Czech “Night of Churches” Lets You See Inside More Than 1700 Sacred Spaces

On June 3 and 4, thousands of people will descend on more than 1,700 churches and chapels throughout the Czech Republic during the Night of Churches (Noc kostelů).

In Prague alone, it will be possible to visit 155 churches, temples and chapels.

The theme of this year’s event is baptism and the organisers want to reflect not only its ritual but also the places, objects, texts or traditions associated with the ritual.

This event is another opportunity to invite the widest possible audience into churches to become acquainted with Christianity through music, art, and experience in an evening and nighttime atmosphere.

Among the newly opened sites will be the Church of St. Peter and Paul which is located in the protected zone of the Želivka dam or the newly built Church of Christ the Saviour in Prague’s district of Barrandov.

Guided tours, concerts, and theater performances will facilitate the occasion. Some portions of churches normally closed to the public will be open, for example, the organ loft, the sacristy, towers, crypts, and monastic gardens.

The accompanying program features except for night-time sermons, prayers, meditations, organ concerts also visual performances, tasting of Communion wines, creative competitions for children and adults, and more.

The program has been prepared by ten parishes and churches of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, Evangelical Methodist Church, Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, Catholic community Chemin Neuf and Orthodox Church.

The Night of Open Churches was launched in the Czech Republic in 2009.

The full program of this year’s Night of Open Churches is available at nockostelu.cz