Easter has always been of great importance in Puglia, as it is an opportunity to celebrate customs and traditions that have had their roots in Christian and pagan culture for centuries.
Religious festivals and rites, throughout the Easter period, are celebrated throughout Puglia, from large cities to small villages.
A central role in Easter celebrations in Puglia is played by the preparation of traditional seasonal foods. In Puglia, families gather to celebrate with dishes that, from appetizers to dessert, showcase the diverse Easter traditions passed down through the generations.
EASTER EVENTS IN PUGLIA
Where to go for Easter in Puglia
Puglia is a land of folklore, which has preserved the solemnity of liturgical celebrations and Easter events of great charm.
For example, a In San Marco in Lamis , in the province of Foggia, the inhabitants build enormous wooden torches, called "fracchie," which are used to light the path of Our Lady of Sorrows as she searches for her Son. The fracchie can be up to 10-15 meters long and are pulled on iron carts through the town's main streets.
TO In Taranto , however, the "Perdoni" wander through the city in pairs like ghosts, dressed in white, without shoes, kneeling before one another whenever they pass each other. The procession takes place on Good Friday, carrying the statue of Christ on their shoulders for hours on end.
The protagonist of Easter at Cerignola He is the "Red Christ," traditionally understood as the one who helped Christ carry the cross. During this procession, you may encounter barefoot figures wearing red tunics and hoods.
Or, to Alberobello It is possible to immerse yourself in the “Living Passion”, staged on Good Friday, among the olive groves and in the historic center of the town, with more than two hundred participants.
TO In Canosa , however, there is the “Desolata” procession, which will put you in front of a suggestive spectacle with hundreds of women completely covered in black following the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows.
EASTER CULINARY TRADITIONS
Typical Easter dishes
In addition to the traditional Easter doves and chocolate eggs, culinary traditions reign supreme in Puglia during the Easter period; one of these is the famous " Scarcella ," a traditional dessert that can take on various shapes reminiscent of Easter symbols, with a cooked egg at its center.
Easter lunch cannot but open with the “ Benedetto ”, an appetizer consisting of salami, hard-boiled eggs, orange slices, fresh ricotta and olives.
In Salento, “ cavatelli al vincotto ” are famous, that is, homemade pasta, made with boiling vincotto which gives the cavatello its typical brick red colour.
OUT OF TOWN TRIP
Easter Monday in Puglia
On Easter Monday, Apulians usually organize day trips, often accompanied by lunches in traditional Apulian farmhouses. Apulia offers numerous places to discover for your Easter Monday getaway.
One of these places is the Bosco Isola di Lesina . Stretching for 15 km, it is located within the Gargano National Park and is the ideal place to experience nature.
The Mercadante forest , on the other hand, is one of the most popular destinations during the Easter period as it represents, to date, the “green lung” of Bari, where nature reigns supreme.
The nature reserve of Guaceto Tower It is the ideal place for those who wish to learn about the protected species that live between the wild nature and the clear sea.
Another option is definitely to spend Easter Monday in Valle d'Itria , also known as the “Valley of the Trulli”, in the hinterland of Taranto, or in the Foresta Umbra , in the Gargano National Park; this forest extends up to 830 meters above sea level, making it suitable for all types of excursions.
For more information you can visit the website www.pugliaetmores.it
Source: Nonno Michele Editorial Staff