Historians believe he brought the concept back to Italy where it became the pignatta, or “fragile pot,” and became a staple in celebrations during Lent. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily ...

But the most traditional style of pinata is a sphere with seven spiky ... though falling pieces of the clay pot posed a bit of a hazard. But the tradition goes back even further.

For more than four decades, the Pinata Party Palace, located on Cesar Chavez Street in East Austin, has remained steadfastly anchored to the past while the world around it has changed. Glassy ...