Easter in Croatia is an important family celebration characterized by exciting customs and a festive atmosphere. The traditional rituals combine faith, culture, and community in the various regions, making the country a worthwhile destination in spring as well.
Easter is a very special time to visit Croatia. The sun is already high in the sky and the temperatures are pleasantly mild. It goes without saying that many boaters traditionally start their boating season at this time of year. But Easter in Croatia is also celebrated with a variety of deeply rooted customs that are well worth a visit. Here is a small selection:
Palm Sunday – A symbol of spring and renewal
A particularly beautiful custom practiced in many parts of Croatia is called “Umivanje u cvijeću” – washing with flowers. The day before, spring flowers such as violets are collected and placed in a bowl of water. The custom symbolizes spiritual and physical cleansing and marks the beginning of the Easter season.
In churches, believers have olive or palm branches blessed, and in southern Croatia, especially around Dubrovnik, it is traditional for children to bring woven palm branches with a cross (“pome”) to church. After Easter, the pome are not thrown away but either buried or burned, with the ashes being used for the Ash Wednesday ceremony.
Palm Sunday not only marks the beginning of the Easter celebrations, but also the end of the quiet winter months, from which the country slowly awakens and transitions into spring with lively freshness. This means relaxed strolls through picturesque old towns, plenty of space to enjoy impressive sights, and a laid-back atmosphere in popular destinations such as Dubrovnik.
Guardians of Christ’s Tomb – A tradition from Dalmatia
The Žudije are a traditional Easter custom in Dalmatia, in which twelve men dressed as Roman soldiers symbolically guard the tomb of Christ. The custom begins on Maundy Thursday and reaches its climax on Easter Eve, when the guards dramatically fall to the ground to the sound of bells – as a sign of their horror at the resurrection.
The tradition is particularly well known in Metković, where it has been practiced since the 19th century. While every town in Dalmatia has its own customs, this is the oldest. Metković is located about 1.5 hours from Dubrovnik. Other exciting events are among the many experiences the city has to offer.
These include the folklore festival “Na Neretvu misečina pala” (“Moonlight falls on the Neretva”), the Metković Summer Festival and the traditional boat marathon ‘Maraton Lađa’ on the Neretva.
“Za Krizen” on the island of Hvar – A procession of extraordinary significance
The island of Hvar is not only known for its lavender fields and historic towns, but also for the “Za Krizen” (following the cross) procession that takes place on Maundy Thursday. This procession has become one of the most important religious events in Croatia.
A total of six groups set off simultaneously from six villages on the island of Hvar. Each group follows its own cross bearer, who walks barefoot or in socks for around 25 kilometers through the night, accompanied by choir singers and believers. The processions move in a circle from village to village, but do not meet, and return to their home villages after about eight hours.
This religious tradition, which has existed for over 500 years, is an integral part of Hvar’s identity and has been listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO since 2009.
