Historic baptismal fonts, late-Gothic Nuremberg bowls, holy water stoups and basins, ampoules for water and wine, trays, fountains and bowls - all that and more will be showcased during this year’s edition of the event. This year’s central theme is the Symbolism of Water in Sacred Art, which encompasses an extremely broad range of rituals, traditions and sacred art. Water is the source of life; it is used for purification and healing, and symbolises rebirth through baptism. God may send down rain, which is a blessing for living creatures, or a deluge, which is a horrifying punishment. Moreover, water is an essential element of the liturgy. Krakow’s churches are home to a wealth of historic examples of artistic craftsmanship associated with the use of water in religious rites, as well as paintings, sculptures and documents pertaining to the history of the saints and bearing witness to everyday life, which would not have been possible without water. This year’s Cracovia Sacra Night will be a brilliant opportunity to explore them with a guide. The programme also features themed exhibitions, including Aqua Vitae. Water of Life (Carmelite Monastery on the Sand), Water in the Liturgy (in front of the Skałka Monastery of the Pauline Fathers) and Lawaterze, laweba – water for washing one’s hands (in the courtyard of the Cistercian Abbey in Mogiła). The musical programme of the event features a concert of sacred music over the ages - from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, Aque Vivae performed by the OCTAVA Ensemble (Benedictine Abbey in Staniątki), and an organ concert performed by Paweł Prochwicz (Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec) and The Sand Spring – a musical and poetic performance by artists of Piwnica św. Norberta (the garden of the Carmelite Monastery on the Sand). You can also expect an urban game – Living Water – which will give you a chance to visit historic wells, springs and places associated with the Vistula River, all set against the backdrop of Kraków’s legends and folklore. Just like the game, the Hortus super aquas – Garden Over the Waters event, held in the gardens of the Resurrectionist Monastery, will also have an educational and inclusive dimension. The event intended for whole families will be an opportunity to take part in workshops, discussions on biblical themes, a concert inspired by the Song of Songs, and a flower-arranging competition. The programme for this year’s edition of Cracovia Sacra Night, organised by the City of Kraków, has - as always - been put together by numerous religious communities, parishes, museums and cultural institutions active in the city. Admission to all events is free of charge; although advance booking is required for some of them.