Sportella Festival, a celebration with traditional sweets in Rio nell'Elba

For centuries, the Sportella Festival has been celebrated on Easter Monday at the Hermitage of Santa Caterina (Rio nell'Elba). Sportella is the traditional sweet for lovers from Rio nell'Elba.

According to tradition, on Palm Sunday a suitor would have a basket of flowers delivered to the young woman together with a “cerimito”, a “masculine” sweet that has almost disappeared from tradition, but whose production has recently been revived by an Elban company. If the young woman accepted the gift and therefore the declaration of love, on Easter Day she would reciprocate by having a blessed sportella delivered to him.

Then, on Easter Monday, all the young people, local residents, the parish priest and the band would set off in procession and arrive at the Hermitage of Santa Caterina. After celebrating Mass together, the young couples could meet and spend some time together.

Infoelba recommends: For details of the event, visit elbaeventi.it!