PRAGUE
Dates:
Until 13 January
Where:
‘
Good King Wenceslas first
looked out…’ In Wenceslas Square the
snow may well be round about, but it’s the
Christmas market stalls and huge artificial
tree that will catch your eye. It ends 13
January. Also head to Old Town Square;
it’s the busier and prettier market, and is
surrounded by Gothic, Renaissance and
Baroque architecture. This time the tree,
adorned with hundred of lights that go on
at 5pm, is genuine. Ends 1 January.
Happy Christmas!
Prejeme Vam
Vesele Vanoce!
Local traditions
On 5 December, it is
Mikulas, or St Nicholas Day. He roams
the Old Town Square, accompanied by an
angel and a demon, from 4 to 7pm. The
kids enjoy it. Stalls sell wooden
toys, Czech marionettes, handmade
jewellery and Bohemian crystal,
frankincense or the Christmas pot pourri,
purpura
.
Czech carols enliven the market
in Old Town Square. Christmas Eve is the
most festive day in the Czech Republic as
there is an open-air mass at 9pm at the
Old Town Square.
To eat
Wine sausages and carp. Enjoy, as
only selected restaurants are open at this
time of year.
What tipple?
Mead and
svarne vino
(
sweet mulled wine) and a warm honey
liquor,
medovina.
Candy time
Honeyed gingerbread,
vánockvka
(
braided pastry studded with
raisons) and
vosí hnízda
(‘
wasps’ nests’ –
nutty cookies heavy with rum).
TOP:
WENCESLAS SQUARE DECKED OUT IN FESTIVE
CHEER.
ABOVE:
STALLS SELLING WOODEN GIFTS
38
WIZZ MAGAZINE
DECEMBER-JANUARY 2012/13
FEATURE
CHR I STMAS MARKETS
