Bonilla de la Sierra

Easter Week in Bonilla de la Sierra (Ávila)

Procession of the Blacks Silence. Words are superfluous when respect dominates the scene. When what is about to what is about to happen surpasses any expression. When the passion for tradition revives the moment of pain. When the procession of the procession of the Blacks in Bonilla de la Sierra. It is Holy Week. At the point of expiring the Holy Thursday, in that minute that will transfer us to the Good Friday, Bonillenses, neighbors of neighboring localities Bonillenses, neighbors of neighboring localities, abulenses in general and tourists hope, one more tourists are waiting, one more year, to live this unique procession in Spain. They will do it inside the impressive collegiate church: San Martín de Tours, which houses one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The darkness, relieved by the lighted candles, increases the magic of the moment. Probably those who have not attended before are expecting a saeta, a procession of saeta, a procession of brotherhoods accompanying the images through the streets of the village. streets of the town. But nothing could be further from the truth. In the sacristy the sound of a shearing shearing announces the beginning of the event. It will be followed by the echo of a kind of bassoon. of a kind of bassoon. Behind them, the rumble of a drum will echo off the walls of the gothic church. the walls of the gothic church. And beyond. Dressed in rigorous black, hence the name received, procession of the Blacks, only three penitents make their appearance, guided only by candlelight in the darkness of the of candlelight in the darkness of the church, announcing the death of Christ. No no crowds, no crowds. The three of them, accompanied by their inseparable instruments instruments, which they will play during the indicated itinerary. But they will not process at the same time. Marking the pace, the first penitent walks the meters that separate him from the street. meters that separate him from the street at a slow pace. Very slow. When he leaves the church, the second church, the second one repeats the action. As does the third. And from that moment on, the the three of them will be the absolute protagonists of the solemn dawn, thirty meters away from each other. They with their thoughts. With the the shearing, the bassoon and the drum resounding in their long or short journey, depending on the weather conditions. depending on the weather conditions. Without changing their pace until their gait takes them back to the starting point. to the starting point. The next day they will repeat the action after the Way of the Cross, announcing the death of Christ, also with their faces covered. of Christ, also with their faces covered. In the light of day, the black, symbol of mourning for the crucifixion, is mourning for the crucifixion of Jesus, is better appreciated, although the solemnity is the same. the same. And so, from the humility of the procession, they will accompany the Holy Sepulchre hours later, next to the Sepulchre hours later, together with the rest of the population and with their faces uncovered. A procession that at night overwhelms and by day enamors.