Cuenca's Biggest Holy Week Procession Set for March 31 — 17 Floats, Record Turnout Expected
Chip Moreno
The Main Event
We published our complete Semana Santa planning guide yesterday, but now we have the specific details on the week's biggest single event.
The Archdiocese of Cuenca has confirmed that the Procesión de los Pasos — the solemn procession of religious floats depicting scenes from Christ's Passion — will take place on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:00 PM.
This year features 17 processional images (pasos), up from 14 in 2025 and just 8 when the tradition was revived in 2023. The procession is growing every year, and this edition promises to be the largest yet.
The Route
The procession follows a route through the heart of Cuenca's historic center:
- Starts: Parque de la República (República Park)
- Continues: Up Bolívar Street toward the historic center
- Arrives: At the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción (New Cathedral) on Parque Calderón
- Descends: Via Sucre Street
- Ends: Images are returned to their home churches
The route takes you through some of Cuenca's most beautiful colonial streets, with the Cathedral's famous blue domes as the backdrop.
What Are the "Pasos"?
The pasos are patrimonial religious statues and scenes — ornate, often centuries-old depictions of moments from Christ's Passion, death, and resurrection. Each one is placed on a specially built platform and carried or wheeled through the streets by volunteers from Cuenca's parishes.
Think of them as moving art installations — elaborately dressed figures, surrounded by flowers and candles, processing through candlelit colonial streets. It's visually stunning regardless of your religious background.
Who's Participating
The event is coordinated by the Archdiocese with 12 parishes from the Immaculate Conception Vicarage, plus:
- Parishes of Baños and Santa Rosa (bringing their own historic images)
- Carmelite Monastery of the Assumption
- Convent of the Immaculate Conception
- Lay faithful communities from across the city
Father Joffre Astudillo confirmed that the images "will be placed on special platforms and transported with strict security measures." These are irreplaceable cultural artifacts — some dating back centuries.
A Growing Tradition
The Procesión de los Pasos was revived in 2023 after years of dormancy. Here's how it's grown:
| Year | Floats | Estimated Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 (revival) | 8 | ~10,000 |
| 2024 | 11 | Growing |
| 2025 | 14 | Growing |
| 2026 | 17 | Expected record |
The rapid growth suggests this is becoming one of Cuenca's signature cultural events — not just a religious observance, but a community spectacle that draws believers and spectators alike.
Practical Tips
- Arrive by 5:00 PM to find a viewing spot along the route — Bolívar Street and the area around Parque Calderón will be the most crowded
- Bring a jacket — by 6 PM in late March, temperatures drop into the mid-50s°F (12-14°C)
- Photography is welcome but be respectful — this is a religious observance, not a parade. No flash photography near the statues
- No parking in El Centro — plan on walking or taking a taxi. Traffic will be restricted along the route
- The procession typically lasts 2-3 hours from start to finish
Related Events
The Procesión de los Pasos on March 31 kicks off the most intense stretch of Semana Santa. Here's what follows:
- April 2 (Holy Thursday): Church visitations — visit 7 churches
- April 3 (Good Friday): The candlelit Via Crucis procession through the Centro Histórico — Cuenca's most emotional event of the year
- April 5 (Easter Sunday): Easter Mass at the New Cathedral
For full details on all Holy Week events, accommodations, and practical planning, read our complete Semana Santa guide.
Source: El Mercurio
