The official website of the Night of Churches (Noc kostelů) is only in Czech: https://www.nockostelu.cz. Therefore, we provide you a concise description here:
📅 Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
💸 Entry: Free (voluntary donations welcome)
📍 Location: Dozens of churches, chapels, and prayer rooms throughout Plzeň
This event is open to everyone, regardless of religious affiliation. Visitors can expect a rich program including music, guided tours, art, children’s activities, and more.
🔔 Highlights in Plzeň:
🕍
Cathedral of St. Bartholomew
(Plzeň City Centre)
- Guided tours of the treasury with architect Jan Trčka and frescoes explained by architect Jan Soukup.
- Performances by the Resonance Choir, Plzeň Philharmonic, organist Aleš Nosek, and Schola Cantorum Pilsensis.
⛪
Church of St. Martin and Procopius in Lobzy
- Program starts at 4:30 PM with a neighborhood gathering.
- Café, children’s activities, competitions, and tasting of sacramental wines.
- Guided tours of the church and rectory, including the bell tower and choir loft.
- A talk by Fr. Vincent from Nigeria on “A Journey Between Continents”.
- Performance by Souhlas Choir, and an explained Mass at 6:00 PM.
🕍
Church of Christ the Good Shepherd
- Located at Klatovská/Husova Street – usually closed to the public.
- Guided tour at 4:00 PM on its German-Czech history.
- At 5:00 PM, a talk on the book Indian Messiah and the life of Native American bishop Steven Charleston by Fr. Tomáš Procházka.
⛪
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
(Jiráskovo Square)
- Starts at 6:00 PM with a Mass.
- Music by children’s choir Tučňáci, vocal quintet MlsNoty, and organist Václav Šlajs.
- Children’s program and guided tour with TV host Irena Pulicarová.
🕍
Evangelical Church, Lochotín
- Opens at 4:30 PM with board games and creative activities.
- Guided tours, art exhibit by Ralf Mošt, and music by Christian youth band Boží benzín at 8:00 PM.
🌳
Meditation Garden
(near the city center)
- Peaceful retreat open from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
- Chapel of St. Maximilian Kolbe illuminated and open for visitors.
🗺️ Tips for Visitors:
- You can find the full list of churches and programs on the official site: www.nockostelu.cz
- Consider downloading the “Noc kostelů” mobile app for easy planning.
- Some venues offer a Pilgrim’s Passport where you can collect stamps from each location.
- Some events have limited capacity – it’s best to arrive early.