Have you ever heard of the Egg Race? The Tredozio Egg Festival and Race is a truly unique event which, on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, sees teams from the town’s districts – both men’s and women’s – compete in thrilling contests, with the very symbol of the Easter celebrations taking centre stage.

As well as the palio, the programme includes the sfogline championships and various shows, including a hard-boiled egg-eating contest.

We remain in the hills of Romagna between Forlì and Cesena to discover another Easter tradition from Emilia-Romagna that is truly evocative. We are referring to the Procession of the Dead Christ in Portico di Romagna: on the evening of Friday 3 April, the medieval village will be lit by torches to accompany the passage of 50 costumed figures and soldiers on horseback who will re-enact the Passion of Jesus.

The event in Portico is not the only Easter re-enactment you can attend in Romagna. In fact, there are two others, also scheduled for Good Friday: the Procession of Montefiore Conca and the Way of the Cross in Montegridoldo, both in the Rimini area, featuring costumed participants and villages illuminated by torchlight.

PIACENZA

Being able to admire a work of art up close is always thrilling, especially in the very place where it was created. In Piacenza, there are two truly special opportunities to do so, thanks to the chance to climb up to the dome of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Campagna, decorated by Pordenone, and to the dome of the Cathedral, which houses magnificent frescoes by Guercino. An experience not to be missed, accessible with a single ticket.

Furthermore, Palazzo Farnese is hosting the exhibition “Sibyls. Voices beyond time, beyond stone”, featuring works by Domenichino.

PARMA

In Parma, the spring exhibition programme includes the exhibition at Palazzo Pigorini dedicated to Steve McCurry, the exhibition at the Palazzo del Governatore dedicated to Bernardo Bertolucci, and the exhibition at Palazzo Tarasconi, “Impressionists: 100 Years of Reflections”, featuring works from Monet to Bonnard.

In the province, at the Magnani Rocca Foundation in Mamiano di Traversetolo, there is the exhibition on Symbolism in Italy, whilst at the Labirinto della Masone you can visit the exhibition “Erté. Style is everything”.

MODENA

In Modena, motoring enthusiasts shouldn’t miss “The Greatest Hits”, an exhibition at the Ferrari Museum celebrating the meeting between Ferrari and the world of great international music, whilst in the new wing of the Palazzo dei Musei, there are just a few days left to visit the exhibition dedicated to Giorgio De Chirico’s Last Metaphysics.

BOLOGNA

In Bologna, you can choose between the Japanese art and design of ‘Graphic Japan’ and the photographs of Ruth Orkin, one of the most influential photojournalists of the 20th century, on display at Palazzo Pallavicini.

FERRARA

The magnificent Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara is hosting the exhibition ‘Andy Warhol. Ladies and Gentlemen’, 50 years on from the great exhibition of the same name held in 1975–76, which brought one of the most charismatic figures of the 20th century to Ferrara.

FAENZA

The International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza is currently hosting the exhibition “Alchimia Ginori 1737–1896. Art and Craftsmanship in Ceramics”, which explores the evolution of ceramics between the 18th and 19th centuries.

FORLÌ

“Baroque: The Grand Theatre of Ideas” is the title of the exhibition on display at the Museo Civico di San Domenico in Forlì, dedicated to the cultural phenomenon that spanned the 17th century and marked the beginning of our modern era.

RIMINI

The heritage exhibition “Riviera Dream Vision. Fashion itineraries. Stories, codes, imagery”, dedicated to the major fashion brands from Romagna, is on display at the PART in Rimini.

Discover all exhibitions in Emilia-Romagna

Easter in Emilia-Romagna is also synonymous with outdoor events and activities. A few examples? Stroll amongst thousands of colourful tulips and create your own personalised bouquet at the Tulipark – The Festival of Blooming Tulips in Bologna, or take part in the traditional Easter Monday walk along the Bregoli trail, which leads from Casalecchio di Reno to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, with a snack at the end.

The start of spring also marks the return of excursions in the Po Delta Park.

So treat yourself to the thrill of watching flamingos in their natural habitat with the flamingo bike ride at sunset, a 12-kilometre flat cycle route through the Southern Valleys of Comacchio, or enjoy the atmosphere of the salt pans at sunset by electric boat and on foot.

A mountain lover? For your Easter Monday outing, you could opt for a guided walk in the woods to explore the Suviana and Brasimone Lakes Park in the Bolognese Apennines, or take part in the circular hike to the sources of the Secchia in the Reggio Apennines.

If you can’t wait for the days to get longer to put on your hiking boots or get on your bike, these tips are for you!

Among the many itineraries you can follow over the Easter holidays, we first recommend a breathtaking cycle path. It’s called the ‘Argine degli Angeli’ and it separates Valle Furlana from Valle Lido di Magnavacca in the southern valleys of Comacchio.

Cycling (or walking) along this route gives you the feeling of gliding on water, surrounded by the magical atmosphere of the Po Delta Park.

A typical feature of the Ferrara and Ravenna coasts, the fishing huts are another good idea for a hike or bike ride among nature and ancient traditions.

Speaking of itineraries along waterways, did you know that it is possible to go from Piacenza to Reggio Emilia along the right bank of the Po? The tour is divided into 10 stages, and here too it can be tackled either on two wheels or on foot.

Going up from the plains towards the mountains, we recommend an enchanting hike that leads straight to the Secchia River springs, inside the Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco Emiliano.

Also not to be missed is a visit to the Labante Caves of Castel d’Aiano, in the Bolognese Apennines, and their small waterfall.

Finally, two themed and unusual tours. The first one takes you to the big benches of Emilia-Romagna, unique observation points as well as good opportunities for a nice hike, while the second one is dedicated to the volcanoes of Emilia-Romagna, from the burning fountain of Tredozio to the mud volcanoes located between Modena, Reggio Emilia and Parma.

Let us now take a look at some ideas for spending Easter in Emilia-Romagna among small villages and cities of art. Let’s start immediately with two gems of the Trebbia Valley (Piacenza): Bobbio and Brugnello, perfect destinations for those who love the quiet and enchanted atmosphere of mediaeval villages.

From the top of the rock on which Brugnello stands you can appreciate the magnificent view of the Trebbia River, while in Bobbio – one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy – you can cross the famous Devil’s Bridge and admire the Abbey of San Colombano.

Speaking of abbeys and other places steeped in history, the area between Modena and Bologna also has plenty to offer. With a trip out of town a short distance from Bologna you can visit the Rocca di Vignola fortress, with its 16th-century spiral staircase designed by Jacopo Barozzi, the Romanesque Abbey of Monteveglio and many other interesting spots.

But the hills of Romagna are certainly not to be outdone. Why not decide to spend a weekend in the hill towns of Cesena or in the Conca Valley, discovering the fascinating hinterland of Rimini?

If you are planning a family trip, the opportunities are many and range from Piacenza to Rimini. Do great feats of chivalry and star-crossed lovers fascinate you? With our tour of the villages and castles of Parma and Piacenza in Emilia, you’ll have plenty to look forward to.

If you prefer to stay in the city, a tour between Bologna and Modena will give you the chance to have fun with the little ones with the ‘wireless telephone’ under the vault of the Palazzo del Podestà, admire Gino Pellegrini’s trompe l’oeil murals in San Giovanni in Persiceto, visit the Museo della Figurina and much more.

Another good idea for your Easter in Italy with the kids is a trip to Romagna, a land of seaside villages and amusement parks.

You can explore it on a three-day tour from Cesenatico to Riccione, or with a two-day trip to Rimini and its surroundings, in search of the splendid villages perched on the hills of the Marecchia Valley.