History Vilnius Cathedral

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the fresco in vilnius cathedral, dating christianization of lithuania


it believed in pre-christian times, baltic pagan god perkūnas worshiped @ site of cathedral. has been postulated lithuanian king mindaugas ordered construction of original cathedral in 1251 after conversion christianity , appointment of bishop lithuania. remains of archaic quadratic church 3 naves , massive buttresses have been discovered underneath current structure in late 20th century. after mindaugas s death in 1263, first cathedral again became place of pagan worship.


in 1387, year in lithuania officially converted christianity, construction began on second gothic cathedral 5 chapels. second cathedral, however, burnt down in 1419. during preparations 1429 coronation king of lithuania, vytautas built larger gothic cathedral in place. although coronation never took place, walls , pillars of third cathedral have survived day. third cathedral had 3 naves , 4 circular towers @ corners, , flemish traveler guillebert de lannoy noticed similarity frauenburg cathedral. in 1522, cathedral renovated, , bell tower built on top of lower castle defensive tower. after fire in 1530, rebuilt again , between 1534 - 1557 more chapels , crypts added. cathedral acquired architectural features associated renaissance.


in 1529, crown prince , future king of poland, sigismund ii augustus, crowned grand duke of lithuania in cathedral. after yet fire in 1610, cathedral rebuilt again, , 2 front towers added. cathedral damaged again in 1655 when vilnius fell russian troops in russo-polish war of 1654–1667. renovated , redecorated several more times.



façade of vilnius cathedral in old drawing.



litas coin commemorate vilnius cathedral (from series historical , architectural monuments of lithuania )


between 1623 - 1636, @ initiative of sigismund iii vasa , later completed son wladyslaw iv vasa, baroque style saint casimir chapel royal architect constantino tencalla built of swedish sandstone. interior reconstructed in 1691-1692 , decorated frescoes michelangelo palloni, altar , stuccowork pietro perti. chapel contains sculpted statutes of jagiellon kings , epitaph wladyslaw iv vasa s heart. more in cathedral chapel symbolizes glory of polish-lithuanian union , common history.


in 1769 southern tower, built during reconstruction of 1666 collapsed, destroying vaults of neighbouring chapel , killing 6 people. after damage, bishop of vilnius ignacy jakub massalski ordered reconstruction of cathedral. works started in 1779 , completed in 1783, , interior completed in 1801. cathedral reconstructed present appearance according design of laurynas gucevičius in neoclassical style; church acquired strict quadrangular shape common local public buildings. main facade adorned sculptures of 4 evangelists italian sculptor tommaso righi. scholars point architectural resemblance of cathedral works of andrea palladio or see influence of gucevičius s tutor claude nicolas ledoux. influence of palladian architecture evident in side facades of building. lack of purity of classical architecture, due incorporation of baroque style sculptures , other elements, later criticized academical architects, notably karol podczaszyński.


between 1786 , 1792 3 sculptures kazimierz jelski placed on roof of cathedral - saint casimir on south side, saint stanislaus on north, , saint helena in centre. these sculptures removed in 1950 , restored in 1997. presumably sculpture of st. casimir symbolized lithuania, of st. stanislaus symbolized poland, , of st. helena holding cross represents true cross.



façade of vilnius cathedral following restoration of 2006-2007


in 2002 work officially began rebuild royal palace of lithuania behind cathedral. newly erected palace building considerably alter context of cathedral.


the cathedral , belfry thoroughly renovated 2006 2008. facades covered fresh multicolor paintwork, enhancing external appearance of buildings. first renovation since restoration of lithuania s independence in 1990.








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