The Long Night of the Churches – Lamporo

The Long Night of the Churches in Lamporo

The Long Night of the Churches is a national cultural initiative that, on a single evening in early June, invites hundreds of churches across Italy to open their doors after dark. For a few hours, these sacred spaces become hubs of beauty, music, art, and connection, welcoming both believers and the curious. In Lamporo, a small town in the Province of Vercelli, in the heart of the Piedmont rice-growing region, the parish church joins the event by hosting an intense and meditative evening, with free admission.

A project born in Belluno

The festival was launched in 2016 by the social promotion association "BellunoLaNotte," inspired by the German Lange Nacht der Kirchen. Over the years, it has progressively expanded to numerous dioceses, parishes, and cultural organizations throughout Italy, eventually involving hundreds of places of worship in a single night. Each edition is accompanied by a common theme, which serves as a guiding thread for the events proposed in individual churches.

The program in Lamporo

The evening in Lamporo opens with an introductory lecture by the parish priest, Father Jan Marian Bogacki, who offers a reflection on the relevance of Saint Francis's message in the contemporary world. This is followed by a tour of the church and its artworks, including the 18th-century statue of Saint Bernard, with a focus on its history. The heart of the evening is the musical vespers, entrusted to the "San Bernardo" Parish Choir and vocal soloists, accompanied by the historic 1850 Ramasco organ. The program includes sacred music inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures, readings and commentary on Franciscan texts, and insights into the figurative art associated with the saint.

Art, music, and tradition

• Lectures and readings on spirituality and the figure of Saint Francis
• Choral and organ concerts with the "San Bernardo" Choir and the Ramasco organ
• Tours of the parish church and its artworks
• Free admission and an intimate evening atmosphere

Why attend

The Long Night of the Churches in Lamporo is a precious opportunity to discover the artistic and religious heritage of a village in the Vercelli plains that often remains off the beaten tourist path. The combination of live music, art, and contemplation, in a church opened at night and illuminated for the occasion, provides an intense and extraordinary experience that unites the local community and visitors arriving from the rest of the Province of Vercelli and Piedmont.