Every Easter Monday, the faithful assemble at churches to hear the Gospel about Jesus’s disciples on their way to Emmaus. Cracovians flock to the Emmaus indulgence fair at the Church of the Holy Saviour and the Norbertine convent in Zwierzyniec. They have been doing so for centuries – according to historians, the Christian indulgence tradition dates back as far as the 12th century, and in fact it may be even older and have roots in pagan rites celebrated during the spring equinox.
In the past, the event was steeped in spirituality, but since the 19th century it has been a huge folk fete with stalls selling toys and confectionery, and competitions such as hitting a target with a rag ball or climbing a greasy pole. At the turn and at the beginning of the 21st century, the market was overwhelmed by the ubiquitous colourful plastic, although there also was a return to more traditional toys such as wooden figures and clay whistle. The year 2022 brought new organisers (Kraków Cultural Forum as the commission of the City of Kraków) and new ideas to sustain, develop and promote the intangible heritage of Kraków.
Welcome to one of the most colourful, as well as oldest and longest Kraków traditions!
