Private guide in Prague
Easter in Prague 2017
Easter
is a very important Christian holiday, and in Prague it is celebrated
very much in that spirit. It is also a holiday time when families
travel and get together. While walking Prague’s paved streets you
will notice market stalls and flower decorations, Easter eggs smiling
from shop windows. The most common sight is brightly coloured,
hand-painted Easter eggs, which Czech ladies dressed in traditional
costume can personalise for you by painting on a name or a special
message and a number of popular customs and traditions pervade.
Among
the most characteristic is the pussy willow “pomlázka” on Easter
Monday. In this tradition, boys and men visit their classmates, girl
friends and neighbours to symbolically lash them with switches
braided into a so-called “pomlázka”. In certain regions, local
girls are splashed with cold water rather than whipped. Though this
tradition is typically enjoyed more by men, women do not entirely
resist: after all, it is supposed to bring them beauty and vivacity
for the whole of the next year. This explains why they even reward
their assailants with coloured eggs, sweets and refreshments! In
villages, the custom of walking around the neighbourhood with rattles
and clappers has remained to this day. These noisemakers, rather than
bells, are used to call worshippers to church, as from Holy Thursday
to Holy Saturday the bells fall silent in token of the mourning for
Christ’s martyrdom
Visitors
can observe traditional foods being made, sample all manner of local
produce and try some local specialities. Try the “lamb”
sponge-cake with sugar or chocolate frosting, sweet buns from yeast
dough, Easter gingerbread cookies, Easter dressing with young
nettles, spring vegetable soup, sweet rolls (“jidáše”, or Judas
rolls) glazed with honey, or crunchy fried “God’s graces”
coated in powdered sugar. To quench your thirst, there are the famous
Czech beers - Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen and Budvar - and a variety
of warm drinks on offer. Outdoor shopping is so much nicer with an
ice-cold beer or a cup of hot mulled wine (svařené víno or svařák)
in your hand!
As
well as enjoying the bright colours and spring flowers that decorate
the markets, children can visit a farmyard pen to feed and stroke
sheep, goats and a donkey. And on the Old Town Square stage, local
children participate in Easter themed activities, making Easter
chicks, painting eggs and flower pots, and cutting colourful ribbons.
The
Prague Easter markets are free to enter. By staying in the city
centre, whenever you fancy dropping in you can leave your hotel and
be in the midst of the markets in minutes. Grab a drink, soak up the
atmosphere, and when you're ready to freshen up it's just a short
walk home.
Aside
from the markets, there is a range of entertainment and sightseeing
on offer. In particular we would recommend buying a ticket for a
classical concert. At this time of year there are some wonderful
performances in the city's ancient churches and grand concert halls.
The opera and ballet season is also in full swing, with performances
proving popular at the Prague opera houses.
If
you are ever planning a trip to Prague, we would highly recommend
Easter as the time to visit. Happy Easter!
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