Sts. Johns' Church, Vilnius

The Church of St. Johns, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is a historical landmark located in the Old Town of Vilnius. The church has been an important religious and cultural center since its establishment in 1388-1426. The Jesuit Academy professors and students used to pray in the church, and Vilnius theologians gave sermons. It was also a place for performances and disputes, where theses were defended and kings greeted.

The church has undergone many changes and renovations throughout history. The tower, separate from the church, was built in the 16th century. After a fire in 1737, the church was reconstructed by architect Johann Christoph Glaubitz in the late Baroque style. However, during the reconstruction of 1827-28, architect Karol Podczaszynski destroyed much of the sumptuous Baroque interior, including nearly 3000 carts of altars, sculptures, and stucco works. Despite the destruction, the church still retains its original Gothic layout, with a 28-by-69-metre (92 ft × 226 ft) hall church with three naves and seven asymmetrical chapels.

The central focus of the church interior is a unique composition of 10 presbytery altars positioned in a semi-circle on varying planes and levels. The Gothic presbytery windows allow light to illuminate the altars, which are abundantly decorated with paintings and sculptures. The church also contains 18 sculptures, 12 of which represent various saints bearing the name of John, located in the central nave at the pillars. All frescoes in the church date from the 18th century and were restored in the 1970s. The church contains many memorial monuments, including those to Konstantinas Sirvydas, Adam Mickiewicz, and Simonas Daukantas.

In addition to its religious and cultural significance, the Church of St. Johns played a role in Lithuania's political history. During Hitler's occupation, Reverend Alfonsas Lipniūnas delivered rebellious sermons in the church, for which he was later imprisoned by the Nazis in the Stutthof camp and perished. In 1991, the church was returned to its parishioners, and in 1993, Pope John Paul II held a meeting with intellectuals here.