The Brotherhood of the True and Holy Cross is one of the first brotherhoods founded in Spain, with its origins dating back to the 13th century. It currently has approximately 350 members and four religious floats which undertakes its procession through the streets of Plasencia on Holy Thursday.
The Brotherhood of the True and Holy Cross dates back to the founding of the Convent of San Francisco in the 13th century (circa 1215). One of the first things the Franciscans undertook when founding a convent was to create the Brotherhood of the Cross and the branches of the Franciscan tertiaries. Brother Alonso Fernández describes, in 1627, the Brotherhood of the True Cross as having “religious floats of great devotion’ on the night of Holy Thursday.
The Contemplation of the Cross, better known as Cristo de los Cordeles (Christ of the Ropes), is a polychrome wooden carved sculpture created by Mr. Francisco Ruiz Amador between 1720 and 1735. The effigy was already worshipped at that time in the Convent of San Francisco, where it remained until the closure of the latter, and was later worshipped in the Parish Church of San Esteban, where it is currently located. This effigy has been carried in procession for many years with the Brotherhood of the True and Holy Cross, the oldest brotherhood in the city and in Extremadura.
The Cruz del Porvenir (Cross of the Tomorrow) is a children's religious float composed of a vertical cross and an effigy of the Christ Child in front of that cross. This religious float is mounted on wheels as it is carried in procession by the children of the Brotherhood.
Holy Relics of the Lignum Crucis and the Sacred Thorn of the Crown of Our Lord Jesus Christ which belong to the Holy Cathedral Church. Every year, the Brotherhood of the Holy and True Cross attends the Chapterhouse to sign an agreement allowing the Brotherhood to carry the relics in procession on Holy Thursday. This solemn ceremony is one of the most beautiful of those that the True Cross undertakes during Holy Week.
The Presentation of Jesus to the People, popularly known as the Pilate’s Balcony ("Balcón de Pilatos"), is a Tableau sculpture from the Valencian School, the work of Mr. José Jerique in 1910. It is consists of effigies of Jesus Pilate and a centurion and represents the moment of Jesus' condemnation by the people when he is presented on the balcony. Originally, this religious float was acquired by the city's Guild of Farmers and Artisans, which carried it in procession every Holy Week from the Church of Santa Ana. When the Guild disappeared, the religious float was donated to the Brotherhood of the True Cross, which has carried it in procession ever since.
The Tableau of the Holy Veil religious float comprises three effigies: Our Father Jesus of the Fall, the work of Mr. José Viciano from 1894. This effigy belongs to the Trinitarian Josephite Mothers but the Brotherhood of the True Cross has the right to carry same in procession on Holy Thursday. Santa Marcela (the Veronica), by an unknown artist and dating back to the late 19th century. Mary Magdalene, an anonymous dressed figure dating back from the 17th century. The effigy belongs to the Brotherhood of Solitude and the Holy Sepulchre.
Plaza de San Vicente Ferrer
Plaza de San Nicolás
Calle Blanca
Plaza de la Catedral
Calle Santa Clara
Convento de Santa Clara
Calle San Esteban
Plaza Mayor
Calle Zapatería
Plaza de San Vicente Ferrer
