Lenten Carpets of Antigua Guatemala

Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Alfombra procesional for processional carpet.

One of the aspects I really enjoy of the Lent season in Antigua Guatemala is the processional carpets with their aromas, colours, textures and creative designs. I enjoy seeing entires families and blocks of neighbours participating in the creating of the alfombras as we call them in Spanish. In some cases, the processional carpets can be experience with all the senses.

This picture shows the alfombra that was made right in front of the cathedral building in Antigua Guatemala for the first Sunday of Lent procession from Santa Catalina Bobadilla.

If you want to learn more about the different elements of Lent and the Holy Week, take a photographic tour through the Elements of the Holy Week content already in the archives. Enjoy the vistas!

2 Responses to "Lenten Carpets of Antigua Guatemala"

NYChapin says:
February 17, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Oh man, I can smell the “pino” and all those plants. Rudy, can you share info about joining a neighborhood group or organization where you can help make an Alfromba during Semana Santa. Do you have to pay or just join in? I will be traveling with friends visiting Guate for the first time and I’m sure they would love to get their hands dirty with aserrin. Gracias…
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1. Rudy says:
  February 21, 2016 at 7:49 pm
  Well, NYChapin, I believe that you can just walk up to the people making the carpets and offer your help. Besides that, I know some business make carpets where their customers can participate in the making. The best is to walk during dawn on Good Friday to see the carpets being made before the 4am procession.
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Lenten Carpets of Antigua Guatemala

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