A Magical Christmas in the Czech Republic

The smell of mulled wine and Christmas sweets, roasted chestnuts in your hands, decorated streets and carols, folk markets and Christmas trees on every square, that’s Christmas in the Czech Republic.

Experience Christmas in the Czech Republic and let yourself be taken away by its festive, relaxed, and magical atmosphere. You certainly won’t regret it.

Non-traditional gifts from traditional craft markets
You can buy interesting, often very original gifts for your loved ones at traditional craft markets. Many old Czech crafts are usually being offered there. You will find various wood-carved sculptures, wooden kitchen utensils, straw Christmas ornaments and straw dolls, pottery, beeswax candles, original jewellery, and glass Christmas-tree decorations. You will certainly want to choose a little bell from one of the blacksmith’s stalls for the Infant Jesus to ring. The smith will make it on the spot right before your eyes. Should you become hungry while shopping, you will be able to taste several traditional delicacies. Those with a sweet tooth will savour the “trdelník” (sweet pastry made from rolled dough usually topped with sugar and walnut mix) or a brandy snap coated in cinnamon and sugar. Visitors preferring something savoury will find a rich offer of sausages and other pig-slaughter delicacies to choose from. Roasted chestnuts are also sure to please your taste buds. And finally, you will certainly be able to keep yourself warm with a cup of mead, mulled wine or punch. The most beautiful Christmas markets in Prague are on Old Town Square and are open until 1 January next year. Smaller markets also can be found at Náměstí Míru (Peace Square) and Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square). A traditional Christmas fair was prepared in the courtyard of the baroque Kuks chateau or in Český Krumlov. There is a rich accompanying programme, too.

Czech Republic – a country of nativity scenes
Czech people have a special liking for nativity scenes, and thus you will find hundreds, possibly even thousands of them. On the squares, near the Christmas markets, you can find directly under the tree live nativity scenes created especially for children. There, young visitors can pet a donkey, lamb or perhaps a goat. During the Christmas holidays, nativity scenes are of course displayed in every church. The Czech Republic, though, also has several museums that specifically focus on nativity scenes. Probably the most famous “Mecca” of nativity scenes is Třebechovice pod Orebem. The collections of this museum include over 300 nativity scenes created from various materials, the most prized of which is Probošt’s mechanical nativity scene. It is created from more than 2,000 mechanical parts. The Museum of Paper Crèches in Zábrdí u Husince in Southern Bohemia is undoubtedly worth seeing. There are around 800 paper crèches created all around the world. The biggest crèche measures almost 4 metres, while the smallest can fit in a matchbox. The museum is open all year round and admission is free. Near Prague, you can visit the Nativity Museum in Karlštejn. Apart from mechanical crèches, you also will see such rarities as mangers made from sugar or bread.

Christmas at castles and chateaux
You can make your Christmas holiday more pleasant with a visit to some Czech castles or chateaux. Křivoklát Castle, for example, is open to visitors from December 26 through the end of the year. Special Christmas tours are prepared for interested parties from 26 to 31 December at the chateau in Horšovský Týn. You can enjoy the festive atmosphere at Loket Castle as well.