Zelný trh is one of those places that looks different every hour. In the morning, it is first and foremost a workplace.
The baroque fountain, surrounding buildings and view towards Petrov create a striking setting, but in the morning pay attention to the relationship between the space and its operation. The square is not merely a historic image. It has to accommodate a market, walking routes, deliveries, cultural events and people's daily journeys to work. Step aside when taking photographs and do not block a stall. Wait until a seller has finished serving before asking for a portrait. People are not automatically part of your travel photography. Consent matters more than a perfect image.
Step-free movement across the main area is possible, although the surface is cobbled and some approaches are sloped. A wheelchair user or someone with a walking frame may appreciate assistance, especially during the morning delivery period. The aisles between stalls narrow, so arriving outside the busiest time is better. Accessibility in surrounding venues varies, and a historic entrance may have a step. Call ahead if you need an accessible toilet or guaranteed seating. A market should be an experience, not an obstacle course.
Zelný trh's greatest charm comes from the ordinary. There is no need to organise an experience. Arrive early, buy whatever looks good that day and watch the square fill. By ten o'clock, its energy may be entirely different from when you arrived. The transformation captures Brno perfectly: historic surroundings are not separated from life, but used afresh every day. When you finally have your first coffee, you will not simply be sitting in a beautiful square. You will know how it woke up.