Over 35,000 people gather to witness the Judea in Purísima del Rincón
For four days, the streets of Purísima del Rincón transform into a living stage where faith, tradition, and identity are strongly expressed through La Judea, one of the most representative cultural manifestations of Holy Week in Guanajuato, which in 2026 celebrates 153 years of history.
This tradition, which originated in 1873, was promoted and established by Hermenegildo Bustos, an artist and portraitist from Guanajuato whose work and legacy remain present in this representation that mixes the religious with the popular. Bustos, known for documenting the daily life of his community through art, shaped an expression that is now a symbol of identity for the municipality and which the Governor of the People, Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo, promotes with the state's tourism strategy.
Throughout Holy Week, hundreds of residents actively participate in the reenactment of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, focusing the main event on the death of Judas Iscariot, who sold his master for a few coins. In this reenactment, characterized by the use of handcrafted masks carved from colorín wood, unique pieces that can reach values exceeding 5,000 pesos due to their complexity, detail, and cultural value.
These masks, crafted by local hands, represent characters like Judas, devils, and symbolic figures that combine social commentary, tradition, and creativity.
Judea is a collective experience where entire families, musicians, artisans, and community actors bring to life a ritual that has been passed down from generation to generation, strengthening the population's sense of belonging and pride.
The activities took place from April 1st to 4th, with key moments such as the apprehension, the tribute to Hermenegildo Bustos, the crucifixion, and the traditional hanging of Judas, which gather visitors and locals in different parts of the municipality, and this year from different states and countries, as a result of the tourism promotion carried out by the Secretary of Tourism and Identity, María Guadalupe Robles León.
The Judea is part of the state's most important religious calendar and is integrated into Guanajuato's extensive Holy Week celebrations. Its relevance transcends the cultural, becoming a tourist attraction that generates the flow of national and international visitors, directly benefiting the local economy.
Furthermore, this celebration reinforces Guanajuato's position as a destination where identity is not only preserved but is lived and shared.
The results of the visits are a reflection of a community that has managed to preserve its history and identity. Judea represents the roots, creativity, and cultural strength of Purísima del Rincón, consolidating itself as one of the most authentic expressions of religious tourism in Mexico.
Guanajuato opens new roads to the world through its traditions, where culture, faith, and people with their identity are the heart of every experience.
