Reading time: 3 minutes 
Summary for: PHOTOS: Prague's new 'levitating' organ is machine, instrument, and work of artThe majestic nave of Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral resonated with a new voice on Monday during a spectacular "awakening" and blessing ceremony for its highly anticipated, 160-million-crown church organ.
The debut of the instrument marks the completion of a national fundraising campaign that spanned 14 years and drew donations from thousands of Czech citizens and local businesses.
The liturgy, led by Prague Archbishop Stanislav Pribyl and his predecessor Jan Graubner, introduced a unique "awakening" ritual inspired directly by the recent restoration ceremonies at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
what makes it so unique?
The organ was constructed in accordance with mechanical building codes and has been described as potentially the first musical instrument of its kind in the world to be classified under such a framework. During the approval process, authorities were required to determine whether the organ should be officially treated as a musical instrument, a work of art, a structural element, or a machine, as this classification was essential for obtaining the necessary permits and regulatory approvals.
Archbishop Pribyl symbolically called out to the organ, which responded to his cues through short musical pieces performed by eight different organists.
The celebration concluded with a concert featuring works by Dvořák and Handel, performed by the Czech Philharmonic and local choirs.
"We were inspired by the call to the organ, by bringing it back to life," Vojtěch Mátl, chairman of the St. Vitus Organ Foundation, told reporters. Mátl revealed that the foundation has raised CZK 154 million so far, though approximately CZK 32 million of that total had to be paid in taxes. The public can still contribute to cover the remaining costs.
New organ by the numbers
- Cost: ~160 million CZK
- Weight: >45.5 tons
- Pipes: 5,755
- Stops: 122
- Manuals: 4
- Crystal ornaments: 180
Designed by renowned German organ builder Gerhard Grenzing, the massive instrument is a engineering marvel tailored specifically to the cathedral's unique acoustics. Weighing over 45.5 tons, the organ required structural reinforcement of the cathedral’s western gallery before installation. It boasts four manuals, 122 stops, and 5,755 pipes.
The design also honors Czech craftsmanship. Peter Olah of Škoda Design created 180 crystal ornaments for the instrument, drawing inspiration from the famous Panská Skála rock formation in North Bohemia.
According to chief archdiocese organologist Štěpán Svoboda, plans for a grand cathedral organ date back to the 1920s, though the modern push only began in 2012 under Cardinal Dominik Duka. The instrument builds on the cathedral’s previous Renaissance and Baroque organs.
The ceremony included a special remembrance for the donors who did not live to see the project's completion.
For living contributors, the celebrations will continue throughout the week as part of the St. Vitus Organ Octave program, which will culminate in a repeat of the liturgy next Monday.
When can you hear the new organ?
For those eager to experience the majestic voice of Prague’s newest musical treasure, the upcoming 15th International Organ Festival offers the opportunity.
Running from June 30 to Sept. 1, 2026, the St. Vitus Organ Evenings will bring the historic instrument to life every concert evening at 7 p.m. inside the soaring Gothic acoustics of the cathedral at Prague Castle.
Over the course of ten concert evenings, a world-class lineup of international virtuosos will showcase the instrument's power, including prominent Czech organist Pavel Černý, who intimately knows the machine after helping build it.
