As soon as everyone walks in they look up. For a predominantly atheist country, church night is popular. Tourists and locals alike crowd the churches across the city staring in wonder at the architecture, listening to the music and learning about the history. Each church has a different aesthetic, some are smaller than others, some more energetic and some (like the one at the palace) seem more traditional.
As someone who has never been to a church service before, I wonder how different tonight is from a traditional service. Do people who regularly go to church avoid this night completely, leaving the seats filled with people unaccustomed to the service?
Some are more crowded than others. The second church I walk into, a nun hands me a paper. On it are empty circles. She motions to explain that at each church you visit, another stamp will be added to your card. Out of all of them, I made it to four, the final one being at the palace where we were able to see the sunset.
Church night is interesting because for some it is an attraction, something to do during their vacation, for others a social event. One church was selling hot dogs and beer (possibly home brewed) for attendees to enjoy in the courtyard. Everyone enthusiastically greeted each other, and kids played in the grass. At a different church, people were there for the photo opportunities whether it was in front of the building itself or in the confessional. The smallest group seemed to be the people that stayed at one church to pray.