A Tapestry of Colors – Experiencing Palm Sunday in Łyse

Destination: Łyse, Kurpie Region, Masovian Voivodeship

If you want to witness one of the most visually spectacular spring traditions in Europe, you need to head to the small village of Łyse in Poland’s Kurpie region. Palm Sunday here is not just a religious observance; it is an explosion of color, folk art, and community pride that draws travelers from all over the world. Because real palm leaves do not grow in the Polish climate, locals have spent centuries perfecting the art of the palma wielkanocna (Easter palm), and the Kurpie region has its own distinct, mesmerizing style.

Arriving in Łyse on the morning of Palm Sunday feels like stepping into a living painting. The streets are lined with locals dressed in traditional Kurpian folk costumes. The women wear intricately embroidered blouses, heavy velvet bodices, and flower crowns, while the men don sturdy woolen trousers and distinctive hats. But the real stars of the show are the palms themselves. Unlike the slender woven palms you might see elsewhere, Kurpian palms are towering columns of vibrant color. They are constructed around a sturdy wooden pole, tightly wrapped with thousands of handmade tissue-paper flowers, ribbons, and evergreen branches.

The highlight of the travel experience is the annual palm competition and the subsequent procession to the historic wooden church of St. Anna. Standing in the crowd as dozens of these vibrant creations—some reaching up to 10 meters tall—are carried through the streets is awe-inspiring. The sheer amount of craftsmanship involved is staggering; many families spend the entire period of Lent rolling, cutting, and shaping the paper flowers by hand.

For a traveler, Łyse offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic, uncommercialized Polish folk culture. Surrounding the church, a lively market springs up where you can buy smaller, luggage-friendly versions of the palms, along with local delicacies like honey, cured meats, and intricately painted Easter eggs (pisanki). The atmosphere is jubilant, marking both the beginning of Holy Week and the much-anticipated arrival of spring.

Travel Tip: Łyse is quite rural, located about two to three hours from Warsaw. Renting a car is the best way to get here, but be prepared for heavy local traffic on the morning of Palm Sunday. Arrive early—ideally before 9:00 AM—to secure a good viewing spot for the procession and to capture the best photographs of the morning light hitting the brightly colored flowers.