Easter Holidays in Tuscany 2024

Easter is a special time in Tuscany. Italian religious and folklore Easter traditions are on full display during the festive week. The celebration begins on Palm Sunday (Domenica delle Palme) and last until Easter Monday (La Pasquetta), with the most massive events held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Processions on Maundy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, churches open their doors to the crowds of believers. You can visit Castiglione di Garfagnana (in the province of Lucca), where a traditional Processione dei Crocioni is held on that day. The procession leaves after the "In coena Domini" mass at 8 pm. Thousands of people follow the procession led by a person dressed like Jesus Christ, with chains and a cross on his shoulders.

Radicofani hosts another beautiful Maundy Thursday Procession. Starting after the mass at 8:30 pm, the procession starts the re-enactment of the Last Supper, followed by the mourning procession commemorating the death of Jesus, Led by solemn Scalzi brotherhood, dressed in black hooded robes, the parade goes through the entire town and returns to the parish church.

Easter Passion Play in Grassina

On Good Friday, there are many parades all over Tuscany. Participants wear costumes and carry statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Grassina, a town near Florence, holds an Easter Passion Play with 500 residents participating in the reenactment. The tradition dates back to 1633, when locals wanted to thank God for sparing the town during plague epidemics and held Good Friday Passion Play for the first time. The event consists of two parts: the historical parade and the Passion of Christ scenes.

Scoppio del Carro

On Sunday, the "Scoppio del Carro," or the explosion of the cart, takes place in Florence. It is one of the most exciting annual events in the city. If you want to avoid the crowds, watch the same spectacle in Figline Valdarno or Cutigliano in northern Tuscany. Scoppio del carro in Figline Valdarno takes place at 11 am near the Collegiate Church at piazza Marsilio Ficin.

Easter Procession in Porto Santo

The Maremma region is famous for its impressive Easter procession in Porto Santo. Many locals gather at dawn to honor the risen Christ and carry his statue through the streets of the town. The procession leaves the Church of Santo Stefano at 7 am, then stops at the Church of the Immacolata and returns to Santo Stefano in two hours. The procession also stops at the port, where the sea and fishing boats are blessed. The statue is raised three times and the boats blow their horns.

Easter Monday is a day off, and many Italians spend this day outside on a picnic. You can surely join this pleasant tradition and enjoy lush spring Tuscan nature.