We spent Good Friday watching the little township of Flores set up for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets of Flores, in Northern Guatemala. Flores is a gorgeous little island town on Lake Petén Itzá. Every year on Good Friday the residents of Flores decorate the streets with elaborate, coloured “carpets”, made from sawdust. When we arrived in Flores around noon, the locals were just starting to prepare the carpets and when we returned around 5pm to marvel at their handiwork, many were still working on their little masterpieces. Each of the carpets were different. Although coloured sawdust appeared to be the primary material, flowers, fruit and vegetables were also incorporated into the designs. A lot of the locals used stencils, while others were more free form.
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Beautiful sawdust carpets for Semana Santa (Easter), Flores, Guatemala
Bags of coloured sawdust for making the carpets, Flores, Guatemala
A particularly beautiful sawdust carpet, Flores, Guatemala
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Beautiful sawdust carpets for Semana Santa (Easter), Flores, Guatemala
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Beautiful sawdust carpets for Semana Santa (Easter), Flores, Guatemala
Beautiful sawdust carpets for Semana Santa (Easter), Flores, Guatemala
My favourite sawdust carpet in Flores, Guatemala
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Beautiful sawdust carpets for Semana Santa (Easter), Flores, Guatemala
Another spectacular sawdust carpet, incorporating real flowers, fruit and vegetables!
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Beautiful sawdust carpets for Semana Santa (Easter), Flores, Guatemala
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Residents of Flores (Guatemala) getting ready for the Semana Santa (Easter) procession through the streets
Beautiful sawdust carpets for Semana Santa (Easter), Flores Guatemala
At around 6pm, just before sunset, the procession started in front of the Church of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios. Everyone was dressed up and excited for the procession to start. In total, there were five religious floats which groups of men and women carried through the streets, walking over (and crushing!) the beautiful carpets that they had spent hours creating during the afternoon. People lined the streets to watch, while others joined in the procession. Music filled the air and there was a wonderful, festive atmosphere! The procession wound its way once around the city and then back to the Church.
The start of the Semana Santa (Easter) procession outside of Church of Nuestra Senora de Los Remedios, Flores, Guatemala
The first float in the procession, Flores, Guatemala
The first float in the procession, Flores, Guatemala
Aerial view of the sawdust flower carpets, Flores, Guatemala
The amazing sunset in Flores, Guatemala
Enjoying a couple of mojitos at the Sky Bar, Flores, Guatemala
Watching the sunset from the Sky Bar, Flores, Guatemala
Aerial view of the Semana Santa (Easter) procession in Flores, Guatemala
Aerial view of the Semana Santa (Easter) procession in Flores, Guatemala
Aerial view of the Semana Santa (Easter) procession in Flores, Guatemala
Watching the Semana Santa (Easter) procession in Flores, Guatemala
Watching the Semana Santa (Easter) procession in Flores, Guatemala
The aftermath of the Semana Santa (Easter) procession in Flores, Guatemala
In total it took about 1.5-2 hours. We took some time out in the middle to watch the sunset from the Sky Bar, which turned out to be a fabulous place from which to admire the procession from above. We then raced on ahead to see the conclusion of the procession before the steps of the Church.
We were so glad that we managed to see the procession. Antigua, Guatemala is said to have one of the biggest Semana Santa processions, which must be amazing to see. But, I really enjoyed the intimacy of the Flores Semana Santa procession.
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