Visiting the island of Ischia during Easter is an unforgettable experience. The green island, a paradise for young people, is at its best in the days leading up to the festivities. Nature awakens, colours come alive and events follow one another in a blissful combination of the sacred and the profane. Ischitan spring is the ideal setting for organising the perfect getaway, in search of well-being and relaxation. Here, selected for you, are the 7 most interesting things to do in Ischia during Easter!
The Passion of Christ at Soccorso
The last agonising hours of Christ’s life, his Passion and extreme sacrifice on the cross come alive in the shadow of the Soccorso church in Forio during traditional Via Crucis. On the evening of Good Friday, the town of towers becomes Jerusalem. Emotional tension reaches its peak at the moment of the crucifixion. The silhouette of the Soccorso church in the background contributes to giving unique emotions to the lucky audience of a moving and surprising thousand-year-old rite.
Participating in the Angel’s Run
Easter celebrations continue in Forio where, after the Holy Mass, people of Forio celebrate one of their oldest traditions. In the streets filled with the faithful and tourists, four statues are carried by devotees: the Madonna, the Angel, St John and Jesus, while a choir accompanies the procession with an ancient Latin song.
On the trail of My Brilliant Friend
Elena Ferrante’s literary effort has become a worldwide cult in just a few months. Credit also goes to the scenes set in Ischia, full of charm and magic. Those who followed Lenù and Lila’s exciting stories of Lenù cannot help but seek out the locations chosen by director Saverio Costanzo to film the island shots of “The Neapolitan Novels”. A run on Ischia Ponte jetty, as in the iconic cult scene, forces the viewer to turn towards the majestic Aragonese castle, taking them to the ancient village of Celsa, just as it must have looked to tourists’ dreamy eyes at the time when Elena Ferrante’s novel is set. Another place chosen for the TV series event is Via Giorgio Corafà, the ancient mule track that was once the only road connecting the village of Testaccio to the Maronti beach.
Savouring Coniglio all’ischitana (Rabbit Ischia-style)
Easter is a time for doves and pastries, but it is always a good opportunity to eat rabbit, the real thing. Coniglio all’ischitana (Ischia-style rabbit) is the main dish of the island’s gastronomy. Only after tasting the tender meat of rabbits grown in the ditches of the island’s hills can one truly claim to have visited Ischia. Thyme, marjoram, cherry tomatoes, garlic, chillies and of course the rabbit, laid in a clay terrine, a triumph of traditional flavour. But where can you eat the authentic Coniglio all’ischitana cooked to perfection? There are so many restaurants offering this delicacy that it is difficult to make a selection. But among the main restaurants offering ancient recipes rooted in the historical memory of Ischia’s gastronomy, we would recommend ‘Il Focolare’ at Cretaio, the Morzariello restaurant, in Serrara, and La Capannina, in Campagnano.
Eating chicken cooked to perfection under the sand of the Fumarole!
Besides the rabbit, during the Easter holidays, the island also offers a taste of summer. To eat authentic food, one must go to the Fumarole, the enchanting beach located a stone’s throw from the village of Sant’Angelo. Here, skilled cooks wrap earthenware containers full of the island’s most genuine flavours: chicken, onions, tomatoes, potatoes and delicious aromas such as rosemary, basil and borage. The bundle of goodness is carefully buried in the boiling sand. In a few minutes, taking advantage of Tifeo’s warm breath, the delicacy is ready. Savouring the unique flavour of chicken cooked in the fumaroles while gazing at the stunning panorama of the Maronti bay is a unique experience.
Discovering Ischia’s paths with ‘Andar per Sentieri’
The green heart of Ischia offers a number od routes that lead to the wild and fascinating soul of Ischia, marked by the symbols of the Italian Alpine Club and shown in detail on the most experienced trekkers’ maps. Ischia offers a number routes throughout its green hills, ancient villages and evocative canyons, until reaching the deepest blue of the sea, crystal-clear water reflecting the smiles of hikers, delighted to discover one of the most fascinating sides of the largest of the Phlegraean islands. “Andar per Sentieri”, the annual event organised by Pro Loco in Panza, offers tourists a week to stroll along undiscovered itineraries and get to know the green soul of the island.
‘Ndrezzata’, the ancient Greek dance
Stick, typical clothes and a deep folkloric energy. On Easter Monday, after a picnic on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches of the island, in the ancient and characteristic village of Buonopane you can watch ‘Ndrezzata, a dance of fights and battles, evidence of ancient Greek roots. Performing the dance are the inhabitants of Buonopane, who proudly hand down the typical movements and songs from generation to generation.