The crosses of May in Granada

When the 3th of May arrives, Granada celebrates one of its most beloved and popular festivals, la fiesta de las Cruces (or the Feast of the Cross), the celebration lasts several days and allows visitors to discover the city in a different environment, nearby and festive.

The origin of the celebration of the Feast of the Cross in Granada can be traced back to the seventeenth century, although from the nineteenth century its when it becomes more popular.Tradition says that the true cross where Christ was crucified, was found by St. Helena (250-329), Roman Empress and motherof  the Emperor Constantine I the Great. In his search for the relic, he demolished a temple in honor of Venus on MountCalvary, and he dug into it until they found three bloody crosses on 3 May. To find out which was the authentic, was placed on each one of them sick or even dead people, who were healed and resurrected by settling on the true cross.

The people from Granada rises at selected sites, beautiful surroundings, secluded patios or calmed squares, beautiful monuments or shrines to the Cross, decorating them with such taste and grace, which are magnificent works of ephemeral art with very popular flavor.

Along with flowers and potted plants decorating these altars, also placed other objects that have meaning by itself only  known by the people of Granada.

If we see a pair of scissors stuck in an apple (In andalucia the apple is called "pero") and opened at the foot of the cross, its function is to cut the faults or criticisms that may make the cross whith the covering: "Yes, it's nice, but ..." ("but" translate's in Spanish into "Pero", same as the name of the fruit).

The role of the Cacharros de Cobre (or copper pots) is to illuminate and decorate their luster with the monument, and also serve as prayer to ask God to be full of food during every day of the year.

Also listed are the typical famous Fajalauza pottery from Granada, which dates back to the sixteenth century, as well as embroidered fabrics and lace shawls, curtains, bedspreads and famous Alpujarras blankets, made with bright colors.

Around the Crosses people sings, dances and tastes the typical dishes such as beans and cod, with a glass of wine or a beer on the bar that organizers installs next to the crosses.

It is an ideal holiday not only to know every corner of the beautiful city of Granada, which became a patchwork of popular imagination, but to engage in interesting conversations with the friendly people of Granada. Among the most notable neighborhoods, Albaicín and Realejo stands out.