Christmas Markets in Prague

Prague's history stretches back over a millennium, with the castle founded in the ninth century and the city becoming the seat of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors. The reign of Charles IV in the fourteenth century marked a golden age when Charles Bridge and the cathedral were begun, establishing Prague as a major European cultural center. The city's stunning architecture survived the world wars largely intact, preserving its medieval and baroque character through centuries of Habsburg rule, Czechoslovak independence, the communist era, and the peaceful Velvet Revolution of 1989.

Christmas markets have been part of Prague's winter tradition for centuries, with roots in Central European festive culture. The modern markets at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square developed prominence after 1989, blending Czech crafts and culinary traditions with broader European Christmas market customs. Today these markets reflect both the city's medieval heritage and its renewed place as a crossroads of European celebration.