Question about personal safety during Semana Santa
 

I will be staying at the Hotel Zenit in the Tirana quarter of Sevilla during Semana Santa. It's across the Puente de Isabel II just off the Calle San Jacinto. I'm not sure how far it will be from the festivities. I'm assuming that walking from the celebrations to my hotel will not be a problem, even for an older woman walking alone such as myself.

Any comments about this?

Never having been at these festivities, I can only tell you that I imagine there will be PLENTY of company as you walk "home" from what I have seen on the TV! Not to worry.

Pegontheroad, Lucky you to be in Spain during Semana Santa. I was there 10 years ago and that trip remains one of my most memorable. To see the penitents carrying the statues through the streets bedecked with flowers, candles, and incense is a most memorable sight. The week is the high point of Spanish culture. Families and friends (so well dressed) gather from near and far. They worship and socialize day and night. I would not be afraid of walking the streets as long as I took the usual precautions about securing my valuables and camera. Spain, beautiful as it is, is notorious as a venue for purse snatching.
Have a great time and let us know about your trip.

Peg..agree with comments above...one of the highlights of all of our travels was certainly Semana Santa in 1997. My wife had no qualms about going alone to meet me at some prescribed spot. She loves to wander and again, felt no need to cease this. LinCasanova is so very right. You'll never be all alone..the streets are packed all day, all night. You're in for a very special treat, Peg. Have a wondeful time next spring!!

Stu

Thanks for the replies. I'm usually very adventurous, but I don't really know what to expect on the streets late at night. Your replies are reassuring.

I'm always careful in Spain because I know there's a good deal of purse-snatching type crime. I always wear a money belt when I travel, even to places that aren't considered high-crime.

Before I went to Spain the first time I read a lot about all the purse snatchings etc and even found a website that had all manner of scams and scoundrels listed... including, sometimes, pictures of the scoudrels.

I didn't see any purse snatchings or anything like that. But on this website, various people had described an older English lady, who would approach people by saying "do you speak English" and then when they said yes, would go into this tale of woe (lost passport, stranded etc.)

Well in Sevilla during Semana Santa, I saw this same English lady they were writing about on the website! She approached us... asked if we spoke English... and I knew it was the same one because there were pictures. It was actually pretty hilarious though now I wish I had pointed and said "I SAW YOU ON THE INTERNET...."

Have a great time!

I don't think you'll encounter any problems as long as you stay with the crowds, which number in the thousands all night long during Semana Santa. Your only problem will be staying awake while the floats are moving slowly down the streets. It takes forever.

Some of the most important processions during Semana Santa starts and ends in "your" Triana district. The Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza de Triana procession from nearby Calle Pureza on the night to Good Friday is one of the absolute highlights of the celebrations. El Cachorro leaves close to Hotel Zenit on Friday afternoon.

You live 100 metres from Casa Anselma, one of the most popular flamenco/sevillanas places in town. Triana is a cradle of flamenco, and the art-form still gives colour to the district. Every night, the guests at Anselma sings in praise of Virgen del Rocío, and I'm pretty sure the atmosphere will be electric during Semana Santa.

Singing of Salve Rociera in Casa Anselma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvXe3t2TNlc
Anselma herself (Se nos rompió el amor, which she sings from about 5.30 mins, is a favourite. Watch the development!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1atBQq_u0

Lots of excellent restaurants and tapas bars in the area, but I just wanted to point out traditional Casa Cuesta, also some 100 metres from your hotel and close to the river. http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...nt-detail.html

Peg if you would encounter any seedy characters my money would be on you. I'm sure you could take 'em. After all, you've done all that snow shoveling. You go girl!!

This site is great on Semana Santa (and Sevilla in general): http://www.exploreseville.com/events/semana-santa.htm

A bit of planning - which of the 115 processions to see and how to get there without getting stuck in another procession on your way to and from - is recommended.

I've visited Sevilla during Semana Santa as a solo female traveler seven out of last eight years. I've never felt unsafe walking around at night even when it was very late and I was viewing the end of a processional. I do take normal precautions (just as I would at home) and don't carry around multiple credit cards, my passport (only a copy) and alot of euros. You shouldn't have any issues.

Thanks for the input, folks. It is much appreciated.

One of the truly, truly, memorable moments. Antigua, Guatemala is equally moving but totally different. Don't ask me to choose.