being American, i can't help but find that outfit mega-creepy. good informal photo of an important custom, though. i like how it feels like a "behind the scenes" shot.

I can understand that Americans might not like this a lot but look how bored the bystanders appear. Well captured Alan.

The no entry sign has me searching for social or religious symbolism!

belle photo!!

Fantastic photo.

Excellent shot, fantastic details, but I must admit, I do not like these guys with their stange hoods.

They are Spanish Priests. I am not sure exactly which order. But they were menitioned in the movie Devinchie code. sorry for the type-os but in a bit of a rush. I hope this helped Nice shot by the way

I know that outfit would "fly" here! Good heavens...at least I know where we can send the similar ones confiscated here. Interesting shot, well done.

Excellant capture of a slice of Spanish life Alan

Fantastic photo!

Excellent shot!

Being born in the deep south, (Louisiana), I found this image disturbing too. You had me curious, so I did a little digging and came up with this site: http://www.valenciavalencia.com/culture-guide/semana-santa/ku-klux-klan-semana-santa-spain.htm Which says it is of the "Nazareno tradition of Roman Catholic", that the practice is centuries old, doesn't carry any message and was chosen for simply for the visual effect. Looking up Nazareno, I found on wikipedia this info: "A number of people (sometimes barefoot) dressed in a habit and with the distinctive pointed hood (capirote), and holding long wax candles (only lit by night), marching in silence. These are the nazarenos. Colours, forms and details of the habit are distinctive for each brotherhood - and sometimes for different locations within the procession." In the picture next to this writing, the habit and capirote were blue. I also found these paragraphs in wikipedia about capirotes: "Historically, the capirote was a cardboard cone that flagellants in Spain would use. It was also used during capital punishment in Spain, and also during an Inquisition, where the condemned person would be forced to wear one and be put under public humiliation. It is also the uniform of some brotherhoods during Easter - in this instance, the outer fabric descends past the shoulders, covering the face and the neck while leaving only a pair of holes for the eyes, and is often seen during Holy Week celebrations in Spain." Excellent image! It must have been very crowded. I see several people holding on to their companions so as not to be separated from each other. Great shot!