With a Venetian afternoon on the Prague waterfront marked by cultural events, boats on display and a tasting of wines and lagoon specialities, Navalis 2025, the two-day event dedicated to the feast of St John of Nepomuk, the largest Baroque celebration on water at the Charles Bridge with a history of more than 300 years, kicks off today under the patronage of the Italian Embassy.
The celebrations in honour of the most famous Czech saint, the patron of bridges, communication routes, good reputation and people in danger of drowning, so much so that he became the protector of gondoliers and one of the patron saints of Venice, will get into full swing tomorrow, 15 May, with a packed programme of events that will see the participation of numerous dignitaries, including the Italian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Mauro Marsili the Patriarch of Venice, Monsignor Francesco Moraglia, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Cardinal Emeritus Dominik Duka, the Mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, the film director Jiri Strach, the President of the St. John of Nepomuk Association, Vojtech Pokorný, and Giovanni Giusto and Marco Mastroianni, respectively Deputy Director and Director of the Protection of Traditions of the City of Venice.
Tomorrow afternoon, the blessing of the festively harnessed horses, riders and pilgrims will take place at Prague Castle, followed by a solemn mass in the Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Adalbert and Wenceslas. At the end of the religious celebration, a procession will make its way from the Cathedral to the Charles Bridge, where the Patriarch of Venice will start the regatta between historical boats and rowing trips on the Vltava River. The 2025 edition of Navalis will end in the evening with a concert of Baroque music on the water near the Charles Bridge.
EMBED START Image {id: "editor_0"}
Navalis 2025: Bridge between Prague and Venice under the banner of St John of Nepomuk
EMBED END Image {id: "editor_0"}
On Friday 16 May, Ambassador Marsili will welcome delegations from Venice and the parish of San Giovanni Nepomuceno di Stazzo (Acireale) to the Embassy.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
