Easter in Barcelona and Spain as a whole is a time of rich traditions, processions, and, of course, delicious sweets. One of the most beloved Easter treats in Catalonia is the “Mona de Pascua” (or simply “Mona”), a special cake that holds deep cultural significance. But where does this tradition come from, and how is the Easter Mona celebrated today?
The Origins of the Mona de Pascua
The word “mona” comes from the Arabic term “munna,” meaning “provision” or “gift.” This reflects the cake’s historical roots in Al-Andalus (Muslim-ruled Spain), where it was originally a sweet gift given as a sign of hospitality.
Over time, the Christian tradition adopted the Mona as part of Easter celebrations. In medieval Catalonia, godparents would gift a Mona to their godchildren on Easter Sunday, symbolizing the end of Lent—a period of fasting—and the return of indulgence.
Originally, the Mona was a simple ring-shaped brioche decorated with hard-boiled eggs (symbolizing rebirth and fertility). The number of eggs matched the child’s age, up to 12 (or sometimes until their First Communion).
The Evolution of the Mona
In the 19th century, bakeries began transforming the Mona into an elaborate artistic cake. Instead of just eggs, pastry chefs started crafting chocolate sculptures, turning the Mona into a centerpiece of Easter celebrations.
Today, Monas can be incredibly creative, featuring:
- Chocolate eggs (replacing the original hard-boiled ones)
- Chocolate figures (animals, cartoon characters, or even famous landmarks). These figures are so elaborate, you can mistake them for real items (like a basketball). Complete works of art!
- Cakes with fancy decorations and figures made with chocolate, whipped cream, or burnt yolk.
- Marzipan decorations
- Colorful feathers and sprinkles covering the cakes and chocolate creations, along with little chicks.
Some bakeries compete to make the most extravagant Monas, with designs ranging from football stadiums to dragons.
Modern Easter Mona Traditions in Barcelona
- Family Gatherings & Godparents Gifts
- The tradition of godparents gifting a Mona to their godchildren remains strong, mostly considered a godfather’s duty, although godmothers may also buy one for their godchild.
- Families gather on Easter Monday (a public holiday in Catalonia) for a picnic, often in parks or the countryside or at a family home.
- A small rhyme may be requested to be sung in order to receive the mona, for example: “Pasqua és avui, / la mona la vull. / Doneu-me la mà / que us la vull besar”.
- “Today is Easter, / I want the mona. / Give me your hand / I want to kiss it.”
- The “Tronada” – Breaking the Egg
- A fun tradition involves tapping the Mona’s chocolate egg on someone’s forehead (gently!) while saying a playful rhyme about breaking the egg:
“Mona, moneta, ou i carquinyol, si no es trenca avui, es trencarà demà!”- Roughly translated to “Mona, little mona, egg and carquinyol*, if it doesn’t break today, it will break tomorrow!”
- *Carquinyol is a traditional Catalan dessert, similar to Italian biscotti.
- Roughly translated to “Mona, little mona, egg and carquinyol*, if it doesn’t break today, it will break tomorrow!”
- A fun tradition involves tapping the Mona’s chocolate egg on someone’s forehead (gently!) while saying a playful rhyme about breaking the egg:
- Competitions & Exhibitions
- Many bakeries display their most impressive Monas in shop windows, turning the streets of Barcelona into a sweet art gallery.
- Some regions hold competitions for the best Mona design.
- Beyond Chocolate – Alternative Monas
- While chocolate dominates, some bakeries still make traditional brioche-style Monas with eggs or you can make it at home!
- Vegan and gluten-free versions are also becoming popular.
Where to Find the Best Monas in Barcelona
If you’re in Barcelona during Easter, don’t miss these famous pastry shops:
- Escribà (Las Ramblas) – Known for extravagant chocolate creations.
- La Palma (El Clot) – Bakery with a flare for new designs and fun characters.
- Sanz (Sant Martí) – Local bakery famous for the quality and artisanry of the Monas.
- Foix de Sarrià A classic choice for traditional and creative Monas. In fact, they won the prize for the Best Mona of 2025 in the chocolate category!
- Pastisseria Mauri (L’Eixample)– High-end, artistic designs.
- Daniel’s Cakes (Grácia) – Fun, personalizable cakes.
Here is our mona from 2025. Can you tell what the new obsession in our household is?
It was an instant hit! A half-chocolate egg shell filled with chocolate cream and cake, covered on top with fondant.
Conclusion
The Mona de Pascua is more than just a dessert—it’s a symbol of renewal, rebirth, family bonds, and Catalan creativity. From its humble beginnings as a simple brioche with real hard-boiled eggs to today’s dazzling chocolate masterpieces, the Mona remains a delicious highlight of Easter in Barcelona.
Will you try one this year?
Do you have a favorite Mona memory? Share your Easter traditions in the comments
