Last Friday, the Christmas tree in the Hlavné Námestie square was lit to open this year's Christmas market. (source: TASR)
With the lighting of the Christmas tree on Hlavné Námestie square last Friday evening, the Christmas market in Bratislava officially opened.
The market is divided between Hlavné Námestie square and Hviezdoslavovo Námestie square near the historic building of the Slovak National Theatre. With a short break on Christmas Eve and the holidays, the market will last until January 6, reports Closer.
In addition to various hand-made gifts, decorations and other items, you can also get a taste of various delicacies. As is tradition, you can buy cigánska pečienka (a bun with pork, onion and mustard), lokše (thin potato pancakes), roasted sausages, halušky and many more dishes, including those a little bit on the exotic side like gyoza, bao and churros. However, prices this year have increased compared to last year.
Now, cigánska pečienska generally costs €8, with some stands offering it for €7.50. Last year the traditional bun with pork was sold for €7.
The price for mulled wine has also increased. While in 2023 the price for a cup was between €2 to €3, this year the prices start at €3. The more unusual the wine, the higher the price. A cup of mead now costs €4, a €0.50 increase from last year.
A similar thing happened to a cup of punch with fruit. However, if you can spare the fruit, you can get it for €3.50 at some stands.
Although not a usual Christmas dish, bryndzové halušky, bryndzové pirohy and strapačky can be had at the Christmas market. A single serving of each will cost you €9.50; however, while you receive a 300-gram serving of halušky, the other dishes constitute a 250-gram serving.
A curious thing can be observed when it comes to potato pancakes (zemiakové placky). While last year a single 330-gram potato pancake cost €5, this year you will get a 230-gram one for the same price.
The popular lokše without filling starts at €2.50; depending on the filling the price can increase up to €6.
