Carlos Guisasola Madrid

Madrid

Updated Thursday, March 28, 2024-00:02

They say that during these days of Holy Week the computers of the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) are smoking. That the technicians have to update the weather forecasts more frequently than usual. Your work multiplies during these dates. The plans of thousands of people depend on the surgical precision of their prognoses. Not only those who plan to go on vacation are entrusted to them, but, above all, thousands of members of religious brotherhoods throughout Spain. Some are in Madrid, where the sky, like in so many other parts of the country, has been frowning for days. And, what's worse, far from having the intention of giving a smile, it threatens to make you even more angry, if possible. Yesterday, both the members of the procession of the Cristo de los Gitanos and that of the Three Falls, with a tour through the historical bowels of the capital's street, kept their hearts heavy until the last moment. To their happiness, they were able to fulfill their ritual.

It is not just another Holy Week for Madrid. For the first time in its history, it is planned that all the images from the city center will process through the renovated Puerta del Sol. They will step on that kilometer zero at some point during their journey. They will do so (if the sky allows) up to

13 steps

, a circumstance that has caused the price of rentals in the area to multiply to average around

1,200 euros per month

, regardless of location or size. But that is another story...

To know more

Mobility.

Seven pedestrian 'islands' to enjoy the Holy Week processions in Madrid

  • Editor: RICARDO PINO Madrid

Seven pedestrian 'islands' to enjoy the Holy Week processions in Madrid

We talk about the weather, always so feared in these days of religious tradition. And, also, the possible alternatives in case the sky shatters over the capital at that time when the brotherhoods begin their route. «If it rains, it is very difficult to draw an alternative route that allows it to be done safely. However, we are in contact with all the brotherhoods to be able to reduce the routes. Beyond that, it is difficult to have an alternative, since if it rained the entire downtown area of ​​the city would be affected," admitted yesterday the vice mayor,

Inma Sanz , who was finally able to see the

Cristo de los Gitanos

emerge on Carmen Street.

, even if it was a reduced route.

Many are crossing their fingers these days, and others keep pressing F5 on the AEMET page, but the truth is that there is a kind of municipal protocol when the weather is so damn bad. If the route of the processions is reduced due to weather conditions, as happened yesterday, the Municipal Police must be notified. And it has to be done, logically, as far in advance as possible so that the head of the affected procession device can reorganize his troops along the new itinerary. The agents are organized to guarantee security throughout the route and, therefore, if there were any modifications to it, they would have to change their positions to cover the new itinerary. Although the reorganization could be done almost on the fly, it is ideal to do it with a little leeway.

1,300 police officers and 200 health workers

The security and emergency device planned for Easter, regardless of the weather, is more than

1,300 municipal police officers

and

200 Samur-Civil Protection health workers

. A police device focused primarily on the city center, which will be reinforced with drone teams and the Cavalry Squadron. Apart from ensuring road safety, they also control noise pollution and hospitality and nightlife venues.

Up to seven armored areas for pedestrians have been set up on the Madrid street, all of them in the vicinity of the parish areas, to be able to enjoy the processions. And all of them are controlled by municipal security agents. This year, in addition, the Municipal Police Corps of Madrid will process for the first time, together with their colleagues from the National Police Corps and the Civil Guard, in the procession of the Christ of Medinaceli, which, if the weather does not prevent it, will be on the afternoon of Good Friday, starting at 7:00 p.m., with departure and arrival from the Basilica of Jesús de Medinaceli.

A Holy Week procession in Madrid.Borja Sanchez-TrilloEFE

As for Samur-PC, it will have a fixed device in Puerta del Sol, the epicenter of the celebration, in addition to

18 ambulances

,

20 prevention and reaction units (UPR)

,

40 pairs of Civil Protection personnel

on foot or four pairs on motorcycle. Hence, any change due to weather issues is not such a simple task. In any case, communication between the City Council and the brotherhoods is constant on these dates.

«I thank the brotherhoods for their coordination task so that this Holy Week is a little more special for that passage through Puerta del Sol. I hope they can go out... The brotherhoods put a lot of love, but we are all looking at the sky because the forecasts do not "They are completely good," Inma Sanz concluded yesterday, raising her gaze for the last time. Sighing that heaven can (and wants) to wait.