Dubrovnik style Easter eggs

Easter in Dubrovnik – values that live on

“No, don’t break it…it’s beautiful,” I gasped in amazement at the scene in front of me. Easter in Dubrovnik is a time of traditions, a time of family and a time of fresh beginnings. It feels like a new chapter, a page has been turned, and yet the culture of the past is respected. Value is the key word. It is also a great time to visit Dubrovnik; it really feels like you are at the start of something special.

Easter isn’t really just a day, although Easter Sunday is the height of the celebrations, there is a week of events to experience. Which is how I came to be feeling sorry for an egg? One of the many traditions of Easter in Dubrovnik is painted eggs. Now I am not talking about whitewashed eggs in one colour, no far from it, these are tiny masterpieces. Incredibly decorated eggs with pictures, scenes and even messages displayed on them, pure miniature works of art.

Children at school, grandparents at home and even companies produce their own hand-decorated eggs. Some carry messages like, “Bless you this Easter,” and all of them are glorious. After so much time and effort has been put into painting them they are broken, egg on egg in a kind of conker competition. However if you are lucky enough to be in Dubrovnik for the Easter period then it is your job to save a few, what a perfect and unique souvenir. I have a few tucked away.

Easter at the Kazbek, Dubrovnik

Easter atmosphere at Boutique Hotel Kazbek

You have to try some of the delicacies at Easter time, such as the special cake that is made, Pinca, we love it. And don’t be surprised if you see palm decorations everywhere, on Palm Sunday it is traditional to take plaited palm leaves to church. But it isn’t only in church that you’ll see these plaited palm leaves, every home and shop will proudly have palm decorations on show.

Often tourists will ask about the special celebrations and traditions in Dubrovnik for Easter, they are fascinated that these customs are still alive and kicking. The idea of just giving out chocolate Easter eggs still hasn’t invaded Dubrovnik’s culture. And as the weather breaks, the sun stays longer in the blue sky and the nature can almost be heard awakening it is truly an inspirational time to visit Dubrovnik.

Discover the beauties and the values that make Dubrovnik a unique city to be in, and these very values are highlighted the most at Easter time. Make your own Easter memories in Dubrovnik…and save a few eggs as a memento.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Discover the beauties and the values that make Dubrovnik a unique city to be in

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Good Friday Procession in Dubrovnik

Today is Good Friday and following an old tradition, there is a procession in Dubrovnik Old City. It starts from the Cathedral of Mary’s Assumption through Od Puca Street and continues along main Stradun street. 

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Procession starts from Dubrovnik cathedral

Dubrovnik’s bishop carries the relic of the True Cross. It is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. This relic together with 132 other relics of saints are treasured in the Cathedral Treasury and is open daily for visitors.

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Bishop carries relic of the True Cross

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Procession in front of Franciscan monastery

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Priests and monks in procession

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Good Friday procession in Dubrovnik

Traditions of Palm Sunday in Dubrovnik region

Today is Palm Sunday or Flower Sunday as it is called among Catholic Christians.

It’s a day for blessing palm and olive branches and here at the Mediterranean the vine branches as well.

But most beloved tradition especially among children is washing the face and arms in the water with fresh flowers in it.

In this way, people celebrate spring, freshness, youth and health. There is a saying that you would stay forever young if you wash your face in this water.

The tradition also includes wishing well, success and all good intentions for the coming year to one’s own life, family, friends and neighbours. Hence the name Flower or Floral Sunday.