Castelsardo – Ph. Luigi Barba/flickr
The Easter Holiday represents a time of year when, in our country, there is an atmosphere of celebration and renewal. Many people take advantage of this break to organize an out-of-town trip to discover some of Italy’s most picturesque villages and territories. If you are looking for ideas on where to go at Easter, you will be faced with a wide choice of sacred places, unspoiled nature, centuries-old traditions and food and wine delights.
Keepers of tradition and beauty
Italian villages are custodians of traditions and stories that find their greatest expression during the Easter holidays. Some of these villages offer the opportunity to combine guided tours of churches and historical monuments with participation in historical re-enactments and religious processions that have been handed down from generation to generation.
From North to South, each region presents peculiar Easter rituals and events, from the ancient Holy Week rites of Sicilia and Apulia to the sharing moments typical of the mountain villages of Trentino and Lombardia. Walking through the narrow streets of these villages is an experience that allows one to take a dip into the past and experience Easter in an authentic way that is deeply rooted in the territory.
Processione delle Barette a Messina – Ph. Alessandro Grussu/flickr
Between sacred and tradition
A time of intense spirituality and renewed interest in ancient traditions that have been perpetuated over the centuries, each village jealously preserves its own Easter rituals, rooted in a history that becomes a spectacle and occasions for deep reflection for visitors.
Holy Week in Ceriana, Liguria, is an emblematic example of how the Easter tradition becomes an event that can encapsulate faith, culture and community in a unique moment. Here, time seems to slow down to make room for one of the most heartfelt celebrations, where ancient chants in the local language, processions and historical re-enactments follow one another in a harmonious interweaving of light and shadow, silence and melodies, arousing intense emotions.
At the same time, one cannot help but talk about Easter in Castelsardo, Sardinia, where the Lu Linissanti procession illuminates the streets of this ancient village with mysticism and suggestion. The night becomes an open-air stage where torches illuminate the path of the brothers carrying the sacred Mysteries in silence broken only by devotional songs. A rite that, as it unfolds amid lights and dimness, touches the soul and leaves an indelible memory.
Settimana Santa di Ceriana – Ph. lamialiguria.it
At the same time, Latium presents a mosaic of Easter rituals of considerable emotional impact, including sacred representations and table settings. From Rome, with the solemn Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum presided over by the Pope, to small towns like Cerveteri, where the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ is tinged with theatricality and pride in the legacy received.
Undoubtedly, these Easter rites are not only manifestations of faith, but also valuable safeguards of a common cultural heritage that is renewed every year, showing the inexhaustible richness of the Italian spirit and its ability to keep alive the most authentic traditions.
Food and wine tours: A journey into traditional Easter flavors
Easter is not limited to religious celebration; it is also an exploration of authentic flavors that characterize the table on this holiday. Food and wine tours thus become an ideal route for those who wish to immerse themselves in Italian culinary traditions and discover recipes handed down from generation to generation.
In Tuscany, for example, we find La Pasimata della Garfagnana, an Easter cake similar to a panettone, thick with raisins and flavored with anise seeds. It is a true celebration of spring flavors, a dessert rich in history and taste that intoxicates the tables of Lucca. Breathing the air of the Tuscan hills, the Easter banquet is enriched by this ancient dish whose legendary and mouth-watering recipe is just waiting to be discovered by each of you.
Coming from the deep South, specifically Calabria, we come across another confectionary gem: the Cuzzupa, a doughnut embellished with whole eggs symbolizing rebirth and prosperity. Finely decorated and varied in shape, Cuzzupa retains within it all the warmth and passion of a sunny and welcoming land. Baked in homes and bakeries, it has accompanied moments of sharing and celebration for centuries.
Cuzzupe – Ph. Ricette Bimby/flickr
Last but not least, and certainly worthy of attention is the Pastizz di Rotondella, typical of Basilicata, a kind of rustic pie that is prepared with simple ingredients: flour, eggs and cheese. Its shape and texture give this dish a starring role in the Easter festivities: it represents the link with the land and agricultural traditions, the cultural piston of this region.
We invite foodies and fans of local traditions to embark on this special Easter food and wine tour, discovering not only the landscapes and cultures of our villages but also the delicacies that make them unique. And there is no better way than to directly experience the preparation of these delicacies: on our website you will find detailed recipes, trivia and tips to make your Easter table an incredible experience of authentic and unrepeatable flavors. Discover the recipes, learn the secrets and, above all, share the taste of tradition!
Every corner of Italy can hold surprises during the Easter holidays: whether you decide to stay in your local area or push on to new destinations, the advice is to look around with curious eyes to discover sights, places and stories capable of enriching the spirit and leaving indelible memories. This holiday season, give yourself the freedom to be enchanted by the landscapes, stories and flavors of a land unique in the world.
