2011-06-10

Lajkonik Festival

Celebrating the Polish defeat of the savage Tarters from the Golden Horde in 1241, Lajkonik is Krakow's annual procession through the Old Town, starting from 12th-century St Norbert's Convent. Ending in the Market Square, parties continue until the early hours.

Always taking place on the Thursday after Corpus Christi, the procession sees a colourfully dressed rider on his wooden horse go through the city, accompanied by a band and outriders.

The Tarter defeat is also commemorated daily by the Hejnal
trumpet call, played every hour on the hour from Market Square church. The tune is rudely interrupted as the legend goes that a trumpet player was shot through the throat as he was warning the medieval town of the approaching enemy.

When: 10 Jun 2011

Where: Krakow, Poland

From: whatsonwhen.com

last modification: 2011-01-10
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