Easter Fair in Kraków
Misteria Paschalia, Emaus Fair and śmigus-dyngus (Wet Monday)
Itinerary
During this several-day stay, we will present you with the Easter face of Kraków. We will tell you about the history and traditions of Easter, and we will show you around the royal city, full of legends and secrets.
Day 1
Misteria Cracoviensis
It is best to start your stay in the former capital of Poland with a walk around its mediaeval centre, which is full of stories and extraordinary secrets. You will see the Main Square, the Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Church, Collegium Maius and Floriańska Street, the most famous promenade in Kraków.
After dinner served in a local restaurant, we will invite you to a unique Easter concert as part of the Misteria Paschalia Festival, one of the most recognisable and important events devoted to early music in Europe.
Day 2
A day of great silence
Easter Saturday is a time of silence and waiting. On this day, the food is taken to the church to be blessed. According to tradition, the basket should contain eggs – a symbol of new life, salt, bread, butter, meat foods and horseradish, Easter cake and a lamb – a symbol of the victory of good over evil.
The guide will show you around the Wawel Hill and take you to the Easter Fair, where you will discover Kraków stalls full of goods. You will be able to buy Oscypek (sheep’s cheese), gingerbread, sausages, as well as wicker baskets, colourful Easter palms and intricately decorated Easter eggs.
In the afternoon, we will take you to Wieliczka to visit the historic salt mine, where you will see the largest underground temple in Poland, entirely made of salt.
Day 3
Happy Easter!
Easter Sunday is the most important day of the year for all Christians. A time of joy and celebration, so you will start this day with a festive, Old-Polish breakfast, which will include products from the blessed basket.
In the afternoon you will go on a tour of the former Jewish district of Kazimierz and learn about the fate of the ghetto in Podgórze.
In the evening, we will take you to a concert of choral music, which will take place in the historic church in the Old Town.
Day 4
On the way to Emmaus
Easter Monday is called ‘Wet Monday’ or ‘śmigus-dyngus’. According to tradition, this is a cleansing day, and the best way to do that is to pour water over yourself; fun for all generations who forget about good manners for one day of the year.
On Easter Monday we will take you to the colourful Emmaus Fair. Its tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when on the second day of Easter there was a religious procession from Kraków to the village outside the city walls.
In the evening you will take part in the final concert of the Misteria Paschalia Festival.
Day 5
Time to say goodbye
You can spend the last moments before leaving beautiful Kraków at the Easter Fair, enjoying its unique atmosphere or visit the Rynek Undeground.
For fans of medieval traditions, we recommend a walk to the Krakus Mound, which on this day turns into a field of knightly battles. On the occasion of the Rękawka holiday, a festival is organised there, during which you can learn about the lifestyle, costumes, crafts and weapons of the ancient Slavs.
We hope that the time spent in Kraków will be exceptional and that you will return home with a head full of beautiful memories.
