National Tourist Interest

Holy Week in Burgos was declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest in 2006 by the Regional Government of Castile and León, and later declared of National Tourist Interest in 2013 by the Secretariat of State for Tourism of the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism.

Among the requirements fulfilled for national recognition were: prior regional recognition; origins, history, and antiquity dating back to the Middle Ages; the diversity and originality of its events, closely linked to two UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Cathedral of Burgos and the Way of Saint James; its continuity over time; strong local roots and public participation with numerous brotherhoods and confraternities; promotional efforts and dissemination; its extensive tourism infrastructure; and its inclusiveness.

These criteria sought to balance its Christian tradition and cultural value with its tourism impact and socio-economic development, ensuring that the celebration contributes to the promotion of Burgos at the national level. The recognition is granted indefinitely, provided the conditions that justified it are maintained.

For the preparation of the National Tourist Interest designation project, the City Council of Burgos submitted documentation prepared by tourism and cultural manager José Ignacio Martínez Alfaro, with the collaboration of the Brotherhoods and Confraternities of the Holy Week Board. Various complementary actions and a national promotional campaign were also carried out.

Holy Week in Burgos has already met for years the requirements to be recognized as a Festival of International Tourist Interest and is currently awaiting the development of a promotional campaign, additional complementary actions, and the preparation of the official project and report for its application.