La Semana Santa de Orihuela : arte, historia y patrimonio cultural

Abstract

Esta tesis doctoral se circunscribe al estudio y análisis de los orígenes de las procesiones de Semana Santa en la ciudad de Orihuela, su inmediata evolución durante los siglos XVII y XVIII, así como los cambios que se producen en la Edad Contemporánea. Su origen tiene lugar en la segunda mitad del siglo XVI en la capilla extramuros de la Catedral, dedicada a Santa María del Loreto, en el contexto de la contrarreforma, y en un período histórico de gran esplendor para la ciudad, en aquel momento cabeza de gobernación, incipiente sede episcopal y principal centro universitario del mediodía valenciano. En el estudio se analiza en primera instancia el sustrato teológico, devocional y cultural -cultos, creencias y prácticas devocionales- que dio origen a las primitivas procesiones de Semana Santa, así como su evolución histórica, los cambios que se producen y las influencias recibidas, significativamente de Murcia, tanto a nivel estético como artístico. La Semana Santa oriolana como patrimonio cultural inmaterial y máxima expresión de la religiosidad popular, tiene asociado un amplio conjunto patrimonial de carácter material: la imaginería, la orfebrería, la arquitectura y la propia ciudad histórica como escenario único donde se desarrollan las expresiones pasionarias que rememoraran año tras año la pasión de Cristo, tal como la concibió el pueblo a lo largo de su historia, fueron los instrumentos de expresión de las creencias individuales y colectivas sobre la vida, la muerte y la esperanza en la Resurrección: un testimonio vivo de las sociedades pasadas. Todo este legado cultural es analizado, estudiado y contextualizado en el marco geográfico de este estudio, como aportación a la Historia del Arte de la ciudad de Orihuela. This doctoral dissertation aims to study and analyse the origins of the Easter Processions in the city of Orihuela, their evolution along the 17th and 18th centuries, and the changes undertaken during the Contemporary Age. This tradition began in the second half of the 16th century in the extramural Cathedral Chapel of St. María del Loreto, during the Counter-Reformation and in a historical moment of great splendour for the city. At that moment, Orihuela was head of governance, emerging Episcopal See and main university centre of the Valencian Noon. In this study the theological, devotional and cultural -cults, beliefs and devotional practices- background has been analysed in first place. Such background led to the origin of the primitive Easter Processions, as well as their historical evolution, the changes undertaken and the received influences, especially from Murcia, from an aesthetic and artistic point of view. Easter in Orihuela, as immaterial cultural heritage and highest expression of popular religiosity, is associated with a wide range of material patrimony: the images, the craftsmanship, the architecture and the historical city as a unique scenery where the passionate expressions take place and, year after year, evoke the Passion of the Christ, in the way it was conceived by its people along their history. All the aforementioned elements of the material patrimony of the city were the means of expression of individual and collective beliefs about life, death and the hope of Resurrection: a living testimony of past societies. Easter in Orihuela, as immaterial cultural heritage and highest expression of popular religiosity, is associated with a wide range of material patrimony: the images, the craftsmanship, the architecture and the historical city as a unique scenery where the passionate expressions take place and, year after year, evoke the Passion of the Christ, in the way it was conceived by its people along their history. All the aforementioned elements of the material patrimony of the city were the means of expression of individual and collective beliefs about life, death and the hope of Resurrection: a living testimony of past societies. This entire cultural heritage is analysed, studied and put into context within the geographical framework of this own study as a contribution to the Art History of the city of Orihuela.