Easter in Italy

Posted by Rebecca Ford Mar 20, 2008

It’s nearly the Easter weekend, which in Britain is the signal for stately homes to re-open their doors to the public. National Trust properties will be gearing themselves up for a rush of people, keen to stroll round the grounds and admire the spring flowers – before filling up on slices of sponge cake and buttered scones in the tea room. I sometimes think they must make more money from cakes than they do on the entrance fees.

Easter’s unusually early this year-it won’t be this early again for well over 200 years, so it could well be a chilly holiday. If you’re heading for Italy, remember to pack a brolly (umbrella) - the forecast is for rain in both Rome and Naples. If you are in Rome over Easter, remember that there will be a Way of the Cross celebration at the Colosseum on Good Friday, and a service at St Peter’s on Easter Sunday. It’s worth going to something like this once, at least. A powerful spectacle – and you’ll get some pictures of the Pope.

Take a look in the cake shops if you’re in Italy at Easter. You’ll see special loaves, baked in the shape of a dove (though the shape is not immediately obvious – look for something rather like a thick splodgy cross). In many regions you may also see Easter pies – like the Torta Pasqualina that’s made in Liguria.