Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislav, Vilnius, Lithuania

The Cathedral of St. Stanislav and St. Vladislav (Vilnius, Lithuania) – this is not only a major tourist attraction of the city, but the main Roman Catholic Church of the whole country. It is located at the foot of the Castle hill, on top of which stands the tower of Gediminas. To visit the capital of Lithuania and the Cathedral is simply impossible, even if his visit is not included in your plans. To the Cathedral square all roads lead to the old part of the city. What is so famous Cathedral, to whom it is dedicated? That's worth to see, going beneath these majestic arches? We will talk about this in our article.

Status of a Basilica: what does it mean?

First, clarify the question of why the Cathedral of St. Stanislav and St. Vladislav is so important for believers of Vilnius and the whole Lithuania. Since 1922 the Church was given the status of Basilica. The word is derived from the Greek "Basileus" -the Emperor, the king. The title of Basilica temples awards the Pope himself, to emphasize the peculiarity of the Church. And the word “Cathedral” means that the Church – main in the city.

What is so special about the Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Ladislaus, he has such a high rank? First, it is the oldest in the country. Secondly, it was the coronation of monarchs of the great of Lithuania. Third, in the crypt of the Church there are tombs of prominent princes, bishops and nobles. And fourth, it still carried all the important religious services and public celebrations. Why not visit the Vilnius Cathedral would be unfair to yourself.

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Construction History

Once upon a time this place was located a pagan temple. In honor of the God of thunderbolts of Perkunas day and night the fire burns on the altar. This stone relatively recently been found by archaeologists in the vaults of the temple, at this time it is exhibited. In the early thirteenth century, the Lithuanian Prince Mindaugas (reigned from 1223) wanted to gain military support from the Livonians of the strongest at that time in Europe the knights, so he adopted Christianity. On the site of a pagan temple of Perun he built a Church (presumably in the 50-ies of the 13th century). But later, the Prince returned to their former religion. The Church was destroyed and in its place erected a pagan temple to Perkunas the Thunderer.

Finally, in 1387 in the country was finally planted Christianity. From the former capital of Poland Krakow arrived in Vilnius king Jagiello, who was at that time Grand Duke of Lithuania, he personally witnessed the destruction of a pagan temple. In his place the king himself laid the first stone of a Catholic Church. So was built the Cathedral of Vilnius. It was built in the Gothic style with thick walls and buttresses. This Church stood until the year 1419.

Metamorphosis of the temple

From Gothic to modern the temple remained nothing but fragments. Cathedral repeatedly burned (in 1399 and 1419 years, and several times throughout the sixteenth century). Because the temple is located on a Peninsula jutting into the Neris river (Viliya second name), he was frequently the victim of flooding. But the Cathedral of Vilnius is constantly rebuilt by the townspeople and became more and more beautiful. Especially a lot of funds for the construction of the Church donated the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas and his wife Anna Svyatoslavovna.

The Cathedral was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. This from Italy king Sigismund-August was discharged of master architects - Bernardo Zanobi Yes Gianotti, and later Giovanni Cini of Siena. But their great achievements in stone have not survived. The fire of 1610 destroyed the creation of the masters of the Renaissance. The restoration of the Cathedral was carried out by the architect Wilhelm Pohl. His research destroyed Russian troops in 1655, seized the city to the ground and looted Baroque Church. Completed the destruction of the Swedish army.

How the building acquired a modern look

In 1769 over Vilnius swept an unprecedented storm. From the monstrous wind collapsed South tower of the temple, burying under the rubble, six persons of the clergy. This disaster has pushed the citizens to the idea that we need to radically rebuild the Cathedral of Vilnius.

Works for the construction of a new building on the ruins of the old was directed by the famous Lithuanian architect Laurynas, Guzavicius. He conceived an ambitious project-to unite in a single architectural ensemble of different style buildings: the main nave (the Gothic), the chapel of St. Casimir (Baroque), the other chapel (Renaissance). And at the same time the architect wanted the Church meets the spirit of his epoch. And at that time was dominated by classicism. The plan of the architect, the Cathedral was supposed to resemble an ancient Greek temple. To see their offspring Guzavicius was not necessary. But after his death the work was continued by other architects, according to his plan.

Soviet era

In 1922, Pope Benedict bestowed the Second of the Vilnius Cathedral statusBasilica. Even during the Second world war, Church services were held. But the authorities of the USSR after the annexation of Lithuania considered the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus anti-Soviet. The temple was closed and turned into a warehouse. In 1950 he was removed from the roof of the Cathedral, destroyed the statues of the saints. Body came in a deplorable condition. Petitions of citizens in 1956 in the former Cathedral was built art gallery in Vilnius. The organ was restored and since 1963 on Sundays in the Church began to host concerts.

Since 1980, the large-scale works started to save the unique frescoes. They lasted ten years. In 1989 the Church was transferred to the Roman Catholic Church. Was settled with her property issues. The Museum in the walls of the temple remained. It is now housed in the crypt (basement) of the Cathedral.

Exterior and interior

The facade of the building is a Prime example of the classical style. It is decorated with columns, and on the rooftop was recreated from photographs of statues of saints Stanislaus, Helena and Casimir. In the recesses you can see sculptures of the four evangelists.

The Cathedral of Vilnius (Vilnius) is just as beautiful inside as the outside. About fifty murals and paintings 16th-19th centuries adorn its walls. You should pay special attention, is the chapel of St. Casimir. It was built in the early seventeenth century by order of king Sigismund III Vasa.

The construction was attracted by Italian architect K. Tencalla, and as a building material was used by the Swedish Sandstone and multi-colored marble from the Apennines and the Carpathians. In the crypt of the Cathedral are the tomb in which are buried many monarchs, including two Queens, ex-wives of Sigismund Augustus. This is Elizabeth of Habsburg and the most beautiful woman of her time, Barbara Radziwill. Also within the temple walls lies the heart of the king of the Vase.

The Cathedral of Vilnius (Vilnius): address and other useful information

To Find this temple just. It is located in the heart of the city, in Piazza Duomo, 1. To know its just as easy for rises next to the ancient bell tower. The Church is open daily from seven in the morning until 19 hours. To see its interior in the same period, if not held mass. Watch worship services depend on the days of the week and religious holidays.

The Cathedral of Vilnius (Lithuania) is particularly revered by the poles, who come here to worship the ashes of the great kings. The crypt entrance fee (about 4 Euro). In addition to the tombs in the dungeon is a Museum of temple history. There you can see fragments of early masonry churches and pagan altars.