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Exploring Easter Traditions in Italy during 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Annual religious observance in Italy marked by solemn processions, age-old customs, and abundant food during Easter, known as 'Pasqua.' Here's a brief guide to the Italian Easter traditions and festivities.

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Exploring Easter Traditions in Italy during 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Unravel the Magic of Italy this EasterGiampietro Vianello

Experience the enchanting mixture of rich history, profound tradition, and mouthwatering fare that Easter holds in Italy. Here's a quick overview of Italy's unique celebration, referred to as 'Pasqua.'

Easter Dates

This year, Easter Sunday (Domenica di Pasqua) falls on April 20th, and Easter Monday (Pasquetta) on April 21st. While both days are national holidays in Italy, Good Friday (Venerdi Santo), on April 18th, is not.

Easter Celebrations

In some Italian regions, especially the south, preparations begin as early as the Sunday before Easter. Religious events typically begin on Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Cities and towns across the country hold Via Crucis ('Way of the Cross') processions on Good Friday, with Rome's being the most famous. However, speculation surrounding the Pope's participation has arisen due to his recovery from pneumonia.

Religious rituals pause on Holy Saturday (Sabato Santo), a day of mourning and repentance, before resuming on Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus' resurrection. Many Italians attend Mass in the morning, followed by a large family lunch. On Easter Monday, known as Pasquetta, most people spend the day outdoors with close friends, often enjoying picnics or barbecues (grigliate).

Traditional Easter Events

Italy is blessed with numerous ancient processions and reenactments of the Passion of Christ:

  • Enna, Sicily: Every Good Friday, around 3,000 men in traditional garb march through the streets carrying statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus[5].
  • Sulmona, Abruzzo: The town is known for its unusual tradition called the 'Running Madonna,' where the statue bearers sprint towards a statue of Jesus during the Easter Sunday procession[5].
  • Noicattaro, Puglia: This town hosts one of the oldest Easter processions in Italy, with participants donning black robes and hoods[5].

Passion of Christ Reenactments

Barile in Basilicata, Romagnano Sesia in Piedmont, and Grassina near Florence are among several towns stage Passion of Christ reenactments[1].

Cities' Easter Traditions

Traditional events in major cities may not be as steeped in history as those in smaller towns, but special events remain, such as Florence's annual scoppio del carro on Easter Sunday[1].

Italian Easter Feast

As with any significant celebration in Italy, the food takes center stage. Easter Sunday lunches are an extended affair, often lasting three to five hours in some regions. Meals usually start with a pasta-based primo, followed by roast lamb as the secondo (main course), and a lavish dessert like the colomba pasquale or pastiera cake[1].

This Easter, immerse yourself in Italy's idyllic mix of spirituality, tradition, and gastronomy. Whether you seek historical pageantry in picturesque towns or the zest of a vibrant city, you will undoubtedly find the perfect Easter moment in Italy.

Sources

  1. Discover Italy: La Bella Vita: Italy's Easter traditions and Italian expressions you need to know
  2. When is Easter 2025 in Italy?
  3. Easter in Italy
  4. Easter in Italy
  5. Italian Easter Traditions
  6. Italy's unique Easter celebration, referred to as 'Pasqua', promises a blend of history, tradition, and mouthwatering Italian fare.
  7. This year, Easter Sunday, or 'Domenica di Pasqua', falls on April 20th, and Easter Monday, or 'Pasquetta', on April 21st.
  8. Good Friday, or 'Venerdi Santo', on April 18th, is not a national holiday in Italy.
  9. In some Italian regions, especially the south, preparations for Easter begin as early as the Sunday before Easter.
  10. On Good Friday, cities and towns across Italy hold 'Via Crucis' processions, with Rome's being the most famous.
  11. Speculation surrounding the Pope's participation in the Good Friday processions has arisen due to his recovery from pneumonia.
  12. On Holy Saturday, or 'Sabato Santo', a day of mourning and repentance, religious rituals pause before resuming on Easter Sunday.
  13. On Easter Monday, known as 'Pasquetta', most Italians spend the day outdoors with friends, often enjoying picnics or barbecues (grigliate).
  14. Traditional Easter events in Italy include the 'Running Madonna' in Sulmona, Abruzzo, and the ancient processions in Noicattaro, Puglia, Enna, Sicily, and several towns like Barile in Basilicata, Romagnano Sesia in Piedmont, and Grassina near Florence.
  15. Whether you seek historical pageantry in picturesque towns or the zest of a vibrant city, Italy offers idyllic Easter moments, symbolising enjoyment, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel.
Italy's Easter, a significant annual event, is marked by religious pageants, age-old customs, and, needless to say, an abundance of food. Here's a brief guide to the country's Easter festivities, known as 'Pasqua'.

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