It has often been noted that Spanish religion and religious art in particular throw a stress on the suffering of Christ. This is not, as has sometimes been supposed, out of an innate sadism or brutality, but stems more from the lberian admiration for courage and the ability to withstand pain and suffering in support of one’s principles. This is the quality desired by the Spanish participating in the Holy Week processions all over Spain, but especially in Sevilla. During these processions, many of the participants don peaked, black hats as the sign of a penitent and undergo the punishment of a barefoot walk, carrying a burden of some kind as a public demonstration of courage in faith.
Spain is also the producer of a vast mystic tradition including such known promulgators as San Juan de la Cruz and Santa Teresa, two of the most popular saints in Spain.
