Astypalea's aura and energy in Easter

Everyone chooses Astypalea for its aura and energy! An alternative and butterfly-shaped destination, invites you to discover its colors and scents at Easter. Visit beautiful Astypalea and immerse yourself in the worshipful atmosphere of the wonderful "Cyclad" of the Dodecanese.

Green comes to life, the sea is tamed and the blue of the sky overflows and bathes the painted landscape. The rocks of Astypalea are full of herbs, thyme, sage and peppertree. The wildflowers are blooming, as are the inhabitants of the island. Colors and fragrances everywhere!

Orthodox Easter in Greece with its local customs and traditions, is observed in every house and dinner table. The Passion and the Resurrection of Christ in Astypalea, is an alternative proposal to experience based on the physiology, the local culture and the culture of the island.

On Holy Thursday after attending church, the housewives dye eggs and make the traditional Easter bread for the ‘Lampri’ (Easter Sunday), with the red egg dominating the middle of the bread. Good Friday is the peak of Christ's divine drama with his Descent from the Cross and Burial. In the evening the procession of the Epitaph takes place in the alleys of Chora with the faithful following the procession with candles. Meeting point is the main square of Chora, where it meets the epitaph of Agios Nikolaos as well, in sombre atmosphere.

The protagonists are the daisies, a rosy sky and some wonderful cookies; yellow, made with saffron - the flower of the wild crocus of the island - and the love of our grandmother. Astypalean savoury cookies with saffron ‘Kitrinokouloura’, traditional pies ‘lampropites’ and local pies ‘pouggia’ with wild saffron and local cheese ‘hlori’, so tasty that "the mother eats but does not share with her children'' (loose translation) as a popular Greek proverb says! Housewives prepare the traditional dish called "Gemisto" (“stuffed”) for the Easter Sunday meal, i.e. lamb or goat stuffed with rice, livers and spices. The wood-fired oven is lit and slowly roasts the meat overnight. Let's not forget dessert, the “lazarakia'' made from freshly-kneaded dough with cinnamon and sugar! The island on Saturday smells of cinnamon and sugar!

When the clock strikes midnight, on Saturday, the residents and visitors of the island gather in Agios Nikolaos, Gialos or Panagia Portaitissa or Megali Panagia, in Chora and St. Dimitrios in Maltezana to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, huddled together in the spirit of great religious devotion. Fireworks take centre stage.

On Easter Sunday, the violin and the lute take the spotlight against the backdrop of the endless blue of the Aegean. Before the Easter meal, however, it is worth watching the “burning of Judas” custom. A human effigy is hung on a wooden pole, marking the beginning of the Easter feast, to the sounds of the violin and lute.

Let’s spend Easter on the island so we enjoy beautiful and peaceful days.

For making your holiday experience even more special, visit Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel in the heart of Chora situated in a dreamy setting against the endless blue of the Aegean, the white Chora of Astypalea and the imposing Castle in the background. Take advantage of our Easter offer and experience Astypalean’s Easter customs and traditions.