Easter in Italy is one of the most important religious holidays together with Christmas, representing a moment of rebirth and life. Tradition is deeply rooted in Italian families with a variety of traditions and customs, depending on the region.
However, from North to South, there are two traditions that bring everyone together: the exchange of Easter eggs and the Easter dove. This exchange happens on Easter day, in which families gather for the traditional lunch. The most popular dishes are based on lamb, kid (young goat), lasagna, savory pies stuffed with seasonal vegetables and leavened baked goods accompanied by cold cuts and cheeses. At the end of the meal, desserts are served, obviously including the colomba and coffee. The Easter Colomba is a sweet spread throughout the peninsula, usually covered with icing and almonds, but there are hundreds of versions of this too, with chocolate, pistachio or cream filling to name a few.
Subsequently, with great anticipation from the little ones, the eggs are exchanged, a moment of sharing, both for the surprises found inside, and for the chocolate. In short, it’s time for more eating.
The tradition of exchanging eggs is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Unlock Your Italian Paradise
Are you dreaming about your next Italian adventure? Click below and in just 1 minute you’ll discover the destination perfect for you with all our best tips for your dream vacation.
The Easter eggs are chocolate eggs of all types and sizes with a surprise inside and enclosed in a plastic shell. The surprises inside can be of all kinds, from small toys for children to everyday objects. You can even have special surprises inserted, by contacting the egg company, such as an engagement ring or the keys to a new car.
Being a holiday celebrated in conjunction with spring, the Easter egg becomes even more significant, representing rebirth and life that is renewed, like every spring in an endless cycle. An even older tradition in Italian families is to paint and decorate real eggs, previously boiled with their whole shell. This comes from the ancient Christian tradition of coloring eggs red, to represent the passion of Christ.
Easter with your family, Easter Monday with whoever you want.
In Italy it is said that Easter Sunday is to be spent with your family, however Easter Monday is to be spent with friends. Another deeply felt tradition is to spend the Monday after Easter with friends usually at barbecues, preferably in picnic areas in the countryside. The important thing is that friends and food are present.
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL TIPS:
La Pasimata: Pasimata is a type of sweet bread, typical of the city of Lucca and its surroundings. It is traditionally eaten during Lent and, blessed in church, on Easter day. Formerly prepared with the addition of saffron, it was called pangiallo with fennel or soaked bread.
La Processione del Venerdì Santo: The Good Friday procession is a deeply felt tradition in Italy. In Lucca it is also called “The tour of the 7 churches” After 2 years of detention, the solemn penitential procession of Good Friday returns, an ancient ritual that belongs to the history of the Archconfraternity di Misericordia of Lucca.