Safer Christmas tree for the Old Town Square

Prague is now awaiting the start of Christmas markets. The main Christmas markets will be on the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square from 2nd December. Today the big Christmas tree will arrive in Prague.

The tree for the Old Town Square is being cut today in Krkonose National Park. It is a 22 meters long pine tree that weighs 9 tons. The diameter of the tree trunk is 80 cm in the height of 1,3 m above the ground. The tree has been checked whether it is in a good state. It will appear on the Old Town Square on 28th November.

But why is so much attention paid to the Christmas tree? It is because an accident that happened in 2003. 25 meters long Christmas tree fell on people and injured 5 of them. British tourist Malcolm Tuffin sustained fracture of thigh-bones and thoracic spine, allegedly he still walks with a staff. The accident was caused by gusts of wind and softwood. The organizers want to make sure that nothing like that happens again.