Church of St Ann, Vilnius

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St Anne's Church is the most beautiful example of Late Gothic in Lithuania. The construc-
tion works lasted almost a century, completed only in 1581. Since then the exterior has almost not changed.
The facade was created using no less than 33 different kinds of brick - different colours, different shapes - giving it an extraordinary look.
The bell tower, in Neogothic style, was added in 1874.

Opening hours 08.30 to 18.00, daily.

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Napoleon liked this Roman Catholic church so much he said he wanted to take it back to Paris with him.

I liked it very much as well....the twirling intricacy of its brick frontage is really something rather special. 33 different kinds of bricks were used in its construction (I didn't realise there were so many types!).

The existing frontage was probably not completed until 1582, which makes it very late Gothic. The church itself dates from 1500, but a later fire meant that substantial reconstruction was required later that century.

There's also a brick bell-tower entirely separate to the church structure.

Unfortunately, I only got a quick glance inside because one of Vilnius' numerous weddings that day was about to take place.

The towering Gothic facade of St. Anne's Church in the Old Town is one of Vilnius' most precious gems. There is uncertainty around the exact date of construction of this beautiful church but has changed very little in 500 years and is exquisitly preserved.
When Napoleon's armies came through Vilnius, the church was given over to the French Cavalry forces and it is claimed that on seeing St. Anne's church, Napolean wanted to take it back to Paris!
The church is accompanied by a belltower built in a similar style.

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Wah..it's the most impressive red-bricks Gothic church in Lithuania. It was built in 1500 and Napoleon admired it most and wanted to move St Ann church near the Notre Dame.

Architect not known, by the history, he wanted to apply all possibilities of brick construction to build this church, and he managed it! Real, archaic interior of church burned, but present interior alike medieval by form and architecture, despite of baroque style of altars.

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This rather small church is considered to be a real masterpiece of French-Flemish Gothic. Founded by King Aleksander Jagiellonczyk and designed by Michal Carpentavius of Gdansk, it was built in 1501-1502. Its beautiful lace-like facade delights the eye so much that Napoleon, who stayed in Vilnius before his invasion on Russia, is known to have said that he would like to carry this treasure to France on the palm of his hand. The construction required the use of bricks of 33 different shapes to produce the fantastic visual effects of interlacing arches.
The belfry, inferior in design, comes from a later period, and the interior is a little disappointing, except for the 18th century paintings of St Ann, Our Lady and St John of Nepomuk.

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St. Anne's Church or Šv. Onos bažnyèia is a Roman Catholic church in Vilnius' Old Town, on the right bank of the Vilnia River. It is a prominent example of both Flamboyant Gothic and Brick Gothic styles. St. Anne's is among the features of Vilnius Old Town that enabled the district to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sitesThe first church at this site, thought to be wooden, was built for Anna, the second wife of Vytautas the Great. Originally initially intended for the use of Catholic Germans and other visiting Catholics, it was destoyed by a fire in 1419. The present brick church was constructed on the initiative of Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander in 1495 - 1500.

This picturesque church is worth a quick visit. Its Gothic look helps it stand out from other churches in the city-- a major feat given the number of churches in Vilnius! St. Anne's was built around the year 1500, so it's also certainly one of the older churches in town as well. After reading about it, I was surprised to find how small it seemed, especially with the much larger Bernardine church behind it.

St Anna is situated on Mauronio Street and is a part of complex with St Bernardin Church. It was built in 1495-1500 in Gothic style. The church was several times reconstructed during XVI-XVII centuries.