Easter Week is known as 'Semana Santa' and is celebrated with great fervour, with processions through the streets, religious statues carried shoulder high, and thousands of devotees, often carrying great crosses. The processions take place across the country, notably in the town of Banos, south of Quito, but are perhaps most conveniently seen in and around the Spanish Colonial churches and squares of the capital's historic centre. The events begin on Palm Sunday, when the traditional 'ramas' (palm fronds - which Ecuador possesses in abundance) are much in evidence. A delicious traditional stew known as 'Fanesca' is typically eaten throughout the Easter week. Church services and masses take place on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Saturday is a national holiday, leading to the main event on Easter Sunday.

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