Transfers to the airport: on your way to Easter
Easter is coming and is a very important time for Christian countries. In spite of religious sentiment being on the decrease in present times, both believers and non-believers still enjoy many traditions with the same enthusiasm and feeling. In this article we are going to show you some of the most interesting ones in Mallorca and the rest of Europe. Don’t forget that you can use Taxi Pollensa’s airport transfer service to get to the airport to start your Easter break with no hassle or worries.
Enjoy the Davallament (Descent) in Pollensa, with our transfers in Mallorca
The Davallament in Pollensa is one of the most emblematic Easter celebrations in Mallorca. It consists of a procession which some people think is one of the oldest on the island and which could possibly date back to the Templars. Whatever its origins, the Davallament is a delight to the senses. A wooden statue of the Fallen Christ is taken in procession all the way down the Calvario steps.
There are 365 steps in the Calvario which go from the Shrine at the top to the Parish Church in the centre of the town. The Christ is carried down flanked by tall cypress trees and lit by hand held candles, in an atmosphere of solemnity, piety and, above all, a profound silence.
This celebration is well worth seeing if you are going to spend Easter in Mallorca. If this is the case, we can offer you a transfer service from the airport in Mallorca. Which means stress free transport for you.
The Explosion of the Carriage in Florence (Italy)
The Scoppio del Carro as it is called in Italian, is a celebration full of intensity and pyrotechnics. It is based on a tradition originating in the Crusades, more specifically when a Florentine Crusader received three pieces of stone supposedly from the Holy Sepulture as a prize for his bravery.
The celebration consists of two oxen pulling a wooden three tier carriage with the three pieces of stone inside. When the carriage is at the entrance to the Cathedral a metal cable secures it to the main altar. The crowning moment occurs when a metal dove is slid down the metal cable and sets off the pyrotechnical effects. Then the Cathedral is filled with noise and fireworks and the spectacle is contemplated by the awed spectators.
The fireworks symbolize the purifying power of fire which in turn signifies the regeneration of the Resurrection and, it is said, the rebirth of nature in the spring. In any case, this celebration is very dear to the inhabitants of Florence; so much so that many myths exist about it; the most famous one is that when the dove fails to complete its complete run of the cable, disasters will befall Florence. Simply superstition? Of course it is, but, however, the last time that this happened, in 1966, there were serious floods in the city.
Transfer to the airport: experience the Osterrader in Lügde (Germany)
If you are going to take a transfer to the airport in Mallorca to fly somewhere for Easter, we suggest that you see this special celebration which is unique in the world. After Easter eggs, probably one of the most famous German tradition at this time of the year is that known as Osterräder (Easter Wheels). It dates from the 8th century and takes place mainly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, in particular in the small town of Lüdge.
Traditionally six wheels are set on fire and then hurled down a slope. This tradition originates, as many other Easter traditions in Germany, from pagan traditions. In fact, this theory is based on the blazing wheels at night symbolizing the triumph of the sun over the winter. As normally happens, this celebration is full of superstitions; for example, if the wheels end their journey intact, that year will yield a good harvest.
The War of the Jugs in Corfu (Greece)
Corfu is a small Greek island where one of the most curious celebrations of the Resurrection takes place. It is held on the previous day, Easter Saturday, at midday. At that hour all the inhabitants go out on their balconies and throw ceramic jugs to the ground. The noise this makes joins the music played by all the bands in the city and the pealing of all the church bells. In addition, there is the noise of cannon fire from the medieval fortress of the city.
This is both a curious and impressive way to celebrate the Resurrection. It is thought that producing so much noise symbolizes the Resurrection as a waking up process. Therefore the inhabitants of Corfu are attempting to wake Christ up. An alternative interpretation is that the War of the Jugs is pagan in its origins, consisting of an attempt to wake up Proserpina, the goddess of spring, asleep in the Hades.
The decorated fountains in Nyon (Switzerland)
Nyon is a small town of almost 20.000 inhabitants in the west of Switzerland in the French sector. The attractive Easter celebration that takes place there is of relatively recent creation – a little over 30 years – but is extremely popular nevertheless. It consists of decorating the fountains in the centre with symbols of Easter such as rabbits or eggs. This might not sound vey spectacular, but it is, in fact, a wonderful display of imagination and creativity. For this reason, there are guided tours around the best of these beautifully decorated fountains.
Taxis Pollensa: en route to your ideal Easter break with our airport transfers
Whether you ae coming to Mallorca or travelling from the island to anywhere famous for the Easter celebrations, Taxis Pollensa offers you their services. You can also book online if you need a transfer to the airport in Palma from Pollensa or viceversa. Have a good trip!
