Easter in Italy is a very important holiday, though it doesn’t work like what we may be used to. A common Italian saying about Easter is “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi” – spend Christmas with your family and Easter with whomever you want. What does Easter in Italy look like? Let’s take a look!
Easter is a moveable holiday – in 2024, Easter Sunday will be on the 31st of March. It’s a very important celebration in Easter, as it’s a highly religious country. Apart from the traditional customs, there are some interesting curiosities that we’ll go over today. We’re starting with:
The Quarantane
(also called Caremna)
In southern Puglia, on Ash Wednesday, large ‘Quarantana’ (puppets representing witch-like old ladies) are hung on the streets and on houses. Puppets are usually equipped with seven chicken feathers, which the residents pluck one by one as they count weeks left until Easter. They may also have other symbols, like garlic hung around their neck to ward off evil. The idea is that the puppets watch over the residents during Lent. On Easter Day, all puppets are gathered and burned to celebrate the coming of spring.
Egg Surprise
Easter eggs with gifts
While some countries celebrate Easter with real eggs, Italy prefers chocolate eggs with a surprise inside! Though it’s obviously a treat for children especially, adults get ones too. Some houses even get an egg a metre high which they then place in a central place in the house. It can only be broken on Easter, with a special little hammer. The chocolate is then collected by the head of the family and enjoyed by everyone throughout the holiday.
Scoppio del Carro in Florence
The exploding cart
Wyświetl ten post na Instagramie.
Florence has its own way of celebrating Christmas too. An oxen pulls a decorated cart right up to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. There, the archbishop sets the cart (without the oxen) on fire via a mechanical rocket shaped like a dove. The dove lights up all the fireworks on the cart and it literally explodes, giving everyone a wonderful display of pyrotechnics. This is followed by a parade in the city centre.
Easter dinner
What do Italians eat for dinner at Easter?
While some countries celebrate Easter with a special breakfast, Italy prefers to do it with dinner. Given that Italians eat very light breakfasts, it’s only sensible. The whole family sits at a table laden with food. Traditionally, Easter includes lamb, Easter cakes (like Colomba di Pasqua), special Easter bread, pasta and, of course, eggs, real or chocolate ones. And, obviously, wine.
La Colomba – sweet dove
Italian Easter dessert
La Colomba is a sweet fluffy yeasty bread shaped like a dove, full of orange zest, sugar and almonds. We usually understand that it is meant to symbolise the peace brought by the disciples of the Risen Christ, hence the shape and naming. On the other hand, there’s also a legend which says that the inhabitants of Pavia, besieged by the Lombards, baked a babka shaped like a dove and gave it to their enemies’ commander as a sign of peace.
La Pasquetta, or a mini-Easter in Italy
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is traditionally spent with friends outdoors. It’s one of the most anticipated days of the year. Everyone who has the opportunity gets as far away from the city as possible, hence why you may see less Italians in cities at that time. Those who stay in the cities besiege the local parks, having picnics, barbecues and relaxing. And all of that’s accompanied by great spring weather too.
A house full of flowers
How do Italians decorate their homes for Easter?
Easter is a time of joy and renewal. This is why many Italians decorate the interiors of their homes with vases of flowers for the holiday. Colourful plants are placed in almost every room. On top of this, a new outfit is a must for Easter dinner.
Other than just reading about it, we highly recommend you see Easter in Italy for yourself! As with Christmas, places like Italy become even more magical during such festivities and we can’t possibly describe it to you with words. You just have to see it.
Buona Pasqua everyone!
See also:
