Easter Monday in Puglia
The Lenten period, we know is that of penitence and fasting, of prayer and of charity, is that period that begins as the name indicates itself, 40 days before Easter and ends with Holy Week and the various rites that distinguish it. Beginning with Palm Sunday, then follows the Holy Thursday with the washing of the feet and the Sepulchres, Friday begins the fast remembering the death of Jesus and finally the resurrection on Sunday, Easter. As a conclusion of this Holy Week there is the Monday of the Angel or Easter Monday.
Unlike many other Italian regions, where during Easter time it is usual to move around and visit other regions or other states, Easter has lived differently in Puglia. Most families spend the Easter day together, eating the traditional lamb with potatoes, baked. As regards to the Easter Monday instead, it is day of the trips, excursions, lunches by the sea or in the countryside. It is the moment when young people and adults gather to spend a day of fun and joy in the company of friends or relatives.
But what exactly does a Pugliese do on Easter Monday? Here is a small guide to some of the places to visit and the most popular excursions among the Pugliese.
La Selva di Fasano: La Selva di Fasano is a fraction of the municipality of Fasano, which rises about 420 meters above sea level. Its uniqueness lies in the breathtaking panorama that offers tourists along the tree-lined avenues, from where you can even see the trulli and the characteristic villages below, without forgetting the sea view that characterizes it. On the Selva there is also one of the largest zoos in Europe: the Safari Fasanolandia zoo. Where in addition to being able to observe the many animals that hosts, you can have fun in the amusement park inside the zoo, full of rides and attractions for young and old.
Savelletri:
Also Savelletri is a fraction of the municipality of Fasano, but contrary to the Selva it is located on the plain exactly on the coast, with sand and cliffs.
This is a very popular destination for Easter Monday, by lovers of sea urchins. In fact, in the small port it is possible to buy them directly from the fishermen and the typicality is to eat them by the sea with the focaccia “barese” or the bread of Altamura. Of course it is important to arrive early because they go to “steal”.
The sea:
always remaining on the coast, there are many places where you can stop, mount gazebos, tables and chairs and have lunch by the sea. Many are organized with barbeque, pans with rice, potatoes and mussels, baked pasta, orecchiette or any other dish and spend the day breathing the healthy sea air.
Among the best known I can mention the coves of Monopoli, Taranto, Torre dell’orso and the many beaches that offers Salento.
The Gargano is located in the province of Foggia. Here there are various protected areas including the Umbra Forest, which you can visit by bike or on foot, where the local tourist organizations have organized themselves creating food and wine tours, religious, historical and naturalistic. The Marine Reserve of the Tremiti Islands, which boasts stunning seabeds and natural caves. And finally the characteristic places like San Giovanni Rotondo, Vieste, Peschici, Lesina and Manfredonia.
There are so many places that Puglia offers to spend a day away from home, with carefree and cheerfulness, visiting historic sites or simply living the conviviality around a table by the sea or in the shade of ancient olive trees in Puglia, unique dilemma … bad weather !! It is known that the Pasquets are famous for being rainy and sometimes cold …. so umbrella in the backpack and good Easter!
