Exciting Destinations: Escape Boredom with These Must-Visit Spots!

Since its first event in 2009, the Night of the Churches in the Czech Republic has expanded remarkably, with the count of participating churches increasing from only 25 to an impressive 1,841 this year. We have curated a few suggestions that you won’t want to miss on the evening of Friday, May 23, 2025. Church Night is a fantastic chance to explore places that are usually only open during service times or might not be available to the public at all, like church towers or the sacristy. For those curious individuals, eager to see behind-the-scenes elements or learn more about the lives of various parishes and their communities, this is a special opportunity that comes around just once a year!

For those who own a smartphone, you can download the Night of the Churches app, which has been available for Apple users since last year. This app provides valuable information about the churches participating in the event and their scheduled programs. A notable feature includes a simple menu that shows the programs of nearby churches and religious buildings based on the user’s GPS location. Furthermore, users can search and browse a list of participating locations based on either district or region. It’s also convenient to save your chosen churches as favorites and create your personalized Church Night itinerary. And for users with Android, there’s an option to view a map of the surrounding churches. You can easily download the app from popular platforms like Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Night of the Churches in the Brno Diocese

Organizers are planning exciting programs for the Night of Churches in Brno, with over 230 churches and prayer spaces opening their doors. Beyond spiritual offerings, the Brno diocese will include a range of activities such as music performances, creative workshops for kids, church tours, and various shows from music bands to dance productions. The Church of Blessed Restituta will offer tours of the church, tower, and the Spiritual Center. There will also be a captivating concert by the Brno gospel choir and guided church tours.

The beautifully renovated St. James Church will be open from 16:30 to 23:30. A talk regarding the church’s renovation and its evolution will happen at 7:30 PM. Over at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul on St. Peter’s Square, a guided tour will take place at 20:00, followed by the ringing of the organ. Visitors can also witness biblical dances and enjoy the spiritual music performed by the Brno Philharmonic Choir. At midnight, there will be a special blessing for the city of Brno.

In addition, the Bethlehem Church, located at the foot of Špilberk Hill on Pellicova Street, will open its doors. Visitors can look forward to meditative experiences paired with organ music, a Baroque music concert, and a performance by the Moscow singer-songwriter Alexei Kudrjavtsev. The festivities will kick off at 6 PM. Next, the Jesuit Church of the Assumption also welcomes participants, starting just ten minutes before six.

There will be further opportunities for visitors to enjoy concerts, workshops, theatre performances, and cozy gatherings, for instance, at the Tree Chapel in Brno-Jehnice. One of the featured highlights of the evening is undoubtedly the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which will be performed at St. Lawrence Church in Brno-Rečkovice, taking place on a stage in the parking lot in front of the church.

Interesting Highlights from the Diocese of Prague

In Prague, Night of the Churches features engaging children’s programs, concerts, workshops, lectures, Bible readings, and guided tours of worship spaces, bell towers, and organ choirs—areas where visitors seldom gain access. This year, the Archdiocese of Prague is welcoming 154 churches, chapels, and houses of worship, including several for the very first time in locations such as Klecany-Draste, Lužec nad Vltavou, Zvěstov-Libouni, and Černý Most in Prague.

Highlighted programs in the city include activities at St. Benedict’s Church in Hradcany, where a calligraphy workshop will be held. At Břevnov, in the Basilica of St. Margaret, a unique performance of Cinderella of Nazareth—a musical piece by Václav Renč and Vít Petrů—will take place at 20:00. This piece is a captivating poem about the Virgin Mary, written circa 1955 while in Leopold Prison. The Church Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Modřany will showcase an intriguing exhibition of Eucharistic miracles starting at 19:00. This year, residents and visitors of Prague will also have a unique chance to access otherwise off-limits locations in the heart of the city—the extraordinary opening of the Chapel of the Virgin Mary at the Old Town Hall, which will offer individual tours with a guided text. One unique feature is that from this chapel, you can also observe the mechanism of the Old Town Clock.

Another intriguing location is the Chapel of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, located in the Sternberg Palace since 2016. Visitors will have the chance not only to tour this space but also to enjoy musical and vocal performances. In Vinohrady, visitors can access the rarely open Chapel of the Holy Family, along with an interesting program. This chapel is typically closed to the public and is a former vineyard chapel that can be found under the Nusel stairs. The Vyšehrad area will feature prominent churches, including the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul and the Rotunda of St. Martin. The famed Prague Castle, along with its iconic sanctuary, and all the other participating churches, will surely offer a remarkable atmosphere. You might also visit the Church of Our Lady under the Chain in Lesser Town, the Prague Jesuit Church, St. Nicholas Church, or St. Thomas in Lesser Town, Týn Cathedral, St. Giles, St. Martin in the Wall, or St. Nicholas in the Old Town, plus the Cathedral of St. Cyril and Methodius in the New Town or St. Ludmila in Peace Square.

Outside the city center don’t overlook the open churches of the CCE in Braník, the Huss Choir, and St. Wenceslas Church in Nusle, as well as St. Agnes of Bohemia and St. Patrons of Bohemia Churches in Záběhlice, the Huss Choir, and St. Wenceslas Church in Vršovice, the modern Christ the Saviour Church in Barrandov, the neo-Renaissance St. Wenceslas Basilica in Smichov, St. Gothard Church in Bubenec, and St. Matěj Church in Dejvice. You also have the chance to check out the Church of the Czech Church of Christ in Střešovice, St. Anthony of Padua in Holešovice, St. Cyril and Methodius in Karlín, and the Chapel of St. Teresa of Calcutta in Chodov. The Church of St. James the Elder in Petrovice, the Church of St. James the Elder in Zbraslav Castle, the pilgrimage area with the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Bílá Hora, among many other sites, will be accessible too.

Night of Churches in Hradec Králové

In the Hradec Králové Diocese, over 260 churches, prayer houses, and chapels will take part in the Night of Churches. You can visit iconic locations like the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the Church of St. Ambrose, the Christian Community Mozaika, or the Church of St. Nicholas in Jirásek Gardens. If you are keen on a more enjoyable evening of sightseeing, there’s a diverse range of options prepared by the churches within the Hradec Králové Diocese. Noteworthy examples include the branch church of St. Wenceslas in Rudník, constructed by the Italian architect Carlo Valmadi, the church of St. George in Dolní Branná, the church of All Saints in Hronov, the Church of the Holy Trinity in Litíč, the Dean’s church of St. Lawrence in Náchod on Masaryk Square, the Church of St. Jilja in Železnice, the Church of the Holy Trinity in Velká Úpa, or the brick Church of St. Lawrence in Vrchlabí. Also noteworthy is that in Hradec Králové and Kostelec nad Orlicí, specially designed cycling routes connecting the churches will be available!

The Archdiocese of Olomouc Welcomes Everyone to the Haná Metropolis

In the Olomouc Diocese this year, the event will feature 109 sacred buildings. New this year is the participation of the charity offering a concert by singer-songwriter Petr Maria Lutka at the Chapel of St. Cosmas and Damian in Olomouc, along with connections to the Samaritan Charity Centre. In the capital of Haná, residents and visitors can explore the Red Church, the Huss Choir, St Wenceslas Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, St Moritz Church, the Orthodox Cathedral of St Gorazd, St Michael’s Church, and St John Sarkander’s Chapel. Pilgrims are also invited to visit the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary located on Svatý Kopeček. The Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Prostějov, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Jeseník, and the Church of St. James in Lipník nad Bečvou, along with the Monastery Church of St. Francis, will all be open to the public as well.

Unique Highlights from the Ostrava-Opava Diocese

Traditionally, there is expected to be substantial interest in the Cathedral of the Divine Saviour in Ostrava, which will host concerts of sacred music and display exhibits featuring Eucharistic-related artifacts. Other monumental churches in Ostrava will be made accessible, like the Evangelical Christ Church located in Moravská Ostrava or the church of Our Lady Queen in Mariánské Hory. Additionally, smaller towns within the diocese won’t be overlooked: The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Český Těšín will showcase liturgical garments and utensils, allowing visitors to access the chancel and sacristy as well. In Opava, you have the chance to explore the recently renovated Cathedral Assumption of the Virgin Mary, or other churches like the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Český Těšín or the Church of St. Bartholomew in Kravaře.

Night of Churches 2025: Experience the Charm of Czech Churches

Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
Theme: Hope — representing light in darkness, strength on journeys, and support during uncertain times.

Overview:
This year, 1,864 churches and houses of worship across the Czech Republic will participate in the Night of Churches. The event invites everyone to discover the spiritual and cultural dimensions of Christianity through a diverse program.

Activities Include:

• Unique concerts

• Guided tours

• Prayers and exhibitions

• Theatre performances

• Cultural and spiritual events

Special Opportunities:

• Access to towers, sacristies, and other areas typically closed to the public

• Explore renowned sites in Prague, such as St. Benedict’s Church, St. Margaret’s Basilica in Břevnov, and the chapel of the Chamber of Deputies in the Sternberg Palace

For Visitors:

• Download the Night of Churches app to find information about participating churches and detailed program schedules.

History:
The event began with just 25 participating churches. In 2025, the number has grown to an impressive 1,864.

Purpose:
The Night of Churches aims to connect visitors with both the spiritual and cultural aspects of Christianity, offering a rare chance to explore sacred spaces and take part in special activities.