Hermandad de la Macarena restores historical ‘manto de los Ángeles’

The Hermandad de la Macarena has reintroduced the historical ‘manto de los Ángeles’ (Mantle of the Angels) for the vestments of María Santísima de la Esperanza. The piece, dated between 1936 and 1942, holds significant artistic and historical value, having been largely out of use for decades.

The mantle’s history is linked to the 1936 fire at the San Gil church, which caused the Brotherhood to lose most of its chamber mantles. The piece was documented in a 1942 photograph at the Church of the Anunciación and later fell into disuse following the Brotherhood's move to its current Basilica in 1949.

Notable features include an extraordinary front embroidery depicting two angels, inspired by the design of the historical ‘manto de malla’ created by Juan Manuel Rodríguez Ojeda between 1899 and 1900. The garment also incorporates embroidery and elements from various bullfighter dresses, alongside gold mesh and lace worked directly onto velvet. Following a restoration by José Antonio Grande de León in 2024, which restored the velvet on the reverse side, the mantle has been returned to active use.