Rolling out the carpet for Semana Santa, La Merced church, Antigua, Guatemala

Often recognised as the largest Easter celebration on the planet, Antigua comes alive during its annual Semana Santa Holy Week. The weeklong, festival-like celebration commemorates the passion, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ through sombre processional marches and uniquely decorated floats. Sand and coloured sawdust are used for alfombras (Arabic for ‘carpet’), painstakingly designed in exquisite patterns for the religious processions; a tradition first brought by Spanish missionaries from Seville, Andalucia. Modern travellers to Guatemala’s Central Highlands should ensure that they’re in the city for Easter Sunday, when a spectacular fireworks display lights up the town – ending the most important week of celebrations in Antigua’s calendar.

© Oliver Wintzen/alamy