St. Casimir's Church, Vilnius
The Church of Saint Casimir in Vilnius is a remarkable example of Baroque architecture, and it holds great cultural and historical significance for the people of Lithuania. The church was built in the early 17th century by the Jesuits, with funding from prominent nobles and Chancellor Lew Sapieha, as a tribute to Saint Casimir, a holy prince who is revered as the patron of Lithuania. The church's design was inspired by the Church of Jesus in Rome, and it features a stepped lantern cupola with a crown that is unique to the region.
Over the centuries, the Church of Saint Casimir has undergone various transformations, including periods of occupation and damage during wars. In the 18th century, architect Thomas Zebrowski oversaw a reconstruction of the church, which resulted in the addition of the impressive cupola. During the Soviet era, the church was closed down and converted into a Museum of Atheism, and it suffered significant damage. However, in 1991, the church was reconsecrated and returned to the Catholic community.
Today, the Church of Saint Casimir continues to hold regular services in Lithuanian and Russian, and it is also renowned for its excellent acoustics and organ concerts featuring internationally renowned musicians. The church's interior boasts three late Baroque artificial marble altars, with paintings by Antanas Kmieliauskas depicting scenes from the life of Saint Casimir and other saints.
Overall, the Church of Saint Casimir is a significant religious and cultural landmark in Vilnius, and it represents an important piece of Lithuania's history and heritage. Its rich architectural and artistic features, as well as its connection to Saint Casimir, make it a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike.
Over the centuries, the Church of Saint Casimir has undergone various transformations, including periods of occupation and damage during wars. In the 18th century, architect Thomas Zebrowski oversaw a reconstruction of the church, which resulted in the addition of the impressive cupola. During the Soviet era, the church was closed down and converted into a Museum of Atheism, and it suffered significant damage. However, in 1991, the church was reconsecrated and returned to the Catholic community.
Today, the Church of Saint Casimir continues to hold regular services in Lithuanian and Russian, and it is also renowned for its excellent acoustics and organ concerts featuring internationally renowned musicians. The church's interior boasts three late Baroque artificial marble altars, with paintings by Antanas Kmieliauskas depicting scenes from the life of Saint Casimir and other saints.
Overall, the Church of Saint Casimir is a significant religious and cultural landmark in Vilnius, and it represents an important piece of Lithuania's history and heritage. Its rich architectural and artistic features, as well as its connection to Saint Casimir, make it a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vilnius. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
St. Casimir's Church on Map
Sight Name: St. Casimir's Church
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania
Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vilnius is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour
The historic and present-day capital of Lithuania, Vilnius is known for the architecture in its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
The name of the city originates from the River Vilnia (which is the Lithuanian for “ripple”). According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas (c. 1275–1341), having hunted near the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers, saw a dream in which a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
The name of the city originates from the River Vilnia (which is the Lithuanian for “ripple”). According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas (c. 1275–1341), having hunted near the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers, saw a dream in which a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Užupis District Walking Tour
A tiny isolated area and a former suburb, which now forms part of the Old Town of Vilnius, the Uzupis district is often compared, for its bohemian and laissez-faire atmosphere, to Montmartre of Paris and Freetown Christiania of Copenhagen. Similarly to the latter, in 1997, the district declared itself an independent republic; the tongue-in-cheek constitution of the self-proclaimed “republic”,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Historical Churches Tour
As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts a wealth of gorgeous churches featuring diverse architectural styles – Gothic, Baroque, to mention but a few. Many of the local churches are historical, having witnessed centuries of events and become iconic landmarks of the Lithuanian capital.
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles