Spain is a country with complete freedom of worship but Catholicism continues to exercise a powerful influence on Spanish society.
Easter starts on Palms Sunday and it is celebrated in every corner of Spain, and each different place does so in its own special way. For centuries these festivities have been deeply-rooted in popular imagination and inextricably linked with art. This can be seen, for example,
in the many images of Christ and the Virgin Mary, masterfully sculpted with incredible realism by the likes of Juan de Juni, Pedro Berruguete and Gil de Siloé.
These exceptional works of Spanish
religious art (many of which are more than 500 years old) are paraded through the streets to be devoutly and respectfully admired by thousands of people.
Gastronomy
Easter marks the end of Lent for Christians, a period of abstinence where meat has been denied. These days most recurrent food which have come down to us as a sweet tradition, were eggs and breads. In many places of Spain we eat "Torrijas", similar to french toast with syrup or sugar and sometimes with wine too.
In Catalonia and other places is very popular eating "Mona de Pascua".
