When the month of May arrives, Seville is transformed once again. After the splendor of Holy Week and the April Fair, the city is filled with flowers, music and devotion with one of its most endearing and colorful celebrations: the Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses). A festival with religious roots but deeply rooted in the Sevillian popular culture.
Origins and history of the Crosses of May
The tradition of the Crosses of May has very ancient origins, dating back to the fourth century, when according to Christian tradition, St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, found in Jerusalem the True Cross on which Jesus Christ died. Since then, May 3 was established as the Day of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, spreading this devotion throughout the Christian world.
In Spain, the custom of raising crosses adorned with flowers and celebrating them with music and popular festivities began to take shape during the Middle Ages, and became firmly established in Andalusia from the 17th century. In Seville, this tradition merged with the joyful, fraternal and communitarian character of the city, giving rise to a celebration with its own stamp.
What do the May Crosses symbolize?
Beyond the colorful and festive atmosphere, the cross in the center of each altar represents the symbol par excellence of Christianity: the victory of life over death, faith, sacrifice and hope. In Seville, this symbol is dressed with flowers and art, bringing it closer to the people in a warm and close way.
It has also become a symbol of neighborhood unity and living culture, where the streets are filled with life and the ties between generations are strengthened through tradition.
What are the Cruces de Mayo today?
May Crosses are ephemeral altars that are erected in streets, squares, patios or brotherhood houses. The central element is, as the name suggests, a large cross, usually decorated with red flowers or carnations, and accompanied by manila shawls, Andalusian pottery, flowerpots, lanterns and all kinds of typical ornaments.
Although born of Christian tradition, in Seville this celebration has taken on a very special form, mixing religious fervor with art, music and community life.
When and where are they celebrated?
The epicenter of the celebration is the month of May, especially around the 3rd. Throughout the month, different areas of the city host their own Crosses, especially on weekends. There is no single date: each neighborhood and brotherhood organizes its Cross according to its own calendar.
You can find May Crosses in many parts of the city, such as:
- Neighborhoods with great tradition as Triana, San Julian, San Bernardo, the Macarena or the Polygon of San Pablo.
- Squares and streets, where temporary structures decorated with care and creativity are installed.
- Patios of neighbors and houses of brotherhood, which open their doors to share their Cross with the public.
Why are they celebrated?
The May Crosses have several intertwined meanings:
- Religious devotion: it is a tribute to the Holy Cross, symbol of Christianity.
- Spring celebration: it is a joyful and festive way to welcome the good weather.
- Brotherhood identity: many brotherhoods organize Crosses as part of their calendar of events, or to involve young people in the life of the brotherhood.
- Neighborhood and social life: it is an opportunity for neighborhoods to meet, celebrate and share in a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
Curiosities that perhaps you did not know
- Children’s processions: in many Cruces small processions are organized where children take out miniature “pasos”, dressed as nazarenos, costaleros or capataces. It is a precious way of transmitting the cofrade tradition to the new generations.
- Contests: some City Hall districts and brotherhoods organize contests to reward the best decorated crosses.
- Casetas and bars: in the purest fair style, many Cruces set up bars with tapas and drinks, where the festive atmosphere is guaranteed. The proceeds are usually donated to social works or to the maintenance of the brotherhood itself.
- Decoration with Sevillian soul: no detail is missing. From the well-arranged shawl to the smallest flowerpot, everything contributes to create a special atmosphere.
- A symbol of identity: for many neighborhoods, their May Cross is a declaration of neighborhood pride, a space where art, faith and culture go hand in hand.
A tradition that never goes out of fashion
The May Crosses in Seville are much more than a party: they are a way of understanding life, of celebrating the beauty of everyday life and of keeping our roots alive. Each cross that is erected is a work of popular art, an act of faith and an invitation to enjoy the Sevillian soul at its best.
If you are in Seville during the month of May, do not miss this jewel of our culture. Take a stroll through the neighborhoods, listen to a live sevillana, toast with a glass of wine in an improvised bar and let yourself be enveloped by the scent of flowers, the devotion of the people and the heartbeat of spring.
With all this the brotherhood of El Rocío of Seville celebrates its traditional May Cross from the Patio de los Naranjos del Salvador. In Our Past View Sevilla route, we tell you about the history of this church and its cultures!
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