Easter in Tuscany
Easter is a religious holiday and in Tuscany it means traditional events
Visiting Tuscany during the Easter holidays? Here is everything you need to know to make the most of local events and traditional plays and parades. We have divided the activities by day, so you can easily track events and activities that are planned in Florence and all of Tuscany during Easter.
Just a little Background on Easter in Italy
Easter in Italy is not a short celebration but rather, celebrated over five days starting the Thursday before Easter Sunday and finishing the following Monday. It starts with a wide range of religious and folkloric events then ends with colorfully wrapped chocolate eggs with hidden surprises and picnics in the countryside. There is a wide range of things to do in Florence on Easter Sunday and Monday as well as in the surrounding areas.
Easter in Tuscany for many signals the beginning of spring, with its colorful blossoms and mild temperatures. The event, which varies every year according to the Christian calendar (falling anywhere between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April), is also synonymous with parades recreating events from the Crusades, revocations of religious events, elaborate floral decorations in churches like that in San Casciano and many folkloric festivals.
If you are intentionally (or not) planning on visiting during the Easter holidays, it is best to be prepared on the what, when and where, starting with the events in Florence for March or highlights for April. If you are staying in the countryside of Tuscany, take note of the events in March or April across the region as you organize your itinerary.
Holy Thursday
The first of the Easter celebrations, starting on Holy Thursday, will have churches opening their doors and welcoming followers to visit their altars which are elaborately decorated with flowers meant to pay respect to Jesus during his time of death and to celebrate His rebirth. All are welcome to visit the churches to see the various celebrations in both the city center and in the surrounding hill towns, thus making this a great day to take a day trip to one of the surrounding towns, including Lucca or Arezzo. Let's take a look at some specific events:
• Castiglione di Garfagnana
In the province of Lucca, there is a traditional Processione dei Crocioni on Holy Thursday during which an anonymous penitent dresses up as Jesus Christ - chained and bearing a Cross - and walks through the narrow streets of the village. If you're in the area, make sure to read more about Garfagnana in general.
• Radiocofani
After Mass, referred to as "Coena Domini", and the washing of the feet, the historic procession of penance takes place at 8:30 pm. The procession will tour the entire town and then return to the parish church, including chanting of the psalms, choirs in Latin and Miserere.