Easter is one of the most important religious holidays in Romania, celebrated by the majority of Orthodox Christians, being an event for which Romanians prepare in advance and to which they pay special attention. What we celebrate at Easter is the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking the victory over death.
From a gastronomic point of view, Easter in Romania is associated with various traditions such as painting eggs or making cozonac. Cooking lamb delicacies (such as drobul or lamb steak) is one of the many Romanian Easter traditions.
If we think about what Easter means in the family, we can say that this holiday is also an occasion of joy and reunion for families and friends, being a time to emphasize the traditions and values of the Romanian community. Thus, most Easter customs in Romania are passed down in the family from generation to generation, which is the main source from which children, from an early age, receive the most valuable information about Easter.
Easter traditions and customs in Transylvania
Transylvania has been inhabited over time by different communities including Romanians, Hungarians, Saxons and other minorities, and their diversity has influenced local traditions and customs. We can say that Transylvanian traditions are a unique cultural mosaic, representing the richness and diversity of this region.
The Easter holiday is full of meaningful customs and traditions. For example, in some areas there is an old custom of decorating trees by village lads. On Saturday they decorate a beautiful and attractive tree using colorful ribbons. After dark, they visit the houses of the most beautiful girls in the village and hang the trees on their doors. In the morning, the girls may find one or more trees at the gate and if they have been paying attention, they will know if their chosen one is among those who have visited her house, a ritual of choosing marriage partners.
In the Transylvanian region, the Easter tradition is also dedicated to family members who have left this world. More specifically, people decorate fir branches for the last deceased family member and take them to church to be consecrated. They are decorated with candy and pretzels which are then given to people in need.
The “sprinkling” of girls is another tradition specific to this area and is one of the best known. It is a Hungarian Easter custom, and it is believed that sprinkling clean or perfumed water on girls brings good luck, health and beauty and protects them from evil and disease. It is also said that women who are soaked at Easter will be more likely to marry or have a happy life. On the second day of Easter, the village boys gather and dress up in their best traditional costumes and go to the girls’ houses to bring them good wishes in exchange for which they are rewarded with wine, eggs and cake.
Easter in Transylvania – an unforgettable gastronomic experience
Gastronomy is key when it comes to Easter, and food plays an important role in religious celebrations and cultural traditions
👉 Discover traditions and customs in Transylvania!
Transylvania offers an unforgettable gastronomic experience, as the region is rich in Easter traditions and customs and specific dishes that are prepared with care and passion by the locals. Easter is one of the most important holidays in Transylvania, and gastronomy occupies a central place in the celebration of this event.
One of the most popular traditional Easter dishes is roast lamb, prepared with aromatic herbs and spices to accentuate its delicious taste. Also a popular choice is lamb sarmali, a savory mixture of lamb and rice cooked in pickled cabbage leaves.
Drobul is a traditional dish eaten at Easter and is highly appreciated in Romanian gastronomy, being prepared from lamb offal (liver, lungs, heart), mixed with eggs, onions, greens (parsley, dill), rice and spices. Traditionally, it is served with dyed red eggs and other dishes specific to the holiday. Drobul brings the joy and nostalgia of a well-known and much-loved culinary tradition into Romanians’ homes.
Another delicacy specific to Transylvanian Easter traditions is the cozonac, a dessert that is prepared with great care and dedication. Made from sweet, fluffy pastry, filled with popovers, nuts or dried fruit, it is an important part of the festive Easter meal.
The dessert category also includes pasca, a kind of cake, similar to cozonac, which is a must on the table at Easter. It is made from leavened dough and filled with a rich mixture of sweet cheese, eggs, cream, raisins, lemon zest and vanilla. Pasca is a culinary delight appreciated by Romanians and is an important part of the Easter tradition in Romania.
Other delights from Transylvania
If you’ve made it to these parts, it would be a pity not to try other culinary specialties, such as the famous cabbage a la Cluj. What’s special about this recipe is that the ingredients are layered like a musaca. You can use either fresh or pickled cabbage, and add rice and cream.
If you’re a fan of traditional tastes, then you must try bulzul ardelenesc, a traditional Romanian dish, steeped in history and authenticity, which will conquer you with its unique and tasty flavors. Full of simple, yet tasty ingredients, bulzul ardelenesc is a culinary delight that will transport you into the traditional atmosphere of the mountains and the Romanian village.
When you start your vacation in Transylvania a few days before Easter, you can indulge in sarmale with pods, being a fasting product.
Easter table traditions
Egg cracking is one of the oldest and best-kept traditions at the Easter table. They are traditionally decorated with specific patterns and colors and are considered a symbol of rebirth and fertility, and the process of painting eggs is a fun and creative activity for the whole family. Those with Easter superstitions start the first day of Easter by consuming an egg for good health for the rest of the year.
Easter dishes are not just a way to celebrate the holiday, but also an opportunity to bring the family together and spend time around the table. Traditional culinary dishes are passed down from generation to generation and carry a strong emotional and spiritual charge, and the Verde Valley has prepared a complete Easter experience for you in 2024, in case you haven’t decided what you’re doing for Easter yet.
👉 See what surprises are waiting for you at Easter in the Green Valley and let yourself be carried away in the fascinating world of traditions and gastronomy.
In addition to the culinary delights and the rustic and cozy accommodation, you can enjoy plenty of relaxing activities if you opt for the spa cottage or adrenaline-pumping activities such as cycling, horse-drawn carriage rides or even the famous truffle hunt. So if you don’t know what to do for Easter this year, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
Other Easter traditions in Romania
The regions of our country are home to a variety of Easter traditions, and Romanians value the continuation and respect of these traditions because it keeps in touch with previous generations and promotes the values and customs of a society. You can find all sorts of Easter traditions in Romania, each with its own significance. By analyzing which Easter customs and traditions Romanians observe year after year, we can conclude that most of them are meant to bring good luck, abundance and health.
There are Easter traditions for children, too, as they enjoy the presents they get from the good bunny. He brings sweets, toys or even new clothes.
Traditions and customs from Muntenia
One of the most interesting Easter traditions among Romanians, especially those from the Muntenia region, is that of washing one’s face with water in which a red egg has been left overnight. This is a symbol of resurrection and new life in the Orthodox Christian tradition, with the significance of bringing good luck and protection against evil. Traditional red Easter eggs are believed to be purifying and bring good health and well-being to those who eat them or use them in various rituals.
Easter customs and traditions in Moldova
In the Moldavian area you can meet a special tradition. On Resurrection night, people celebrate with bangs or gunshots, meaning that these noises have the power to drive away evil spirits. For a fruitful year for crops, people usually throw poppy seeds into the rivers, as they are believed to prevent drought. Other Easter traditions in Moldova include going to church on Easter night, bringing holy light into the home and greeting with the phrase “Christ is Risen!”
Easter traditions in Maramureș
Maramureș is recognized for the way locals preserve and pass on traditions from generation to generation, including Easter traditions. In this area all members of the family used to eat from the first egg they laid for good luck. In this region you’ll find traditional Easter eggs, which are carved with wax. The process is a painstaking and creative one, in which the eggs are first cleaned and prepared for decorating, then the wax is heated to become liquid and manageable. Using special tools, such as a fine-tipped pen or a chopstick, the wax is applied to the raw egg, creating unique designs.
Transylvanian traditions are considered special due to the cultural and historical diversity specific to this region, influenced by different ethnicities and communities that have lived and lived together for centuries. Spending the Easter holidays here will bring you in touch with all this and leave you with unforgettable memories.
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