Škoda Auto Completes Major Partnership in Delivering New 6,000-Pipe Organ for St Vitus Cathedral

Škoda Auto Completes Major Partnership in Delivering New 6,000-Pipe Organ for St Vitus Cathedral

(IN BRIEF) Škoda Auto has served as the main partner in the project to build a new organ for St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, providing both financial support and design expertise since 2018, with the instrument now fully installed and set for a ceremonial blessing on 15 June 2026. The organ, featuring more than 6,000 pipes on the cathedral’s west gallery, symbolically completes over seven centuries of construction and will support both liturgical services and concerts, while incorporating distinctive crystal elements developed by Škoda Design and crafted by Czech glassmakers. Company leaders and project trustees highlight the organ as a bridge between tradition and modern innovation, reflecting Škoda’s broader commitment to preserving Czech cultural heritage alongside its long-term partnerships with major national cultural institutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) MLADÁ BOLESLAV, 6-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Škoda Auto has played a central role in the realization of the newly completed organ for St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, acting as the project’s principal partner since 2018. Alongside providing substantial financial backing, the car manufacturer has contributed its design know-how to shape distinctive crystal elements that have become an integral part of the instrument’s visual identity. With the installation now finalized, the organ is set to receive its ceremonial blessing on 15 June 2026.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, described the project as a remarkable fusion of tradition and modernity, noting that the company’s involvement reflects its deep respect for Czech cultural heritage. He emphasized that the organ embodies a blend of craftsmanship, artistic expression, and technological innovation that aligns closely with Škoda’s brand values, while also marking a historic milestone in the centuries-long completion of the cathedral.

Vojtěch Mátl, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the St Vitus Organ Endowment Fund, expressed gratitude for Škoda Auto’s commitment, highlighting that the company’s support acknowledges the cathedral’s historical, spiritual, and cultural significance. He added that the organ harmoniously integrates contemporary architectural language and modern technical capabilities with traditional craftsmanship and the legacy of past generations.

The newly installed organ, comprising more than 6,000 pipes, is positioned on the west gallery of the cathedral. Final tuning work is currently underway in preparation for its official inauguration on the feast of St Vitus. The instrument is designed to serve both liturgical functions and a broad range of musical performances, symbolically completing over 700 years of construction at one of the Czech Republic’s most important cultural and spiritual landmarks.

Škoda Auto’s design contribution was led by Škoda Design, which helped define the organ’s aesthetic, particularly its crystal components. The instrument’s minimalist concept allows the largest façade pipes to appear suspended in mid-air, with vertically oriented crystal elements interspersed among them. These features draw inspiration from natural formations such as winter basalt structures and are being crafted by Czech glassmakers at the LASVIT Ajeto glassworks in northern Bohemia.

This initiative represents one of Škoda Auto’s most significant cultural sponsorship projects in recent years and builds on the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting Czech arts and heritage. Škoda continues to collaborate with leading cultural institutions, including the Czech Philharmonic, the National Theatre, the National Museum, and the National Technical Museum, reinforcing its role as a key patron of the country’s cultural landscape.

Media Contact:

Thomas Drechsler
Head of Communications
e: thomas.drechsler@skoda-auto.cz
LinkedIn

SOURCE: Škoda Auto a.s.