Navalis Saint John’s Celebrations will light up the centre of Prague

Pilgrims from all over the world are coming to take part in this event. The biggest baroque feast on the water beside Charles Bridge will culminate with a concert on a floating stage on the Vltava River and spectacular fireworks. The celebrations are held annually on the eve of St. John of Nepomuk and are one of the important events of Prague.

In the past, these festivities were the most magnificent celebrations, where pilgrims from many countries gathered to honour St. John of Nepomuk’s memory and listen to music played on the surface of the Vltava River from the year 1627 onwards. The tradition of Baroque festivities was revived in 2009.

 

Navalis Celebrations

This modern festival has a set programme each year. It begins with a solemn mass in the Cathedral of Sts. Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert in Prague Castle and is followed by a procession across Charles Bridge to Křižovnické Square. In the evening, there is a Baroque concert on the river with fireworks. This year, you can also look forward to parachute jumps and swimming in the cold water.

 

Gondolas on the Vltava River

St. John of Nepomuk, a Catholic martyr, is a Czech patron saint. He is the patron saint of bridges, fishermen, millers, swimmers, and water crafts. He is also the patron saint of gondoliers and a patron saint of Venice, which is why gondoliers from the Italian city also come to Prague and sail their ornate boats on the Vltava River. The statue of the Czech saint is the only Baroque statue placed right on the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.

Experience the atmosphere of Baroque Prague and take part in the celebrations of St. John of Nepomuk. It will certainly be an unforgettable spiritual and cultural experience.

 

Festivities programme:

2.30pm – Decorative horse harnessing - Hradčanské Square

5:30pm - Holy Mass - Cathedral of Sts. Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert

6:45pm–St John of Nepomuk’s procession across Charles Bridge

8:00pm - Boat Regatta, Parachute Jump, cold water swimming - Charles Bridge

8:30pm - Prayers in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi - Křižovnické Square

9:00pm - Concert on the Vltava River beside Charles Bridge

9:55pm - Fireworks fired from the Vltava River

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT

15/05/2019 at 2:30pm

 

Centre of Prague

 

For more information, please visit: http://www.navalis.cz/en/