Easter (Wielkanoc) is the most important holiday in the Polish calendar, and Krakow celebrates with a depth of tradition that predates tourism. Even if you're not religious, witnessing Easter in Krakow is a cultural experience of the first order.
The week leading up to Easter is key. Palm Sunday (Niedziela Palmowa) features processions with elaborate decorated palms - some several meters tall. Holy Thursday through Saturday, churches throughout Krakow display "Easter Tombs" (Groby Panske) - ornate tableaux depicting Christ's burial. Visiting multiple churches to compare their tombs is a beloved tradition.
Easter Saturday morning (Swiecenie pokarmow), families bring baskets of symbolic foods to church for blessing - bread, eggs, salt, sausage, horseradish, and a sugar lamb. The early morning queues at churches across the city are a beautiful sight.
Easter Monday brings Smigus-Dyngus (Lany Poniedzialek) - a tradition of dousing people with water. Young people armed with water guns and buckets take to the streets. You will get wet. Embrace it or stay indoors.
Easter food: zurek (sour rye soup) and white borscht are essential, along with babka (Easter cake), mazurek (flat decorated cake), and painted Easter eggs.
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