The calendar will begin with the Cofrade Fair of Spain and Latin America, which will take place from October 3 to 5 at the Córdoba Exhibition, Trade and Convention Center (CEFC). During these days, around 90 exhibitors from different regions and countries will gather, including cofrade companies, artisans, sacred art, and expressions of popular devotion. This year, the fair will feature a very special guest: the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT), attending in representation of Guatemala as the guest country. The Guatemalan participation symbolizes an important step forward in the internationalization of Córdoba’s Cofrade institution, strengthening ties with Latin America and reinforcing the transatlantic character of the event.
Throughout the month, Córdoba will also host exhibitions, conferences, concerts —including processional marches—, cultural routes, painting competitions for young people, theatrical activities, and inclusive proposals, all aimed at bringing Holy Week closer to all audiences. The program is designed to highlight Córdoba’s historical, artistic, religious, and spiritual heritage and, at the same time, to boost the local economy and religious tourism.
The central event will be the Grand Via Crucis on October 11, 2025, commemorating the 600th anniversary of the first recitation of the Via Crucis in the West, attributed to Blessed Álvaro de Córdoba. A total of 35 brotherhoods from the city and province will take part, and the procession will be presided over by the Most Holy Christ of San Álvaro. The official route will connect Amador de los Ríos with the Cathedral, with processions starting from Fleming and La Ribera. Around 7,000 seats have been made available, of which more than 4,000 have already been sold, reflecting the great anticipation for the event.
Institutional support includes the Diocese of Córdoba, the Cathedral Chapter of Córdoba, the Provincial Council and City Council of Córdoba, the Regional Government of Andalusia, various foundations (La Caixa, Caja Rural del Sur, CAJASOL), and private companies such as Grupo UMAS and Tressis, as well as the international support of INGUAT of Guatemala. Thanks to this collective effort, October Cofrade will not only commemorate Córdoba’s devotional history, but also strengthen its presence in Spain and Latin America, positioning the city as a world epicenter of religious and cofrade tourism. All of this is part of the Córdoba Capital Cofrade strategy, created by the company Kapikúa. This initiative involves hospitality and catering sectors alongside public administrations in the Cofrade Tourism Roundtable. It also provides for the permanent dissemination of the schedule of religious services and events led by brotherhoods and musical groups, which is permanently available at cordobacapitalcofrade.com and hermandadesdecordoba.es .
It is worth highlighting that the Association of Brotherhoods and Confraternities of Córdoba has become the first among the World Heritage Cities to join the World Religious Tourism Network (WRTN). This step strengthens its leadership in religious tourism and its commitment to promoting the international presence of Córdoba’s Holy Week.
Its commitment and dedication to using this international networking platform have been decisive in enabling Guatemala to participate as the guest country in this edition, represented by the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT). This collaboration not only strengthens the cultural and spiritual ties between Córdoba and Latin America, but also enhances the global character of October Cofrade, aligning it with the trends of cooperation and international promotion fostered by the World Religious Tourism Network.
