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One of Vilnius' main landmarks is the white Cathedral (Arkikatedra Bazilika). The current structure dates back to the early 15th century, but as most churches in Vilnius it suffered many fires.
In the 18th century the building got its French-classicist appearance. During the Soviet area the Cathedral was used as an art gallery, but returned to the Catholic Church in 1990.
The Cathedral is topped by three saints. They are replicas of the original ones, which were thrown away by the Soviets in 1950.
When we visited Vilnius in summer 2006, the 52 m high free-standing belfry was unfortunately completely scaffolded.
Directions:
The Cathedral with its freestanding belfry can be found at the western end of Gediminas Hill.
Address:
Cathedral, Katedros a. 1, Vilnius Leave a Comment
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 The Cathedral by LanaFromRiga
Most beautiful and large church is Cathedral in a very centre of Vilnius. Leave a Comment Directions: The Cathedral is situated besides large Katedros area.
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 by Carletto76
It was first built in the 13th century, but due to fires, wars, and unstable ground, it was rebuilt quite a lot of times, and so you can find many different styles in it, expecially in the interior, from gothic to baroque to renaissance.
The exterior is much less interesting, in its neoclassical style, while inside the Cathedral there are some wonderful treasures, the most famous is the baroque chapel of St. Casimir. Leave a Comment Phone: +370.5.2611127Directions: At the end of Pilies gatve
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 Cathedral by magor65
In the soviet period the cathedral was turned into picture gallery and concert hall. The 5-metre figures which present saint Helen, Casimir and Stanislaus were destroyed at that time. But in 1996 copies were put in their place. Leave a Comment Directions: Near the tower of Gediminas
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The monumental building of Vilnius Cathedral stands at the foot of Gediminas hill. In ancient times it was the site of an altar, an eternal fire or even a pagan temple. The first cathedral was built here in 1251 by King Mindaugas, but was later pulled down by the pagans.
In 1387 the Polish King and Grand Duke of Lithuania, Wladyslaw Jagiello had a Gothic style cathedral erected there to mark the official conversion of Lithuania to Christianity.
The cathedral was the venue of the coronation ceremonies of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, funerals of the royalty and many church and state celebrations.
Rebuilt many a time, it now features Gothic, Renaissance and baroque elements, but its outward appearance is a great example of classicist architecture.
When we visited it towards the end of our day of sightseeing, a christening ceremony was taking place there so we couldn't explore it inside. On our second visit to Vilnius a Lithuanian Mass was in progress but I managed to creep in to see its apparently most beautiful part, the 17th century chapel of St Casimir, which I found really stunning. No chance of taking any pictures though. If you get down to the catacombs, the museum there features the history of the building from the pagan temple until the present time, while in the mausoleum you can view the tombs of Lithuanian and Polish royalty.
The Cathedral has always been in the centre of political and spiritual life of the country. Even in the years 1946-1989, when the Soviet authorities turned it first into a store and then into a 'Picture Gallery' with the altars covered and chapels locked, some state celebrations did take place there and in the 1980's the mass political and religious demonstrations outside the Cathedral walls, led to its final return to the faithful in October 1989. Leave a Comment Phone: (+370 5) 261 11 27Directions: Near the tower of Gediminas
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 Cathedral Square by ginteLeave a Comment Directions: Cathedral Square
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 St. Casimir chapel by magor65Leave a Comment Directions: Near the tower of Gediminas
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 by sihi
The Cathedral was established in the XIII century by King Mindaugas, on the site of the former pagan sanctuary. The Gothic Cathedral was built to mark the official conversion of Lithuania to Catholicism in 1387 and became the main bishopric church. The building was rebuilt several times as a result of fires, wars. The last reconstruction(in XVIII century) made Cathedral the most notable Classicist building in Lithuania.
The Royal Mausoleum that is situated in underground, now holds the remains of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes and Polish Kings, among them Grand Duke Alexander Jogailaitis, two of the wives of Zygmunt August and the heart of Grand Duke Wladyslaw Waza. Leave a Comment Directions: Near the tower of Gediminas
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 Cathedral by Dabs
The Cathedral was closed by the Soviets in 1950 and used as a picture gallery although I suppose that's a heck of a lot better than a museum of atheism like st. Casimir. It was returned to the Catholic church in 1990, services are held here daily.
The square around the Cathedral is a terrific place to people watch and, of course, take photographs. Be sure to go inside, highlights include eleven chapels, especially the Chapel of St. Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania. Leave a Comment
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 The Cathedral by Gosia78
The Cathedral was the most monumental building with the purest classical style in the entire territory of the Polish-Lithuanian state (Rzeczpospolita). Now, a tall portico with 6 Doric columns and sculptures by the Italian sculptor, T. Righi, which stand in the niches, decorate the main fasade of the Cathedral. The tympanum portrays the sacrifice of Noah. Phone: tel. (+370 5) 261 11 27Directions: Near the tower of Gediminas
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