Charming Baroque pearls in Vilnius

Charming Baroque pearls in Vilnius

This tour around Vilnius is intended for fans of art and architecture. However, not necessarily just for them. We can all admire Vilnius. Vilnius, like no other city in Eastern Europe, deserves the title of the Baroque capital. This title is reinforced by the fact that Vilnius is the northernmost Baroque city in the world. Baroque (Italian barocco – strange, intricate) began in Italy in the 16th century and dominated in Europe until the end of 18th century. In Vilnius, Baroque lasted for about 200 years and became an integral part of the architecture of the Old Town. This style of architecture is characterized by grandeur, luxury, dynamism, a combination of sophistication and roughness, abstract symbolism and naturalistic elements. At that time, most of Vilnius’ sacral buildings were built without changing the interior of churches, monasteries. Peculiar regional features of the Baroque became apparent and the so-called Vilnius Baroque School was established, it is considered to be the last bright flash of the late Baroque in Europe.

In the very heart of the city, in its sanctuary, the Cathedral, we will visit St. Casimir’s Chapel. It is one of the most valuable monuments of Lithuanian baroque art. After Kazimierz was officially recognized as a patron saint (1602), the ruler of Poland and Lithuania, Zigmantas Vaza, began to build a chapel suitable for his the royalty. It has a strong influence of Italian art (the chapel is similar to the chapels of St. Sistine and St. Paul in the Church of St. Mary in Rome). Expensive building materials were used to build the chapel: sandstone brought from Sweden, Carpathian marble. The construction and decoration of the Baroque chapel cost more than 3 million golden coins.

Although there are more Baroque style buildings in Lithuania, St. Casimir’s Church stands out for its uniqueness. First of all, it is the only church in Lithuania, which was built on the example of the Church of Jesus Christ (Il Gesu), and the church towers are decorated with a royal crown. At the same time, it is the first baroque church in Vilnius.

We will visit one of the most picturesque parts of Vilnius University complex St. John’s Church with a belfry tower. The full name of the church is “Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.” Hence the abbreviated name – St. John’s Church. Built in the second quarter of 18 a. St. John’s Church with a belfry tower is harmoniously integrated into the architectural ensemble of Vilnius University. Since the time of the Jesuit Academy, professors and students prayed in St. John’s Church, various performances and debates took place, dissertations were defended, kings were solemnly received. Many traditions have survived till our times. Today, diploma ceremonies and various concerts are held here.

The Lithuanian capital has a long lasting connection with Eastern and Western Europe where people of different nationalities and cultures have coexisted peacefully. A striking example of this is the ornate Basilian Gate in the Old Town, a spectacular sight of dynamically growing vertical and pulsating planes. It is a unique baroque monument of Vilnius, which is characterized by a special plasticity of forms and sculpturality. The gate has wavy and broken contour cornices, decorated with pairs of concave pilasters.

The Church of the Holy Spirit is the center of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church. The men’s and women’s monasteries operating next to it are the only Orthodox monasteries in Lithuania. The Orthodox Monastery near The Church of the Holy Spirit occupies two large sessions, spread out on a hill by the Gate of Dawn. Vilnius Church of the Holy Spirit is the only Orthodox house of worship in Lithuania, built according to the plan of the Latin cross of the Baroque church. The interior of the church is decorated with moldings and sculptures made of stucco, which is not usual for Orthodox churches in other countries.

The church of St. Peter and st. Paul is in the list of the most impressive churches in the world published by the American online portal churchpop.com. It was chosen as the most impressive. The site for its construction was chosen in the then sparsely populated suburb of Antakalnis, on the picturesque bank of the Neris, against the background of green hills and pine forests. The church is beautiful from the outside, and here the inner space is really very harmonious. What a white color, the feeling of lightness. There are over 2,000 unique figures depicting angels, saints and dark forces of evil.  Its founder Mykolas Kazimieras Pacas is buried in a crypt just below the entrance, as evidenced by the inscription “Here lies the sinner”.