When does the Night of Open Churches begin?

The event starts on May 24, 2026, at 9:00 PM and ends at 11:45 PM.

Where does the event take place?

At the Memorial Site Cottbus Prison, Bautzener Straße 140, 03050 Cottbus.

Do you need to register?

No, registration is not required.

What can visitors expect?

Conversations with guests from the church, contemporary witnesses, and society, music, drinks, snacks, and visits to special and permanent exhibitions.

Is the entrance free?

No entrance fee has been announced for this event. The book fair in the foyer is free.

Is the event location barrier-free?

The grounds are mostly at ground level. The main building has an elevator, ramps, and an accessible restroom; however, some areas are only accessible by stairs.

A Quiet Evening of Reconciliation at the Memorial Cottbus

Name: Night of Open Churches - Memorial Site Cottbus Prison
Start: 2026-05-24T23:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-05-25T01:45:00+02:00
Location: Gedenkstätte Zuchthaus Cottbus

Night of Open Churches in Cottbus: An Evening of Remembrance and Reconciliation

This Night of Open Churches invites you to a special faith experience at a historical site. At the Memorial Site Cottbus Prison, prayer, remembrance, and conversation connect with the question of reconciliation and human dignity. The event focuses on the Cross of Nails work, the history of the community of cross of nails, and the ecumenical responsibility for peace. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/veranstaltungen/nacht-der-offenen-kirchen-gedenkstaette-zuchthaus-cottbus/))

Spiritual Atmosphere Between History and Hope

Upon entering the evening, participants experience a calm, contemplative, and open spiritual community. Conversations with guests from the church, contemporary witnesses, and society create space for religious experience, for listening, and for a conscious look at the past. Music, drinks, and snacks accompany the exchange in an atmosphere of reflection. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/veranstaltungen/nacht-der-offenen-kirchen-gedenkstaette-zuchthaus-cottbus/))

Insights into the Cross of Nails Work and Memorial Culture

The evening offers insight into the Cross of Nails work of the Human Rights Center Cottbus e.V. and the connection to Coventry. The memorial site sees itself as a place of education, encounter, and confrontation with political injustice. In the main building and on the grounds, the history of the former prison, the conditions of detention, and the fates of those imprisoned during the Nazi and SED dictatorship become visible. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/veranstaltungen/nacht-der-offenen-kirchen-gedenkstaette-zuchthaus-cottbus/))

Exhibitions, Book Fair, and Open Doors

From 9 PM to midnight, special and permanent exhibitions invite individual visits. A free book fair in the foyer complements the program and makes the evening attractive for those interested in delving into memory culture, theology, human rights, and church engagement. No registration is required. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/veranstaltungen/nacht-der-offenen-kirchen-gedenkstaette-zuchthaus-cottbus/))

Place with History and Clear Address

The event location is the Memorial Site Cottbus Prison at Bautzener Straße 140, 03050 Cottbus. The grounds of the memorial site are mostly at ground level, the main building features an elevator, ramps, and an accessible restroom; however, some areas, such as the former detention cells, are only accessible via stairs. Free parking is available at the Human Rights Center. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/veranstaltungsorte/gedenkstaette-zuchthaus-cottbus/))

Conclusion: An Evening for Faith, Remembrance, and Encounter

The Night of Open Churches combines spiritual depth with historical responsibility and invites participants to experience faith as a living community. Visitors can expect an emotional evening with conversation, music, exhibitions, and a quiet space for hope. Those who want to feel reconciliation not just hear about it should experience this special night live. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/veranstaltungen/nacht-der-offenen-kirchen-gedenkstaette-zuchthaus-cottbus/))