

The tradition of Christian Easter in Caceres comes from the 15th Century when was created the Cristo Negro Brotherhood (1490) and all the legends about this misterous graven statue and the brotherhood itself.
Many people think that the brotherhood really starts in Portugal, at 1319, when 20 knights templar (ran away from Spain as the Order of the Temple was disbanded by Pope Clement in 1312) and some knights from the Order of Alcantara created the religious order called Orden de Cristo.
Nowadays a dozen of brotherhoods go out in processions across the narrow and beautiful medieval streets of Caceres.
The Friday before first Sunday of Easter marks the begining of Easter celebrations in Caceres, when several processions and the opening speech takes place.
From that moment and until Easter Sunday, processions and parades will stroll around the streets of Cáceres.
One of the most important moments is the procession of the 14h Century statue called Cristo Negro (Black Jesus). This procession follows the medieval style, recovered from documents related with the origins of the brotherhood. When it leaves the church in procession, it is surrounded by an absolute silence which is just broken by the sound of a bell. The graven statues makes a the different stages across the medieval streets of Cáceres at Wednesday night.
The Easter celebrations of Caceres have been recently declared as National Tourist Interest celebration. Lots of visitors and tourits travel to Cáceres during this week in order to enjoy this religious and cultural event.