by InTrieste
Italy is observing two public holidays over the Easter weekend in 2026, marking one of the most widely celebrated periods in the country’s calendar.
Easter Sunday, known as Easter or Pasqua, falls on April 5 this year, followed by Easter Monday, Pasquetta, on April 6. While Easter Sunday is primarily a religious celebration, Pasquetta is a state-recognized public holiday, during which schools and public offices across the country remain closed.
Traditionally, Pasquetta is associated with informal gatherings—picnics in the countryside, seaside excursions, or day trips with friends. The holiday reflects a lighter, more social side of Easter, captured in the Italian saying, “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi” (“Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you want”).
In Trieste, the Easter weekend coincides with a nationwide cultural initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Culture. On Sunday, April 5, the city’s civic museums will offer free admission as part of the monthly “Domenica al Museo” program, which grants complimentary access to participating cultural institutions on the first Sunday of each month.
Among the venues open free of charge are the Museo Revoltella, the Castello di San Giusto, the Museo Teatrale Carlo Schmidl, the Museo della Guerra per la Pace Diego de Henriquez, and the Museo di Storia Naturale.
Museums will remain open on Monday, April 6, under regular hours and ticketing conditions, offering an additional opportunity for visitors during the long weekend. At the Castello di San Giusto, a guided tour is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., providing historical insight into one of the city’s most prominent landmarks.
Several other museums in Trieste—including the Museo del Mare, the Museo d’Arte Orientale, the Museo Sartorio, the Museo d’Antichità J.J. Winckelmann, and the Risiera di San Sabba—offer free admission year-round, independent of the initiative.
Beyond cultural events, Easter in Italy is also marked by culinary traditions. A dove-shaped cake known as Colomba di Pasqua is widely enjoyed during the holiday, while many restaurants, particularly in Rome, feature seasonal dishes such as roast lamb, or abbacchio, on Easter menus.
The Easter holidays precede another national observance later in the month: Festa della Liberazione, celebrated on April 25. In 2026, the anniversary falls on a Saturday, limiting its impact on the workweek for most Italians.
