The Brotherhood of Our Lady of Solitude was founded in the mid-15th century and that of the Holy Sepulchre in the 17th century. Both merged in the late 19th century to make up the current brotherhood, which has approximately 550 registered members. The two titular sculptures are Our Lady of Mercy and the Holy Sepulchre.
One of the brotherhood’s most representative features is that it is the only brotherhood with a Ladies of Solitude section, who march in the procession wearing the traditional Spanish black ornamental comb. Furthermore, it is the brotherhood with the most Honorary Brothers and, since 1992 is responsible for drafting the Holy Week of Plasencia magazine. The brotherhood has several institutions such as Honorary Senior Brotherhood Members: Bishopric of Plasencia (1985), the City Council of Plasencia (1991), the Provincial Council of Cáceres (1991), Cadena SER (1991) and the Civil Guard (1998).
The Holy Sepulchre is one of the most significant effigies of Plasencia’s Holy Week. It is a 16th century recumbent sculpture by an unknown author. It is made entirely of a very well preserved, polychrome cork. This surprising particularity suggests that the sculpture may be unique. In the 1980s it was cleaned by the restorer of the National Museum of Sculptors of Valladolid, Mr. Mariano Nieto Pérez. The restorer himself was incredibly surprised, as he had never seen or encountered a polychrome cork sculpture. Until not long ago, this Christ was dressed as if he were in laying in a bed, to that end, the Plasencia doctor Dr. Ezequiel Delgado had brought for the Christ a magnificent embroidered satin bedspread from the Philippines. In the18th century, a wig of natural hair was placed on the Christ, obscuring the carved hair that the effigy possessed. The urn where the sculpture rests is Baroque and dates back from the 17th seventeenth century. The gilded parts are 24-carat gold leaf. Created by an unknown artist, who must have been highly skilled, as the interior lighting was provided using candles hidden behind translucent glass which allowed the light in. The smoke and heat escaped through ingenious completely invisible chimneys, as these are entirely carved into some of the beautiful Baroque finials and ornaments which crown the urn. It has been preserved in perfect condition since its sculpture. The electric lighting system was only installed in the second decade of the 20th century. It was also cleaned using disinfestation by the restorer Mr. Mariano Nieto Pérez.
Our Lady of Solitude is a work of the Holy Week of Plasencia, created by the sculptor Luis Salvador Carmona in 1764. It has always been worshipped in the Dominican Church of San Vicente Ferrer. In the 1980s it was refashioned, treated and cleaned in Valladolid by the restorer Mr. Mariano Nieto Pérez.
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
