Gates of Basilians, Vilnius

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As you walk along Ausros Vartu Street this amazing structure immediately catches your eye with its charming late baroque form. Built in 1748 by J. K. Glaubitz, the Basilian Gates are decorated with a composition depicting the Holy Trinity and lead to the yard of Holy Trinity Church.
The first wooden church was founded on this site in 1347 to commemorate three martyrs, Antanas, Jonas and Eustakijus, who had been hanged on the hill there for converting to the Orthodox faith. According to one source, the present church and monastery date back to the 18th century and were built by the Basilians. Another source, however, attributes the construction of the new church to Duke Konstanty Ostrogski to commemorate the victory over the Muscovite army at Orsza in 1514. I wish I were a historian to know which is true.
At the beginning of the 19th century the southern wing of the monastery was converted into a prison. It was here that the Polish national bard Adam Mickiewicz was imprisoned for his participation in the independence movement. And where the insurgents of the November 1831 and January 1863 Uprisings shared his fate.

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The Basilian Gate and the Holy Trinity Church are part of an architectural ensemble which belongs to the Uniate Basilian monks (Greek Catholics).

The rococo-style gate was built in 1761 after designs of the architect J. K Glaubitz.

The Gothic Holy Trinity Church dates back to the early 16th century. Two rococo towers were added after a fire in the 18th century. The Soviets used the Church as a workshop and a prison.

The church especially is still undergoing massive restoration, both from the exterior and interior.

Directions:
The Basilian Gate and the Holy Trinity Church are situated at Ausros vartu 7b; near the southern end of Vilnius' old town. From the street you only see the gate which leads you to the church.

On Ausrus Vartu you may see the gate (to the right from St Teresa) that leads you to Holy Trinity Church. It is completely destroyed inside as well as the outside view is far from the normal. The church was built in XVI century as the Orthodox. In 1608-1827 the church belonged toUniates but then was returned to Orthodox. Since 1991 the church is under Uniates control again.

This Rococo-style gate was built in the 18th century, and leads to the Basilian Monastery and the church of the Holy Trinity.
The gate has just been restored to its beauty, while both the church and the monastery still nedd some restoration.

When I passed by the building of Lithuanian National Philharmony I saw... look at my picture. The rococco Basilian gate was built in 1761 and was 17.9 m high (almost 6 store building nowadays). It looked so impressive that I had to go through it to discover Holy Trinity Church and Basilian Monastery behind (off the beaten path) - simply my recommendation!

Rococco style was born in France and was widely used in Europe in 18th century including for sure as I noticed Lithuania and Latvia (Riga).

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