How Easter is celebrated in the mountains
When the snow slowly retreats from the valleys and the first flowers raise their heads, Easter is just around the corner in the Alpine countries. In the Catholic regions of the Alps, it is an important holiday, traditionally celebrated with a mix of religious rituals, spring festivals and local customs. In this article, we will take you along a few special Easter traditions in the Alps.
Austria: Palm Sunday and Easter Bonfires
In many Austrian villages, Easter week begins with a colorful procession on Palm Sunday. Children carry beautifully decorated ‘Palmbuschen’; bundles of willow branches, flowers and ribbons. On Easter Saturday, Easter bonfires are lit in many places, an old custom to drive away the winter and welcome the light.
Southern Germany: Easter egg hunts and spring markets
In Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, Easter markets are popular, often with handmade decorations, local delicacies and music. Egg hunting is not just for children here. Entire villages participate in decorating ‘Osterbrunnen’: wells and fountains are lavishly decorated with painted eggs and flowers.
Switzerland: Processions and Easter bread
In Switzerland, the difference between the Catholic and Protestant regions is clearly noticeable. In the Catholic Valais or central Switzerland, you see more traditional Easter processions and blessed Easter bread. In some villages, the ‘Zwänzgerle’ is still played: children hold an egg and adults try to throw a coin on it. If the coin gets stuck in it, the thrower can keep the egg. The coins that fall to the ground are for the children.
Northern Italy: Holy Week in the Mountains
In the Alpine regions of Italy, such as South Tyrol, Easter celebrations are strongly influenced by Catholic customs. Holy Week is marked by processions, the ringing of bells and, on Easter Sunday, a feast of ‘agnello pasquale’: Easter lamb, often made of marzipan for children and as a main course for adults.
France: Silence and bells
In the French Alps, especially in Savoie and Haute-Provence, the church bells are silent from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday as a sign of mourning for Jesus. They are supposedly sent to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. When they ring again on Sunday and have returned (with eggs), it is a sign for children that they can go looking for Easter eggs. In some villages, processions and Easter concerts are also organized.
Slovenia: Family celebration with painting
In Slovenia, Easter is a family celebration where eggs are painted with traditional patterns (pisanice), often with beeswax and natural dyes. Breakfast on Easter Sunday is also special: with blessed bread, ham, horseradish and of course eggs.
A feast for all the senses
Easter in the Alps is not only a religious occasion, but also a celebration of spring. The combination of age-old traditions, fresh mountain air and slowly awakening nature makes it a special time to visit the region, whether you come for the culture, the food or just the spring.
Want to know more about traditions in the Alps? Then read our article about Christmas in Austria and Southern Germany.
