The country shuts down Thursday and Friday before Easter. Every neighborhood throughout Spain has processions like the ones below commemorating the death and life of Jesus.
Visiting Americans are usually taken aback by the klan-like robes. The centuries-old tradition behind wearing these robes, (taken from the Inquistion) was for the wearers to be anonymous before God with the conical hood streamlining the soul to the heavens as an act of forgiveness for past sins.
My favorite thing about the holiday season are the torrijas, a special bread made only at Easter.
Think crusty cinnamon with a lemon custard filling. Heaven. We got ours from La Duquesita in Malasana.