The Brotherhood of Former Legionary Knights will hold an event in Nerja’s Plaza de España, paying tribute to the Spanish flag on Holy Wednesday. After the ceremony in the square, The Legion will march and accompany the processional cortege of the Captive and the Virgin of the Forsaken in Nerja.
The Spanish Legionaries and the former Legionary Knights are two groups linked to the history and tradition of the Spanish Legion, an elite military force of the Spanish Army.
The Spanish Legionaries:
The Spanish Legion was founded in 1920 with the aim of participating in overseas conflicts, especially in Morocco. Its members, known as legionaries, are highly trained and characterized by their discipline, esprit de corps, and camaraderie. The Legion maintains a strong sense of identity and tradition, distinguished by its distinctive uniform and sense of belonging.
Former Legionary Knights:
This term can refer to veterans or retired members of the Legion, or to associations of former legionaries that keep the corps’ traditions and history alive. In some cases, it can also refer to former knights of military orders linked to Spanish military history, although in the context of the Legion, it usually refers to veterans who preserve and pass on their values and traditions.
The Tercios:
The term “Tercios” has a historical significance in Spain, referring to the famous infantry units of the Golden Age, in the 16th and 17th centuries, known for their discipline and effectiveness in battle. Nowadays, in some traditional or cultural contexts, “los Tercios” refers to groups that keep these military traditions alive, and in certain cases, to units or associations that reclaim this historical heritage.
Parades and Holy Week:
In some regions of Spain, especially in towns with a strong religious and military tradition, groups of legionnaires participate in Holy Week processions. The presence of legionnaires in these parades reflects their status as symbols of honor, valor, and military tradition, as well as their role in local or regional history. In some places, these groups participate in processions carrying flags, banners, or performing acts that combine religious devotion with respect for Spain’s military history.
Why do they participate during Holy Week?:
Legionaries participate in Holy Week processions for several reasons:
- To keep military and cultural traditions alive.
- To demonstrate their commitment to history and the values of honor, sacrifice, and devotion.
- Participate in events that symbolize protection and service to the community.
- In some cases, these processions have a historical or commemorative nature, in which the military forces collaborate in honor of their ancestors or in memory of historical events.
Where are they famous?:
Legionary participation in Holy Week is especially well-known in cities such as Seville, Malaga, and other towns in Andalusia, where religious processions have a long tradition and various military and civilian groups participate in an act of respect and devotion.
In short, the Spanish legionaries and their former knights keep alive a tradition of history, honor, and participation in cultural and religious events, being especially prominent in Holy Week processions in various regions of Spain.