Prague: Festive - A Christmas Fairy Tale
Written by: Tereza Lysakova
A winter walk through freezing Advent Prague is really amazing. The whole city breaths with a special festive atmosphere and emits nearly magical and fairytale vibes. Almost all the streets in the Prague city center are illuminated by a thousand of beautiful lights and decorations and the smell of mulled vine, cinnamon, roasted chestnuts and other Christmas goodies fills the air at the Christmas markets. Or let's say usually as this year is a bit different.
The Old Town Square in Prague is the heart of Christmas celebrations (normally) with traditional markets and the biggest decorated Christmas tree in the Czech Republic. And I have to say that this year the tree is truly marvelous. Also, the Wenceslas Square usually hosts the traditional markets and a (smaller) Christmas tree and beautiful decorations on trees through its whole length. But it is not only the Old Town Square and the Wenceslas Square. In fact, in almost every bigger square you will pass on your winter stroll, you might see a decorated Christmas Tree. Which is really nice. π
Not far from the Old Town Square is the PaΕΓΕΎskΓ‘ Street (the Paris street in translation) where one of the most expensive shops and boutiques in Prague are located. I am not going to the shops there, though. π But I like going through this street during the Christmas walk, because it is lined by beautiful trees on both sides for the whole length of the street and the trees are decorated with endless white light chains, creating a very nice and delightful atmosphere.
The Old Town Square is also a place where you can (normally) hear beautiful Christmas carols performed by various children choirs as a special stage for concerts is usually built there. And the traditional Czech Christmas Mass, written by the Czech composer Jakub Jan Ryba, is usually on the agenda of the majority of the Czech churches during the Advent time.
So, although this year is a bit different, without the traditional markets, festive traditions and sparkling Christmas parties, we still have the Christmas trees and the beautiful Christmas decorations, we can listen to the carols and the traditional Christmas music at home and with the right mindset we can still enjoy the true spiritual atmosphere Christmas brings. π
To be honest, I have been in a Christmas mood for quite a while already. π I am baking cakes and I am listening to the Christmas carols and I am so looking forward to enjoying the upcoming festive atmosphere.
I hope you will enjoy the photos of Advent Prague (taken while keeping all the requirements of social distancing and wearing a face mask) and I hope you will enjoy Christmas as much as I do under these unusual times and circumstances.
Merry Christmas (Happy Holiday Season)! π
Images credit: Tereza Lysakova