You might imagine an Italian Easter revolves around going to mass, exchanging chocolate eggs and sitting down to roast lamb. But there's more to it than that. In towns and cities across the country, Easter celebrations involve quirky traditions of sometimes mysterious origins. Here are some of the strangest, which you should definitely try to check out if you find yourself in Italy for Easter.

Puppet Burtning: On the southern heel of Italy, around Gallipoli, puppets are hung from balconies all over town at the start of Lent, representing a witch – known as La Caremma – traditionally dressed all in black. She might be holding a spindle or an orange as a symbol of abstinence and frugality during the 40-day period, and is usually decorated with seven feathers, one for each Sunday of Lent. On Easter Sunday, the puppets are burnt in a symbolic gesture to drive out bad spirits and welcome back Christ.