Do you know what makes Easter time in South Tyrol so special? The good food. The family time. And the traditions that make us so unique.

Eggs, Palmesel, and Easter menus

Easter is celebrated in a big way in South Tyrol. With tasty menus, family get-togethers, colourful decorations, sweet gifts ... oh, we love it. Would you like to spend Easter with the private landlords in South Tyrol? Good choice! Because at südtirol privat you celebrate Easter with the locals, just like real South Tyroleans. We'll tell you what you can look forward to here.

First things first: the delicacies

After the 40 days of Lent, South Tyroleans look forward to an extensive Easter menu. To the sweet yeast bread, which is eaten either with jam or Nutella – or with spicy horseradish, in some parts of the country. You can find the recipe for it here. Add the typical Easter ham and the appetizers are ready! In many households, the first course consists of fresh asparagus (the best asparagus can be found in Terlan!) and the so-called Bolzano sauce (with eggs, vinegar, and mustard). Then it gets really savoury, because the main course is often a tender fillet or medallion. Of course, there isn’t just one South Tyrolean Easter menu – it's the variety that makes the difference!

Who is the Palmesel in your family?

Easter in South Tyrol is a time for indulgence and feasting. But it’s also a time full of unique traditions. A good example is the Palmesel (palm donkey). The Sunday before the Easter weekend is also known as Palm Sunday. Whoever is the last one in the family to get up in the morning and therefore stays in bed the longest will be the “Palmesel” for the whole day. Those who then go to mass take a Palmbesen with them – a home-made bouquet made of pussy willow, olive branches, spring flowers, colourful ribbons, and Easter eggs. The palm branches are consecrated at mass and placed at home to protect the house and farm.
Easter eggs are dyed on Maundy Thursday – with bright colours, patterns, stamps, shiny foils ... just let your imagination run wild. The colourful Easter eggs play a special role on Easter Sunday: during egg pocking.

The winner takes it all

Egg pocking is THE Easter game par excellence. The family battle. The winner takes it all ... at east when it comes to Easter eggs. All players choose a boiled, coloured Easter egg in advance. Players divide in pairs and start the fight – first top against top, then bottom against bottom. The holding technique is important, as the egg must be well enclosed. What happens if your egg doesn’t break during the fight? You win the battle and can keep the opponent’s egg. And please eat them with relish in front of the loser!



The Easter market in Laas

The marble village in Val Venosta/Vinschgau has something special to offer on Holy Saturday, 19 April 2025: the traditional Easter market. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the village square. Here you’ll find lovingly sewed, skilfully crocheted, warmly knitted items, as well as sweet treats, and various creative products. For your last-minute Easter decorations. Don’t miss out on this event!