MAR: Prague Easter Markets

Various locations in Prague

The 16th of March marks the start of the Easter markets in Prague (Velikonoční trhy) which will be open every day, including the Easter weekend. You will find beautifully decorated stands with the colors of the spring, selling Easter eggs, ceramics, embroidered lace, flowers and many traditional handcrafts, as well as food and drinks. You will also find a special Czech Easter symbol, the Easter pomlázka (from pomladit or “make younger”), a braided whip made from willow twigs and decorated with colorful ribbons symbolizing the spring energy. It has been used for centuries by boys who go caroling on Easter Monday and symbolically whip girls for luck and fertility. In the past, the pomlázka was also used by the farmers to whip the livestock.

Coincidentally, this year the clock will go forward as we change over to the summer time on Easter Sunday.

The largest Easter market in Prague, is the one in Old Town square with folk music and art workshops for children (from mid-afternoon each day, musicians and folk groups dressed in traditional costumes perform short routines on a stage) but other Easter markets are held in various locations across the city.