On Friday, October 17, 2025, at exactly 18:00, in the impressive Church of St. Euphemia in Rovinj, the central concert of the tenth edition of the international festival of choral music Musica Sacra begins. This event, which has been developing for more than two decades as a bridge between choirs and audiences in Central Europe, returns to the heart of Istria with a program dedicated to sacred music, friendship, and community through song. Admission is free, making it an ideal choice for all lovers of choral singing, residents, and visitors of Rovinj.

What the 10th "Musica Sacra" brings: a three-day mosaic of sacred music

"Musica Sacra" is not just a single concert, but a carefully designed festival format that combines four main elements over several days: sacred music concerts, friendship concerts on the occasion of the International Day of Choral Singing, a vocal workshop with experienced educators, and a round table where choir representatives exchange experiences and arrange future artistic partnerships. The performers arrive in Istria from different cultural circles, and their common denominator is a respect for the spiritual musical heritage and a desire to present it to a contemporary audience in a new light.

The three-day format, in addition to the central concert in Rovinj, traditionally includes post-performance gatherings, spontaneous joint singing, and sightseeing of local attractions. In this way, the festival goes beyond the framework of a classic stage performance and turns into a real experience of community – from rehearsals in the afternoon to informal meetings in the evening, where ideas for new projects, guest performance exchanges, and joint tours are often born.

A festival across borders: an idea that grew into a tradition

Originally launched under the name "Musica sacra über die Grenzen", the festival was conceived as a permanent opening of borders – geographical, aesthetic, and generational. The focus has always been on collaboration: choirs and conductors from Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia develop joint programs, exchange sheet music, and inspire one another. Since 2015, Croatia has been permanently on the festival map, and Istria has proven to be a natural stronghold thanks to the hospitality of the hosts and the exceptional performance spaces.

A special place in this story is held by the Ars Cultura Association – Association for the Promotion of Culture and Performing Arts, which, with its partners – including the mixed choir "Roženice" from Pazin, local tourist boards, and cultural institutions – has for years ensured that the program is both artistically relevant and logistically impressive. If you wish to contact the organizer directly, they are available by phone at +385 (0)98 254 286 and by email at musicasacra@gmail.com. More information about the concept and history can be found on the Ars Cultura website.

The Church of St. Euphemia: acoustics that turn a choir into an organ of human voices

Rovinj's Church of St. Euphemia – situated on a hill overlooking the old town and the sea – is one of the most charismatic sacred spaces on the Adriatic. The church's high nave, massive stone walls, and elongated aisle provide the singers with a so-called "natural amplification": a reflection that enriches the color of the chords, prolongs the duration of the tone, and helps the polyphony merge into a single sound organism. For the audience, this means an intimate, enveloping listening experience rarely achieved in standard concert halls.

The bell tower that dominates the panorama, the elegant facade, and the artworks inside further create an atmosphere of solemnity – a perfect setting for a repertoire that most often includes works from early polyphony and Renaissance masters, through Baroque motets and classical masses, to contemporary compositions written specifically for the festival's participating choirs. The audience often witnesses premieres of new arrangements or dedicatory pieces, making "Musica Sacra" also a platform for living, current sacred music production.

Program for 2025: concert on Friday at 18:00 and accompanying events

The central concert of this year's edition will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 18:00, in the Church of St. Euphemia. Admission is free, so we advise you to arrive early to secure a seat and enjoy the early evening on the square in front of the church. In addition to the Rovinj concert, the festival schedule traditionally includes performances in other Istrian towns, vocal technique workshops, and special friendship concerts dedicated to the International Day of Choral Singing – an occasion where choirs present themselves to each other and the local community without a competitive charge, in the spirit of pure musical joy.

Local institutions and communities take on the role of hosts and partners, so the audience is accustomed to diverse combinations of ensembles: mixed, female, male, and children's choirs, vocal chamber groups, and ad hoc choirs from several countries. Such a cross-section allows listeners to hear everything in one festival evening – from airy Renaissance four-part harmonies to powerful eight-part chords of contemporary composers.

Why you should come: a musical journey through space, time, and community

The beauty of "Musica Sacra" lies in the meeting of different traditions and choral schools. Performers meet in Rovinj without competition, in an atmosphere of mutual support, where instead of medals, the best possible collective sound is sought. For visitors, this means a sonic itinerary through the centuries: one moment you are listening to a motet that was sung in monasteries back in the 16th century, and the next – a new spiritual composition with rhythmic and harmonic solutions characteristic of today.

An added value is the location: you can easily combine a visit to the concert with a walk through the old town, taking photos with a view of the islands, and an evening out in one of Rovinj's many bistros. If you are visiting the city for the first time or want to extend your stay, explore the offer for accommodation in Rovinj, from historic villas to modern apartments and boutique hotels near the old town.

Practical information: arrival, admission, and contacts

• Date and time: Friday, 17. 10. 2025, at 18:00


• Venue: Church of St. Euphemia, Rovinj-Rovigno (easy access on foot from the old town; we recommend arriving early due to parking)


• Tickets: admission is free


• Organizer: Ars Cultura – Association for the Promotion of Culture and Performing Arts


• Contact: tel. +385 (0)98 254 286 • e-mail musicasacra@gmail.com • web: arscultura.hr/musica-sacra

If you are planning a weekend in Istria, combine the concert with a tour of the surrounding sights, and look for offers for accommodation in Rovinj at the bottom of this page.

What a sacred repertoire sounds like on a choral stage

Sacred choral music covers an extremely wide spectrum of styles. In the Renaissance, linear interweaving of voices and textual clarity prevail; in the Baroque, dramatic contrast and rhetorical expression attract attention; Classicism introduces elegant simplicity and formal balance; Romanticism brings richer harmonies and emotional opulence, while the 20th and 21st centuries flirt with modalities, polyrhythms, and unusual textures. At "Musica Sacra," you will also often hear contemporary compositions that combine tradition with new harmonic solutions, relying on the acoustics of the space as a key "instrument."

The performers' focus emphasizes the text and the spiritual message: the words of liturgical and biblical texts, hymns, and prayers carry as much weight as the melody itself. For this reason, choirs pay special attention to diction, the precision of endings, controlled vibrato, and homogeneity of color – elements that allow the message to reach every listener, regardless of language or denomination.

For choirs and conductors: learning, exchange, and networking

Besides the audience, the participants themselves benefit directly from "Musica Sacra". The vocal workshops focus on breathing techniques, resonance, intonation strategies, and the stylistic interpretation of particular periods. The round table is a place to discuss repertoire, the challenges of working with amateur and semi-professional ensembles, opportunities for guest performances, and the creation of joint projects. It is precisely from such meetings that successful tours and recordings have emerged in recent years, further affirming Istria and Rovinj as centers of the region's choral culture.

The Rovinj experience before and after the concert

Stroll along the cobblestone streets of the old town, pause at viewpoints overlooking the archipelago, and then head up the steps to the plateau in front of the Church of St. Euphemia. Before the concert, small oases of silence are created here, where performers make their final chord adjustments, while the sounds of the city and the sea can be heard in the background. After the performance, decide whether to continue the evening in an intimate wine bar or along the waterfront. For those staying longer, it is useful to book accommodation in Rovinj in advance, especially in the autumn when demand is high due to cultural events and conferences.

Photo gallery and media corner

The organizer regularly documents festival moments – from rehearsals to joint bows on stage. After the concert, look for selected photos in the festival's photo gallery and on the channels of partner institutions. If you want to send a media inquiry or suggest a topic, the contact email musicasacra@gmail.com is the fastest way to get information about the program and participants.

Tips for visitors

• Arrive early: due to free admission, it is recommended to arrive at least 20–30 minutes before the start to get your desired seat.


• Duration: festival evenings usually last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of participating choirs and the choice of repertoire.


• Dress code: discreet clothing appropriate for a sacred space is recommended; during autumn, bring a light coat due to possible temperature changes.


• Accessibility: access to the venue is on foot; we advise persons with reduced mobility to ask for assistance from the security staff at the entrance.


• Planning your stay: for accommodation options in Rovinj, see the guide below.

Accommodation in Rovinj: where to stay near the Church of St. Euphemia

If you wish to stay near the concert venue, consider historic houses in the old town, boutique hotels within the city walls, and modern apartments just a few minutes' walk from the Church of St. Euphemia. For family visits, apartments with a kitchen are ideal, while couples may prefer rooms with a sea view. We highlight some practical tips: check the possibility of late check-in, the availability of a parking space, and the distance to the entrance of the old town. For a quicker selection, browse the offer for accommodation in Rovinj by zone and price range.

Please note that admission to the concert is free.