Easter in Abruzzo 2024: Itineraries Between Sea and Mountain

Easter in Abruzzo is a serious affair, almost as important as Christmas.

In a land of ancient traditions and great religious spirit, Holy Week becomes a rich program that invites you each day to discover the most beautiful villages in Abruzzo through celebrations and rituals that blend the sacred and the profane.

Easter also marks the return of spring, the ideal season for wandering through medieval villages, ancient castles, nature parks, and beaches warmed by the early sun. Here are some ideas to spend Easter in Abruzzo.

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In Abruzzo, the religious festivities of Easter intertwine with medieval traditions and profane rituals during evocative celebrations that return every year, making villages and towns truly magical.

Here's the schedule for the most important events of Holy Week:

Living Passion, Gessopalena - Holy Wednesday

The first celebration of Holy Week takes place on Wednesday in Gessopalena, a small municipality in the province of Chieti.

The event begins at sunset and reenacts the moments of Christ's Passion through the narrow streets and ruins of the village. Local residents participate, providing a poignant experience of folk theater.

Procession of the Hooded, Lanciano - Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday in Lanciano, there is the Procession of the Hooded, one of the most solemn rituals of Holy Week that the Archconfraternity of San Filippo Neri has celebrated since the 16th century.

For Christians, it is the evening of the Last Supper, the night of betrayal, and for this reason, the Brothers of San Filippo Neri process through the city with their faces hooded, dressed in long black robes adorned with medallions symbolizing death. The procession is an act of penance for the betrayal of Christ on the evening of the Last Supper. At the center of the procession is the "Cyrenean," who, incognito, walks barefoot and hooded, carrying the heavy Cross of Calvary. The streets are lit only by lanterns, and a band plays sacred music by local masters like Masciangelo, Bellini, and Ravazzoni.

Procession of the Dead Christ, Sulmona - Good Friday

On the evening of Good Friday, the members of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Trinity, the oldest in Sulmona, parade through the streets dressed in crimson robes with white sashes and red cords, symbols of restraint and humility. The procession includes a choir of over 110 singers who perform various versions of the Miserere and other sacred songs.

This procession has medieval origins, but today it is presented according to the solemn staging of the 1500s.

A similar procession takes place in Chieti, where residents dressed in white and hooded walk through the city streets. Equally evocative is the procession in Ortona, where women take part, with their heads covered by black veils, singing religious litanies.

Finally, in Teramo, the Desolata procession occurs, an ancient rite where the statue of the Madonna walks through the streets searching for her son Jesus.

Living Passion, Barrea - Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, the last hours of Christ's life are recreated.

The cultural association Antologia di Barrea stages a reenactment involving about 200 actors and figures from the area. This event revives the moments of Christ's Passion, from the entry into Jerusalem to the crucifixion, in a moving performance that attracts over 3,000 spectators each year.

The Madonna in Mourning, Introdacqua - Easter Sunday

Every year, on Easter Sunday, in the beautiful village of Introdacqua, in the province of Aquila, the ritual of "The Madonna in Mourning" takes place.

In the crowded square, the statue of the Madonna dressed in mourning slowly appears from the ascent of San Rocco, carried on the shoulders of four young men, a privilege acquired through a public auction in the presence of the organizing deputies.

The Madonna walks toward the opposite side of the square where the Risen Christ awaits her, thus initiating the frantic "race" amid fireworks, bell sounds, and a local band. The Madonna's black cloak falls away, revealing her usual blue attire.

In the general excitement, the procession begins through the town, led by the Madonna, who, for the residents of Introdacqua, does not flee but flies. Seen from a distance, it truly looks like the Madonna is flying above the heads of the people.

This event appears to have been repeated since the second half of the 1800s.

If you want to relive the atmosphere of medieval festivities, go on Easter Monday to the Roccascalegna Castle, which hosts falconry shows, medieval combat with knights and crossbowmen, and various theatrical performances.

It's also a great excuse to visit the wonderful Roccascalegna Castle, which was also a set for the film "Tale of Tales" by Matteo Garrone.

The houses of the ancient village will open their doors to markets featuring typical Easter products and local crafts.

If you are particularly fascinated by the ancient art of falconry, visit the picturesque village of Stiffe, where falconers from Aquila explain tricks and secrets of the trade through interesting demonstrations. Don't miss the stunning Stiffe Caves, one of the most well-known karst phenomena in Italy.

To celebrate Easter Monday 2024 in perfect Abruzzese style, the Arrostiland festival returns for the fourth year, "the largest barbecue party of all time", which will take place on April 10th in Vacri, in the province of Chieti, a beautiful village nestled among vineyards between the Majella mountains and the Adriatic Sea.

Arrostiland is a large festival dedicated to arrosticini, the kings of Abruzzese cuisine, clearly meant to be accompanied by a good glass, or a few glasses, of Montepulciano from Abruzzo. The event is open to everyone, and groups of friends of at least 10 people (half men and half women) can register to ensure a table, two benches, and all the necessary equipment to cook their own arrosticini.

Additionally, groups will have preferential treatment for prize drawings, lotteries, and other initiatives at the festival. If you don't have a group, you are still welcome to join one of the many groups or to eat at the various stands operated by local associations. In any case, just send an email to info@arrostiland.it to get all the necessary information.

Participating in the various celebrations of Holy Week also means wandering through the most beautiful villages and castles of Abruzzo in an atmosphere of festivity that enlivens even the smallest towns.

In addition to the wonderful Roccascalegna Castle mentioned above, you might visit the Aragonese Castle of Ortona in the Sagro Aventino, a beautiful castle built in the 15th century overlooking the sea. Ortona is ideal if you want to start sensing the sea air, as it is here that the evocative Trabocchi Coast begins, extending to Vasto.

Alternatively, you could visit Abbateggio, the village with stone houses, in the province of Pescara, within the Maiella National Park, where you can also visit the castle. Other beautiful castles include those in Casoli and Pizzoferrato. Then explore the area of Fucino, Valle Peligna, and Valle dell'Aterno to uncover ancient villages and fortresses. Bominaco is a medieval castle guarding Gran Sasso, and Rocca Calascio, called the "roof of Abruzzo," is one of the highest castles in Italy. Lastly, another splendid village is Guardiagrele, described by Gabriele D'Annunzio as the terrace of Abruzzo.

When you've had enough of medieval villages, head for the cities like L'Aquila, Teramo, and Pescara.

It's the eternal dilemma of Easter Monday that keeps groups of friends in suspense until the last minute trying to predict the variable spring weather.

For a first taste of the sea, explore the Trabocchi Coast, named after the ancient fishing machines on stilts.

If you prefer the mountains, venture into the Majella National Park where you can take walks, go trekking, or enjoy horseback riding in the wild nature. It's a picturesque setting to enjoy a nice Easter picnic.

If you are among those who cannot give up an Easter lunch served at the table, reserve at one of the many restaurants where you can taste Abruzzese specialties.

The Easter menu won't be complete without arrosticini (lamb skewers), mazzarelle (lamb offal rolls), timballo, lamb, pipindune and eggs (fried peppers and eggs), scrippelle 'mbusse (crepes in broth), both hard-boiled and chocolate eggs, and pizza di Pasqua (a traditional sweet).

All accompanied by a good Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The rest is taken care of by good company.