St. Michael's Church, Vilnius

St. Michael's Church, located in Vilnius' Old Town, is a former Roman Catholic church that now serves as the Church Heritage Museum. The church was built in the late 16th century as a mausoleum for the Sapieha family, who was the Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The construction was finished in the early 17th century, but suffered damage in 1627 when the roofing fell in, and was later rebuilt by stonemason Jonas Kajetka. During the war with Moscow from 1655-61, the church was burned down and ravaged, but was renovated in the following decade.

In the early 18th century, a Baroque belfry was added to the church. However, the tsarist authorities closed down the church in 1888, and it was not until 1905 that it was returned to the Sapiehas and renovated. The church underwent several more renovations in the following decades, including in 1933 under the supervision of Stanislaw Lorentz. From 1972-2006, the church served as the Museum of Architecture.

The Church Heritage Museum was established in 2009 and showcases the oldest sacral valuables. The museum also features lectures, concerts, book presentations, and educational programs for both children and adults. Visitors can learn about the history of Lithuanian Church, sacral art, and architecture.

The harmonious façade of St. Michael's Church is built in a transitional style from Renaissance into Baroque. It features twin towers with elegant Baroque spires on both sides, with pilasters dividing the façade and original capitals decorated with floral motifs. The pediment has a frieze with floral motifs, and atop the belfry sits an iron weathervane representing Saint Michael the Archangel crushing the devil underfoot.

Inside, the church is rich yet austere. It features a single-nave space with tunnel vaults in a pattern of stars, hearts, and rosettes. The high altar is of the late Renaissance style and made of black, red, brown, and dark green marble, decorated with white alabaster. The side altars are rococo style and date back to the 18th century.

St. Michael's Church is a historic and cultural treasure in Vilnius, showcasing the architectural and artistic styles of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as Lithuania's religious and cultural heritage.