Holy Week

This is the pre-eminent holiday celebrated in Cuenca, declared of International Tourist Interest. The processions date back to the 17th century, when the Augustinians and the Trinitarians held the first Cuencan processions, thus founding the first brotherhoods. Today, thirty-two brotherhoods participate, thirteen of which pre-date the 19th century; four began in the 19th century, and fifteen are from the 20th century.



The strong connection between tradition and modernity is on view here; to the primitive Baroque forms, a series of popular artistic contributions have been added. Of all the week’s processions, the most famous is that held at daybreak on Good Friday: the Road to Calvary Procession. Here, the traditional role of music is evident with the yearly intonation of the Miserere by Pradas.



The sculptures carried in the processions are the work of local sculptors like Luis Marco Pérez, Leonardo Martínez Bueno, and Federico Coullaut-Valera Mendigutía, among others. The majority of the processional statues date back to the 1940s. The oldest is the Christ of Ivory, an anonymous work from the 16th century. 
Religious Music Week, famous worldwide, is also celebrated during Holy Week. It starts the Friday before Palm Sunday, and wraps up on Easter Sunday. 
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San Julián Fair and Festivals 
This celebration is held at the end of August. In the Fairgrounds, San Julián Park, and other parts of the city, a variety of activities can be enjoyed: important bullfights, parades with floats, theatre, concerts in San Julián Park and other venues, popular parties and celebrations. There is also a series of sports activities and a full line-up in the auditorium of Cuenca.



San Mateo
This holiday is celebrated on September 21st. The historic reason for its observance is the conquest of the city by Alfonso the 8th in 1177. It is believed that this king rewarded his troops with a great festival.

The party is remounted every September, with its focus on two events. One of these is a solemn ceremony featuring the transfer of the Banner of the Castilian monarch, Alfonso the 8th. On the eve of the holiday, it leaves its usual dwelling in the cathedral to spend the night in the Consistorial Houses. The next day, it returns to where it began (the idea being that the Banner should be housed in the Cathedral, as it was the first building constructed following the conquest).

The other event is a celebration that has been documented for centuries by Royal Decree. This is the popular running of the roped bulls through the Main Square and its surroundings, which takes place several afternoons in a row. The noise and joy of the Peñas Mateas (local clubs that come together during the festivities) is felt above all in the parades, which are held every year with a touch of originality. The celebrations are rounded out with parties, concerts, contests, fireworks, and cultural activities.