Europe ....
(Province of Castellón). - Cabeza la VacaCabeza la Vaca'Cabeza la Vaca is a municipality located in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. The origin dates back to 14th century,nevertheless the settlement stems from pre-Roman era. It´s possible that the original core of the town was the upper part known as "el coso"...
(Province of Badajoz). At different places around Cabeza la Vaca, crosses are adorned in a variety of motifs. On the night of 2 May, crosses are paraded through town, each accompanied by a musical group. On 3 May a procession goes through the streets of the city, with one primary cross representing the True Cross, but also many other crosses adorned by children with flowers. - CádizCádizCadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the homonymous province, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia....
. Crosses with flowers are taken in procession throughout the city. Also, folk festivals (verbenasVerbena (fair)In Spanish-speaking cultures, a verbena is a country fair, modest amusement park, or a dance party, especially one held at night. An old tradition, they usually take place after dark in the summer...
) are held in honor of the cross, and many courtyards are decorated in floral motifs. - CadreteCadreteCadrete is a small town in north-east Spain, close to Zaragoza. It is notable for his Muslim castle, Mudejar Church and famous Cardoons. More recently, a massive wind-turbine has been installed at less than 300 meters away from the village, producing several landscape damages and high noise rates...
(Province of Zaragoza). - CaminrealCaminrealCaminreal is a municipality located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 760 inhabitants....
(Province of Teruel). - CiezaCieza, MurciaCieza is a town and municipality in Spain, in the autonomous community of Murcia. It is the capital of the Vega Alta comarca, an old form of provincial subdivision). Its current population is around 40,000...
(Murcia). - Province of Ciudad Real. The festival is celebrated throughout the province. In particular, the celebrations at Campo de Calatrava, PiedrabuenaPiedrabuenaPiedrabuena is a municipality in Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It has a population of 4,759.- Links :**...
and Villanueva de los InfantesVillanueva de los InfantesVillanueva de los Infantes is a municipality in the province of Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It has a population of c. 5,800.This is also the capital of the comarca Campo de Montiel. It has been signed by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid as "El Lugar de La Mancha" called at start...
in the comarcaComarcaA comarca is a traditional region or local administrative division found in parts of Spain, Portugal, Panama, Nicaragua, and Brazil. The term is derived from the term marca, meaning a "march, mark", plus the prefix co- meaning "together, jointly".The comarca is known in Aragonese as redolada and...
Campo de MontielCampo de MontielCampo de Montiel is a comarca in Castile-La Mancha, Spain....
have been declared to be of Regional Touristic Interest. - CoínCoínCoín is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, Spain, c. 33 km west of the provincial capital, Málaga, and c. 30 km north of Marbella...
(Málaga) - CórdobaCórdoba, Spain-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
. The Fiesta de las Cruces is combined with a festival can competition for decorated courtyards in the Real Feria de Mayo, with 25 crosses and 50 patios (courtyards) - DosbarriosDosbarriosDosbarrios is a municipality located in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2006 census , the municipality has a population of 2280 inhabitants....
(Province of Toledo). - ÉcijaÉcijaÉcija is a city belonging to the province of Seville, Spain. It is located in the Andalusian countryside, 85 km east of the city of Seville. According to the 2008 census, Écija has a total population of 40,100 inhabitants, ranking as the fifth most populous city in the province...
(Province of Seville). Organized by the Hermandad del Resucitado, with traditional children carrying the crosses. Celebrated on a Sunday (3 May or the first Sunday thereafter). - El MadroñoEl MadroñoEl Madroño is a municipality located in the province of Seville, Spain. According to the 2005 census , the town has a population of 367 inhabitants.-External links:* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
(Seville). - El Viso del AlcorEl Viso del AlcorEl Viso del Alcor is a city located in the province of Seville, Spain. , the city has a population of 18,351 inhabitants.-External links:*...
(Seville). - FeriaFeria, BadajozFeria is a Spanish municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura. It has a population of 1,369 and an area of 73.7 km².-External links:* *...
(Badajoz). Crosses are elaborately decorated in flowers, and altars are set up in rooms throughout the city. In 2008 there were more than 70 crosses. Declared as of National Touristic Interest. - GranadaGranadaGranada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
. One of the most beautiful of the festivals, and one of the cities most prominent for its celebrations of the holiday. Prizes are awarded in several categories: courtyards, streets and plazas, windows, and schools. The crosses are adorned with red and white carnationCarnationDianthus caryophyllus is a species of Dianthus. It is probably native to the Mediterranean region but its exact range is unknown due to extensive cultivation for the last 2,000 years. It is the wild ancestor of the garden carnation.It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 80 cm tall...
s and often surrounded by artisanal handicrafts. - Granja de RocamoraGranja de RocamoraGranja de Rocamora is a village in the province of Alicante and autonomous community of Valencia, Spain.-References:...
(Alicante) - GuadalcázarGuadalcázarGuadalcázar is a city located in the province of Córdoba, southern Spain.-External links:* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
(Córdoba), in the Plaza de España. - HellínHellínHellín is a town and municipality located in the south of the province of Albacete, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. , it has a population of 31,109....
(Province of Albacete) - HuelvaHuelvaHuelva is a city in southwestern Spain, the capital of the province of Huelva in the autonomous region of Andalusia. It is located along the Gulf of Cadiz coast, at the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto rivers. According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 149,410 inhabitants. The...
, especially for the Cruz de Mayo of San Pedro. - JaénJaén, SpainJaén is a city in south-central Spain, the name is derived from the Arabic word Jayyan, . It is the capital of the province of Jaén. It is located in the autonomous community of Andalusia....
. - Jávea (Alicante).
- La Palma del CondadoLa Palma del CondadoLa Palma del Condado is a town and municipality located in the province of Huelva, Spain. According to the 2005 census, it has a population of 9,925 inhabitants. Circuito Monteblanco is situated here, hosting motorsport and corporate events.-External links:* - Sistema de Información...
(Huelva). - LebrijaLebrijaLebrija is a city in the province of Seville, Andalusia , near the left bank of the Guadalquivir river, and on the eastern edge of the marshes known as Las Marismas....
(Seville). - Linares (Jaén).
- Lucena del PuertoLucena del PuertoLucena del Puerto is a town and municipality located in the province of Huelva, Spain. According to the 2005 census, it has a population of 2,283 inhabitants.-External links:* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
(Huelva). - MálagaMálagaMálaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
. - MartosMartosThe city of Martos is located in the province of Jaén in the autonomous community of Andalusia in south-central Spain.It has a population of 24061 inhabitants, making Martos the fifth largest municipality in the province...
(Jaén). - MengíbarMengíbarMengíbar is a city located in the province of Jaén, Spain. According to the 2006 census , the city has a population of 9102 inhabitants....
(Jaén). - MolinilloMolinilloMolinillo may refer to:*Matisia grandifolia, also known as Molinillo, a flowering plant from Ecuador*Molinillo, Spain a town in Salamanca Province, Spain*Molinillo , a traditional Mexican whisk...
(Province of Salamanca) - Montalbán de CórdobaMontalbán de CórdobaMontalbán de Córdoba is a town in the province of Córdoba in Andalusia, southern Spain. The town is 42 km from Córdoba, the capital of the province.- History :*Prehistory: Remnants of pottery were found 4 km to the south of the town...
(Córdoba) - MontillaMontillaMontilla a town and municipality of southern Spain, in the province of Córdoba, 32 miles south of the provincial capital, Córdoba, by the Córdoba-Bobadilla railway. , the town had a population of 23,245. The olive oil of the district is abundant and good, and it is the peculiar flavour of the pale...
(Córdoba), in the Barrio de La Cruz. - MotrilMotrilMotril is a town and municipality on the Mediterranean coast in the province of Granada, Spain.Motril is the second largest town in the province, with a population of 59,163 as of 2008...
(Granada). One of the most prominent of the festivals, rivaling that of Córdoba in fervor and enthusiasm. The festivities are considered of National Touristic Interest and it is considered the city's Feria Chica, that is, its second most important festival. - Muchamiel (Alicante).
- Pinos del Valle (Granada). Celebrated 1, 2, and 3 May, and dedicated to Santo Cristo del Zapato.
- Puente GenilPuente GenilPuente Genil is a village in the Spanish province of Córdoba, situated about 45 miles from the city of Córdoba. It has a population of 30,033 ....
(Córdoba). - PaternaPaternaPaterna is a municipality in the province of Valencia in the Valencian Community, Spain. It is located northeast of the comarca of La Huerta de Valencia, 5 km northwest of Valencia, and on the left bank of the river Turia...
(Valencia), where it is celebrated 1 May. - El Puerto de Santa MaríaEl Puerto de Santa MaríaEl Puerto de Santa María is a municipality located on the banks of the Guadalete River in the province of Cádiz, Spain. , the city has a population of c...
(Cádiz) - TorrelagunaTorrelagunaTorrelaguna is a municipality of the Community of Madrid, Spain.-Main sights:The parish church of La Magdalena is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the community of Madrid....
(Madrid) - Rociana del CondadoRociana del CondadoRociana County is a province located in the town of Huelva, Andalusia, Spain.- Geography :Rociana County belongs to the Judicial District of La Palma del Condado. It is located 37 km from the capital, its surface is 70.7 km2 and has a population of 6863 inhabitants. The province mainly live...
(Huelva), with crosses on Calle La Fuente, Calle Las Huertas, Calle Orozco, Calle Nueva, Calle Cabreros, Calle Sevilla, Calle Candao, Calle Almonte, and Calle Arriba. - SaguntoSaguntoSagunto or Sagunt is an ancient city in Eastern Spain, in the modern fertile comarca of Camp de Morvedre in the province of Valencia. It is located in a hilly site, c. 30 km north of Valencia, close to the Costa del Azahar on the Mediterranean Sea...
(Valencia), where it is celebrated 1 May. - Sama de GradoSama de GradoSama de Grado is one of 28 parishes in the municipality of Grado, within the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain.The population is 164 .-Villages and hamlets:*La Corredoria*Doró...
(Asturias). The origin of this celebration is uncertain, but it may go back as much as 500 years. One of its peculiarities is that instead of a procession centered on a cross, there is a procession of the Virgin of Sorrows dressed in sky blue to celebrate Christ's victory over death. The statue of the Virgin is displayed, successively in three aspects: as the mother of Jesus, as the Dolorosa accompanying Jesus to Calvary, and because May is her month. - Santa Cruz de la PalmaSanta Cruz de La PalmaSanta Cruz de la Palma is located on the eastern part of the island of La Palma in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. Santa Cruz de la Palma is the second largest city and is the capital of the island...
(Santa Cruz de Tenerife). The festival here also celebrates the foundation of the city, 3 May 1493. - Santa Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz de Tenerife is the capital , second-most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the 21st largest city in Spain, with a population of 222,417 in 2009...
. The festival here also celebrates the foundation of the city, 3 May 1494. - Los RealejosLos RealejosLos Realejos is a medium-sized town in Spain, located on the north side of the island of Tenerife and part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife...
(Santa Cruz de Tenerife), in the Barrio de la Cruz Santa. - SevilleSevilleSeville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
. - ÚbedaÚbedaÚbeda is a town in the province of Jaén in Spain's autonomous community of Andalusia, with some 35,600 inhabitants. Both this city and the neighboring city of Baeza benefited from extensive patronage in the early 16th century resulting in the construction of a series of Renaissance style palaces...
(Jaén). - Valencia.
- Valencia de AlcántaraValencia de AlcántaraValencia de Alcántara is a Spanish town near the Portuguese border . It is located in Cáceres province.Nuestra Señora de Rocamador is the most important church...
(Province of Cáceres). - Villa de Mazo (Santa Cruz de Tenerife).
- VillabrágimaVillabrágimaVillabrágima is a municipality located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 1,173 inhabitants....
(Province of Valladolid). - Villalgordo del MarquesadoVillalgordo del MarquesadoVillalgordo del Marquesado is a municipality located in the province of Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 114 inhabitants....
(Province of Cuenca).
Colombia
The DepartmentsDepartments of Colombia
Colombia is an unitary republic formed by thirty-two departments and a Capital District . Each department has a Governor and a Department Assembly , elected by popular vote for a four-year period. The governor cannot be re-elected in consecutive periods...
of Antioquia
Antioquia Department
Antioquia is one of the 32 departments of Colombia, located in the central northwestern part of Colombia with a narrow section that borders the Caribbean Sea. Most of its territory is mountainous with some valleys, much of which is part of the Andes mountain range...
, Caldas
Caldas Department
Caldas is a department of Colombia named after Colombian patriotic figure Francisco José de Caldas. It's part of the Paisa Region and its capital is Manizales. The population of Caldas is 1,030,062, and its area is 7,291 km²...
, Quindío
Quindío Department
Quindío is a department of Colombia. It is in the western central region of the country, crossed by the Andes mountains. Its capital is Armenia. It is famous for the quality of the coffee plantations, colorful architecture, benign weather, variety of hotel accommodations and touristic landmarks...
, and Risaralda
Risaralda Department
Risaralda is a department of Colombia. It is located in the western central region of the country and part of the Paisa Region. Its capital is Pereira.It was divided from the department of Caldas in 1966...
, and the municipality of Funza
Funza
Funza is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca....
, diocese of Facatativá, have a large population of Basque descent, who carry on the tradition of the Día de la Santa Cruz ("Day of the Holy Cross") or Día de los Mil Jesuses ("Day of the Thousand Jesuses") on 3 May. People speak the name of Jesus one thousand times, and believe this will protect them through the coming year.
Ecuador
In EcuadorEcuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, the holiday takes on a more raucous aspect. There are fireworks and people drink canelazo
Canelazo
Canelazo is a hot alcoholic beverage consumed in the Andean highlands of Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru.-In Ecuador and Colombia:It typically consists of aguardiente , sugar or panela, and agua de canela . Canelazo is traditionally made with homemade aguardiente, but bottled alcohol is also used...
. There are feasts and masquerades.
Guatemala
Most of Guatemala celebrates the Fiesta de las Cruces largely in a symbolic and respectful manner, with colorful processions.The construction equipment and materials retailer FFACSA, one of Guatemala's leading businesses, sponsors a large and less traditional celebration in the department
Departments of Guatemala
||Guatemala is divided into 22 departments :#Alta Verapaz#Baja Verapaz#Chimaltenango#Chiquimula#Petén#El Progreso#El Quiché#Escuintla#Guatemala#Huehuetenango#Izabal#Jalapa#Jutiapa#Quetzaltenango#Retalhuleu#Sacatepéquez...
of Chimaltenango
Chimaltenango (department)
Chimaltenango is a department of Guatemala. The capital is Chimaltenango. Located to the east are the departments of Guatemala, home to Guatemala City, and Sacatepéquez, while also bordered by the departments of El Quiché and Baja Verapaz to the north, Escuintla and Suchitepéquez to the south, and...
. That celebration begins at 6 p.m. on 2 May with a celebration of the eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
in honor of the Holy Cross. On 3 May people begin to gather at 3 a.m. and parade through the streets of various municipalities of the department, after which there are various sporting activities (including mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
and a marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
). At noon, roughly 3,000 construction workers gather for lunch at FFACSA's various branch offices (in Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango, also commonly known by its indigenous name, Xelajú , or more commonly, Xela , is the second largest city of Guatemala. It is both the capital of Quetzaltenango Department and the municipal seat of Quetzaltenango municipality....
, Sacatepequez
Sacatepéquez
Sacatepéquez was a city in Guatemala from November 21, 1542 until July 29, 1773 when it was destroyed by the Santa Marta earthquake. Sacatepéquez means grasshill and gave its name to the department of Sacatepéquez....
, Totonicapan
Totonicapán
Totonicapán is a city in Guatemala. It serves as the capital of the department of Totonicapán and as the administrative seat for the surrounding municipality of Totonicapán.- External links :# #...
) and at their central site in Chimaltenango. After lunch there are raffle
Raffle
A raffle is a competition in which people obtain numbered tickets, each ticket having the chance of winning a prize. At a set time, the winners are drawn from a container holding a copy of every number...
s, with prizes such as motorcycles, bicycles, televisions, DVD players, and household appliances. At 4 p.m. there is an open-air concert at the park in the center of Chimaltenango, again with raffles and prizes, and from 7 p.m. there are fireworks competitions.
Mexico
In MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, the celebration of the Holy Cross began at the dawn of the 16th century, when captain Juan de Grijalba gave the name Isla de la Santa Cruz to the island now known as Cozumel
Cozumel
Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. Cozumel is one of the ten municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo...
, Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Quintana Roo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 10 municipalities and its capital city is Chetumal....
. The holiday is celebrated in Mexico mainly by guilds and unions involved in construction. A cross adorned with flowers and paper is placed in a high position on a building in the process of construction. The workers then celebrate with local cuisine and alcoholic beverages such as tequila
Tequila
Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands of the western Mexican state of Jalisco....
, mezcal
Mezcal
Mezcal, or mescal, is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant native to Mexico. The word mezcal comes from Nahuatl metl and ixcalli which mean 'oven cooked agave.'...
, and local beer.
Peru
- JunínJunín, PeruJunín is a town in Central Peru, capital of the province Junín in the region Junín....
(Junín ProvinceJunín ProvinceJunín Province is a province in northwestern Junín Region, in the central highlands of Peru. Its capital is the city of Junín.-Geography:thumb|left|200px|Junín Lake, Perú...
, Junín RegionJunín RegionJunín is a region in the central highlands and westernmost Amazonia of Peru. Its capital is Huancayo.-Geography:The region has a very heterogeneous topography. The western cordillera located near the border with the Lima Region, has snowy and ice covered peaks. On the east, there are high glacier...
) - Cerro de PascoCerro de PascoCerro de Pasco is a city in central Peru. It is the capital of the Pasco region, and an important mining center. It is connected by road and by rail to the city of Lima.- Overview :...
(Pasco ProvincePasco ProvinceThe Pasco Province is one of the three provinces that make up the Pasco Region in Peru.- Boundaries :*North: Huánuco Region*East: Oxapampa Province*South: Junín Region*West: Lima Region, Daniel A...
, Pasco RegionPasco RegionPasco is a region in central Peru. Its capital is Cerro de Pasco.-Political division:The region is divided into 3 provinces , which are composed of 28 districts .-Provinces:...
) - HuancayoHuancayoHuancayo with a rock') is the capital of the Junín Region, in the central highlands of Peru. It is located in Junín Province, of which it is also capital. Situated near the Mantaro Valley at an altitude of 3,271 meters, it has a population of 377,000 and is the fifth most populous city of the...
(Huancayo ProvinceHuancayo ProvinceHuancayo Province is located in Peru and is one of the 9 provinces composing the Junín Region. It borders to the north with the Concepción Province, the east with the Satipo Province, the south with the Huancavelica Region and the west with the Chupaca Province. The province has an approximate...
, Junín Region) - Amazonas RegionAmazonas RegionAmazonas is a department of northern Peru bordered by Ecuador on the north and west, Cajamarca Department on the west, La Libertad Department on the south, and Loreto Department and San Martín Department on the east. Its capital is the city of Chachapoyas....
- Chupaca ProvinceChupaca ProvinceChupaca Province, located in Central Peru, is one of the nine provinces that compose the Junín Region, bordering to the north with the Concepción Province, to the east with the Huancayo Province, to the south with the Huancavelica Region and to the west with the Lima Region...
(Junín Region) - AyacuchoAyacuchoAyacucho is the capital city of Huamanga Province, Ayacucho Region, Peru.Ayacucho is famous for its 33 churches, which represent one for each year of Jesus's life. Ayacucho has large religious celebrations, especially during the Holy Week of Easter...
(Huamanga ProvinceHuamanga Province-Political division:The province covers and is divided into fifteen districts:* Ayacucho * Acocro * Acos Vinchos * Carmen Alto * Chiara * Ocros * Pacaycasa * Quinua...
, Ayacucho RegionAyacucho RegionAyacucho is a region of Peru, located in the south-central Andes of the country. Its capital is the city of Ayacucho. The region was one of the hardest hit by terrorism during the 1980s during the guerrilla war waged by Shining Path known as the internal conflict in Peru.A referendum was held on...
) - PunoPunoPuno is a city in southeastern Peru, located on the shore of Lake Titicaca. It is the capital city of the Puno Region and the Puno Province with a population of approximately 100,000. The city was established in 1668 by viceroy Pedro Antonio Fernández de Castro as capital of the province of...
(Puno ProvincePuno ProvincePuno is a province in the Puno Region, in southeastern Peru. It borders the provinces of Huancane, San Román, El Collao and the Moquegua Region's province of General Sánchez Cerro. Its capital is the city of Puno, which is located at the edge of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake...
, Puno RegionPuno RegionPuno is a region in southeastern Peru. It is bordered by Bolivia on the east, the Madre de Dios Region on the north, the Cusco and Arequipa regions on the west, the Moquegua Region on the southwest, and the Tacna Region on the south...
) - HuancavelicaHuancavelicaHuancavelica is a city in Peru. It is the capital of the Huancavelica region and has a population of approximately 40,000. Indigenous peoples represent a major percentage of the population. It has an approximate altitude of 3,600 meters; the climate is cold and dry between the months of February...
(Huancavelica RegionHuancavelica RegionHuancavelica is a region in Peru. Area: 22,131.47 km². Population: 447,054 . The capital is the city of Huancavelica.It is bordered by Lima Region and Ica in the west, Junín in the north, and Ayacucho in the east....
) - Ica RegionIca RegionIca is a region in Peru. It borders the Pacific Ocean on the west; the Lima Region on the north; the Huancavelica and Ayacucho regions on the east; and the Arequipa Region on the south. Its capital is the city of Ica.- Geography :...
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tacna y Moquegua, comprising the lay administrative regions Tacna RegionTacna RegionTacna is the southernmost region in Peru. Its name originates from the Quechua words taka and na , which would mean "a place to hit". This expression is thought to be related to the Quechua conquest of the Aymara people...
and Moquegua regionMoquegua RegionMoquegua is a small department in southern Peru that extends from the coast to the highlands. The region's name is of Quechua origin and means "quiet place". The regional capital is the city of Moquegua, but the port city of Ilo is more commercially active....
Venezuela
- Choroní, Aragua StateAragua (state)Aragua State is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. It has plains and jungles and Caribbean beaches. The most popular are Cata and Choroni...
has a celebration of great importance and tradition. The entire village and many visitors have a large festival on the CaribbeanCaribbeanThe Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
shore and dance to drums until dawn in honor of the Cruz de Mayo. - GuatireGuatireGuatire is a city in Miranda, Venezuela. In 2006, its population has been estimated at 200,417. Today, Guatire has virtually merged with its neighbor, Guarenas....
, Miranda StateMiranda (state)Miranda State is one of the 23 states into which Venezuela is divided. It is ranked second in population among Venezuelan states, after Zulia State. In June 30, 2010, it had approximately 2,987,968 residents. It also has the greatest Human Development Index in Venezuela, according to the...
has had a cross as its patronPatron saintA patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
since its foundation in the 17th century. The cross is known as Santa Cruz de Pacairigua, after the Pacairigua River, which runs through the city. The sculptured cross resides in the parish church of Guatire, and its festival is 3 May.
El Salvador
In El SalvadorEl Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, the Day of the Cross ("Día de la Cruz" in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
) as it is known, is celebrated on May 3rd. This celebration is not considered an official government or church holiday; it only marks the beginning of the "wet" or rainy season (winter) in El Salvador. It is a tradition that dates back to prehispanic times in which the indigenous people of the region (Pipiles) offered food to give thanks to the Gods and Mother Earth for what they provided. The cross was added when the tradition fused with Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
during the colonial period. The cross is made from wood, decorated with flowers and long chains of colorful tissue paper. Fruits, grains, vegetables, drinks, candies and sometimes money are placed at the foot of the cross as offerings. Visitors to the household are invited to take offerings with them after he/she kneels in front of the cross and recites a thanksgiving prayer.