marzo 14, 2024

Easter

Easter

In Dalmatia, Easter, as the most important Catholic holiday, is especially festive.

ACTIVITIES

Traditional Easter breakfast

Many Dalmatian towns organize traditional Easter breakfasts for the locals, where curious visitors are most welcome, offering a taste of local delicacies, a variety of products, and Easter decorations. This year, the Dalmatian towns of Supetar and Sinj are preparing a hearty traditional breakfast on Easter Monday (1.4.2024), inviting you to visit these destinations and experience the richness of local culture and gastronomy.
Many Dalmatian towns organize traditional Easter breakfasts for the locals, where curious visitors are most welcome, offering a taste of local delicacies, a variety of products, and Easter decorations. This year, the Dalmatian towns of Supetar and Sinj are preparing a hearty traditional breakfast on Easter Monday (1.4.2024), inviting you to visit these destinations and experience the richness of local culture and gastronomy.

One of the key elements of the traditional Easter breakfast is the blessing of the food, which takes place on Holy Saturday.

A basket is brought, filled with various foods, such as bread, eggs, ham, cakes, salt, and butter to the church for the priests blessing. The blessed food is then brought home to be served as the centre peace of the Easter morning breakfast table.

Religious events and processions

During the Easter period, Dalmatia’s rich cultural heritage and tradition come to the fore. In many towns and villages, the believers take part in processions passing through the streets carrying crosses, candles, and other religious symbols. Good Friday is of special importance when numerous processions are held in memory of Jesus’ passion and death.

«Za Krizen» (Way of the Cross) procession on the island of Hvar represents one of the most famous and deeply rooted religious customs in Croatia. In Imotski, on Palm Sunday, «The Imotski Passion of Christ» – a live depiction of the Passion of Jesus Christ is traditionally organized, while numerous religious events are also celebrated in other towns like Baška Voda and Sinj.

Procession «Za Krizen» (Way of the Cross) on the island of Hvar
All through Croatia, with Dalmatia being no exception, Good Friday holds a special place in celebrations. Although Pilgrimages of the Way of the Cross are held throughout the country, the one held on the island of Hvar signifies a deep expression of devotion to both religion and tradition. The Hvar procession «Za Krizen» is a traditional overnight procession with a history going back five centuries, starting on Mounty Thursday, and ending on Good Friday. The procession leaves simultaneously from six towns on the island of Hvar, Jelsa, Pitava, Vrisnik, Svirač, Vrbanj, and Vrboska, led by a cross-bearer who carries a cross weighing up to 18 kilograms. The procession covers a 25-kilometer path through the night with only wax candles lighting the way. Religious songs are performed under the cover of the night, giving the whole event an atmosphere of mysticism and solemnity. For many believers, especially for cross-bearers who have been waiting in line for this opportunity for years, this represents an exceptional honour. This procession has been held annually without fail for centuries, regardless of weather conditions, and it was therefore recognised by the UNESCO and placed under protection as an intangible cultural heritage.
The Imotski – Passion of Christ
Every year on Palm Sunday, in the small town of Imotski, located in the green landscape of the Dalmatian Zagora, people gather to witness a unique spectacle of faith and tradition – «The Imotski Passion of Christ» an authentic depiction of Jesus’ Passion. The performance takes place in the Franciscan monastery, in front of an audience of ten thousand believers. More than 400 costumed actors take part in this religious spectacle, authentically portraying the events preceding Jesus’ death on the Cross and the resurrection. The scenes depict the events of the Last Supper, the washing of Peter’s feet, Juda’s betrayal, and Jesus’ trial, followed by the Way of the Cross procession that climbs the fortress of Topana symbolizing Golgotha in this spectacle.

EASTER

Cultural and sports
events

During Easter, many Dalmatian towns organize various cultural events and manifestations such as exhibitions, theatre performances, and sports events. Check the events calendar throughout Central Dalmatia and enjoy the artistic expressions and traditions of this sunny Mediterranean region.

Event
Location
Date
Contact
Biser mora – Međunarodni kulinarski festival i natjecanje
Supetar (Svpetrvs hoteli)
19. – 22.3. 2024.
Supetar (Svpetrvs hoteli)
19. – 22.3. 2024.
Biševo Trail (utrka)
Komiža
6.4.2024.
Komiža
6.4.2024.
Dani suhozida
Hvar
16.3.2024.
Hvar
16.3.2024.
Imotska muka (Upizorenje Isusove muke)
Imotski
Cvjetnica, 24.3.2024.
Imotski
Cvjetnica, 24.3.2024.
IV. Hvar wine festival
Hvar
6.4.2024.
Hvar
6.4.2024.
Jela Ultra Trail (utrka)
Jelsa
6.4.2024.
Jelsa
6.4.2024.
Križni put
Baška Voda
29.3.2024.
Baška Voda
29.3.2024.
Predstava – Legenda o Miljenku i Dobrili
Kaštela (Sućurac) / Kino sv. Juraj
3.3.2024
Kaštela (Sućurac) / Kino sv. Juraj
3.3.2024
20h
Procesija za Križen
Jelsa
28.3. – 29.3. 2024.
Jelsa
28.3. – 29.3. 2024.
Sinjski sajam pršuta
Sinj
22. – 23.3.2024.
Sinj
22. – 23.3.2024.
Uskrsni doručak na otvorenom
Sinj
1.4.2024.
Sinj
1.4.2024.
Uskršnji marendin
Supetar (Riva)
1.4.2024.
Supetar (Riva)
1.4.2024.

Traditional Easter dessert

It is hard to imagine Easter in Dalmatia without the traditional dessert, Sirnica. The preparation of Sirnica starts days before the holiday itself. The first step in preparing Sirnica is preparing the dough.

A mixture of flour, yeast, salt, eggs, yolks, and sugar, alongside other ingredients added to taste, is combined to create a dough. Later, orange and lemon zest are also added.

The mastery of making Sirnica is passed down from generation to generation, as old recipes and preparation techniques often remain a family secret. Those who do not have time to make it themselves, wait in line patiently for hours in front of bakeries and pastry shops in order to ensure that this dessert is also at their Easter table.

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