News
Polish wet Monday
05 April 2006
Across Poland Easter Monday is always wet with the tradition of Smigus Dyngus, or Wet Monday.
It is the custom for children and adults, mostly boys and men, to take out their water pistols and buckets to drench friends and family.
The origins of the custom are lost in history, but some believe it dates back to when King Mieszko I and his entire court were baptised on Easter Monday 966AD.
In Krakow and the squares of the old Jewish district of Kazimierz children can be found throwing water at each other and visitors too if they get too close.
Kazimierz recently has been revived, after being neglected for many years as the historic centre of Krakow - one of the few cities to remain largely undamaged by World War II took much of tourists' attention.
Nightlife in Kazimierz centres on ulica Szeroka - which means Wide Street although it more resembles a town square - with many individual bars, restaurants and cafes.
During the day, visitors come to see Jewish Kazimierz. The district's Jewish population fell during the Nazi occupation but parts of the ghetto wall and Schindler's factory, made famous in the Spielberg film, still stand.
© Adfero Ltd
It is the custom for children and adults, mostly boys and men, to take out their water pistols and buckets to drench friends and family.
The origins of the custom are lost in history, but some believe it dates back to when King Mieszko I and his entire court were baptised on Easter Monday 966AD.
In Krakow and the squares of the old Jewish district of Kazimierz children can be found throwing water at each other and visitors too if they get too close.
Kazimierz recently has been revived, after being neglected for many years as the historic centre of Krakow - one of the few cities to remain largely undamaged by World War II took much of tourists' attention.
Nightlife in Kazimierz centres on ulica Szeroka - which means Wide Street although it more resembles a town square - with many individual bars, restaurants and cafes.
During the day, visitors come to see Jewish Kazimierz. The district's Jewish population fell during the Nazi occupation but parts of the ghetto wall and Schindler's factory, made famous in the Spielberg film, still stand.
© Adfero Ltd
