The Easter period is a truly wonderful time to visit Gozo – the island’s lush countryside is a rainbow of colours with nature’s fresh awakening, while Holy Week and Easter celebrations, commemorating the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, offer a unique experience imbued with authenticity and deep-rooted traditions.

Celebrations kick off a week before Good Friday (which this year falls on 7 April), with the sombre procession of Our Lady of Sorrows along the streets of Victoria and several other villages.

Next comes the jubilation of Palm Sunday, reminiscent of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, another important celebration in Gozo’s Easter calendar of events. On this day, the faithful crowd carries palm fronds and olive branches as it is led by priests robed in red.

Palm Sunday signals the beginning of Holy Week, a week that commands utmost devotion by the Catholic Church. The faithful flock to the liturgical services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. On Maundy Thursday, the majority of churches and chapels are open till late at night for the traditional pilgrimage known as ‘the seven visits’ – a meditative journey of prayer and worship.

This is a perfect time to wander around Victoria and visit the many, often-overlooked churches and chapels, which typically feature an artistic representation of Christ’s sepulchre, beautifully adorned with elaborate flower displays and are filled with the scent of incense. Outside, various church parvises feature flickering candlelit displays, creating an evocative ambience.

The solemn days of the Holy Week in Gozo are filled with cultural experiences for the visitor – most towns and villages organise religious exhibitions, sacred concerts, pageants and processions. The latter offer an opportunity to witness the deep-rooted devotion of the participants, many of whom hide their identity behind full-head hoods as they haul heavy ankle chains in penitence or ex-voto.

Your Easter visit would be incomplete without a trek up Għammar Hill – a winding path with 14 beautiful white Carrara marble statues representing scenes from the Stations of the Cross, offering a journey of personal reflection or meditation for both believers and non, alike. The views at the top are impressive, and definitely worth the hike.

If you’re in the area in the evening, you can also check out the ‘Drive Through’ on the way to the Ta’ Pinu shrine – just one of the many Easter Events being organised in Gozo this year!

Easter in Gozo is not all about dark overtones, however. The island’s Holy Week and Easter traditions offer a unique culinary aspect too. Since during Lent several people fast and engage in abstinence and penance, this has led to the creation of traditional dishes you might want to try, including frugal non-meat dishes like artichokes stuffed with tuna, olives, garlic and capers or delectable tuna and spinach pies or qassatat. Intended to be semi-sweet, kwareżimal, hot cross buns and Apostles’ rings are also the ideal substitute if you’re craving something sweet.

Celebrations come to an end on Easter Sunday and the week’s gloomy tone begins to be shed during the Saturday night Easter vigil service. As the jubilant church celebrates the Resurrection with the joyful processions of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday morning, make sure to get hold of traditional Easter figolli from artisanal bakers. Made of sweet pastry and loaded with fragrant, sweet almond paste filling, figolli are perhaps Malta’s all-time favourite traditional food and make the perfect gift to take back home!

For a full programme of events click here.