The market season at Jiřák for this year will kick off on Wednesday, March 19. It will operate regularly on weekdays, making it accessible to the people living in Vinohrady and Žižkov from Wednesday to Friday (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM) and on Saturdays (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM). You will once again have the opportunity to shop from your favorite vendors, offering everything from fresh vegetables to a wide array of tasty snacks.
As we slowly move closer to spring, the market will soon have the arrival of the first herbs, flowers, and spring vegetables, indicators of the new agricultural season. However, we will have to be patient a bit longer, so in the meantime, we can enjoy some vitamins from the delicious Czech root vegetables, potatoes, apples, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
The first market and the three carrots
The inaugural day of the farmers’ market will be celebrated with the market’s symbol starting from eight in the morning, followed by a festive program beginning at two in the afternoon. Kids will have the chance to win prizes from the carrot throwing contest. Both children and adults who come dressed in colorful carrot costumes will receive a small gift. The event known as Three Carrot Day will also encourage participants to wear “carrot” pants, with rewards for the wearers. The main goal of this cheerful spring event is to officially open the market with a festive atmosphere and to invite everyone to join in, especially since the market is moving to a new site, in front of the school on Nightingale Street. However, it is expected that they will return to their previous location in front of the Church of the Sacred Heart soon.
Currently, the square is still enclosed by construction barriers. Michal Vronský, the mayor of Prague 3, will address what construction work is taking place behind those fences. The market’s organizers, along with the vendors, hope that the diverse offerings at Jiřák will not only retain its loyal customers but also attract new ones. After two in the afternoon, attendees will be treated to competitions and prizes. The mayor will be there alongside Jan Houkal, the parish priest of the iconic Sacred Heart Church, and headmistress Jana Petřinová, as they together cut a large carrot cake to officially launch this year’s market season.
Jiřák undergoing reconstruction, markets will be held in front of the school
Beginning in 2024, work will start on the Revitalization of Jiřího z Poděbrad Square. This project is designed by architects Miroslav Cikán and Pavla Melková from the MCA studio, who won a public competition in 2017. The renovation will include a complete overhaul of road surfaces, making them wider and more level, alongside landscaping the orchard and updating the public lighting. Additionally, there will be new sewer lines, water distribution systems, and retention and storage tanks. The goal of the revitalization is to create a high-quality public space that allows for maximum pedestrian traffic, making it enjoyable for people to spend their leisure time there. Completion is projected for September 2026.
After the revitalization is completed, the square will still host cultural events. This year, the designated area will indeed be the old site. The markets are set to return to their original position in 2025 in front of the school on Nightingale Street. The revitalization will also expand the area of the square, so the nearby lawns won’t be harmed moving forward. There will be flowerbeds planted along the path leading to the church with trees that will provide pleasant shade during warmer days. The current asphalt will be replaced with permeable gravel paving and a gravel base to promote water retention and evaporation. Watering will be managed through a reservoir that collects stormwater from the church’s roof.
