Colorful Palm Sunday in Ronda

Ronda/The forecasts of rain had raised concerns that Palm Sunday in Ronda could turn into a day of tears and sadness, though the rain arrived at the predicted times and Pollinica, Prendimiento, and Gitanos were able to carry out their penance stations. However, not without doubts and even a delay of 30 minutes in the case of Prendimiento's departure from the Church of San Cristóbal.

The first to procession through the streets of Ronda was the brotherhood of Pollinica, which was accompanied by a large crowd around the San Antonio de Padua church in the Dehesa neighborhood. From the beginning, it was noticeable that the bearers set a faster pace than usual to try to avoid the warnings about the possibility of rain right at the time set for their arrival. Ultimately, palms and olives filled the city of Tajo with popular fervor without incidents.

/ Javier Flores

It was in the San Cristóbal neighborhood where the moments of greatest uncertainty were experienced. There, the governing board of the Prendimiento brotherhood chose to delay their departure by half an hour due to the rain forecasts during the route. Finally, after a new meeting, they decided to carry out the penance station. However, they first asked the brothers to remain calm in case the rain arrived. This decision was met with applause from the brothers inside the church.

On the street, thousands of people awaited the exit of Prendi, as it is popularly known. The first sounds of music unleashed a flood of cheers and applause as it passed. Similarly, with the arrival of the Virgin of the Rosary, who was greeted with a shower of petals at the start of her path.

A crowd gathered to see the departure of Prendimiento. / Javier Flores

Meanwhile, in the old town, the scent of rosemary filled the city. The lit braziers are the prelude to the departure of the Gitanos. A brotherhood that processes from the collegiate church of Santa María and faces one of the most complex exits of Ronda's Holy Week. Indeed, the floats have to be detached from their fronts and sides, revealing the work of the bearers.