Anyone not on a pilgrimage spend Easter in Italy? We are in the planning stages for what to do during our trip - and were hoping to find information on how other folks spent their Easter Sunday and Easter Monday in Italy. Should we join in with the 200K in the Pope's audience in Rome?
Thanks in advance...
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Living, or visiting, Rome during Easter weekend can be challenging. We went to Easter Mass in 2008 and it was packed! And it rained the entire service! Yet we will probably go back next year. We walked into the "seating area" about 75 yards from the stage. From there we had a tremendous view! (Note - you are supposed to have "passes" to enter this area). Once the service started it was all you could do to HOLD YOUR GROUND as folks pushed forward for a better look!
Many, many stores, markets, restaurants, etc are closed on Easter Sunday AND Easter Monday. Bus and Metro are on festival service so expect very limited service! Our normal "very 10 minute bus" became once an hour service - Plan accordingly!
On Monday many of the museums (not Vatican) reopen... and most tourist attractions are open. But shopkeepers take that day off also...
Good luck!
Ciao,
Ron
Posted by
Wodonga, Australia
440 posts
Ava, you might like to check out the Easter celebrations in Florence on the Sunday. I will be in the crowd!
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
31 posts
Thanks for your replies, Ron & Pat.
So other than the big event in Rome - what else goes on in other cities (such as Florence or Bologna) during Holy Week (Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday)? I know I've seen the Rome events on tv, so I know what to expect (at least in general), but we never hear what sorts of things happen elsewhere in Italy during the same time.
Thanks!
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
31 posts
Oh, I did see this mention of some fireworks and a cart in Florence...
"For over 300 years the Easter celebration in Florence has included this ritual, during which an elaborate wagon, a structure built in 1679 and standing two to three stories high, is dragged through Florence behind a fleet of white oxen decorated in garlands. The pageantry ends in front of the Basilica di S. Maria del Fiore, where Mass is held. During the midday service, a holy fire is stoked by ancient stone chips from the Holy Sepulcher, and the Archbishop lights a dove–shaped rocket which travels down a wire and collides with the cart in the square, setting off spectacular fireworks and explosions to the cheers of all. A big bang ensures a good harvest, and a parade in medieval costume follows."
Posted by
Tucson, AZ
19 posts
I, too, will be in Rome for that weekend and am going to try Rick Steve's "Pilgrims' Rome" on Sunday and heading to Pompeii on Monday. (Hoping that Pompeii will be open on Monday.) If you hear of any other info, please pass it along!