One of many exceptional baroque churches in Vilnius. A wooden church, destroyed during the 1655 - 1661 War with Moscow, stood in this location since the christening of Lithuania in 1387. Hetman M. K. Pacas, in memory of the liberation from Russians, built the brick Church of St. Peter and Paul during 1667 - 1676. The building seems quite severe and restrained from outside. It is in the form of a Latin cross with the dome and two short towers. The fasade is two tiered with columns and a balcony. The church has a unique old picture portraying the plague in Vilnius (1710). This canvas was restored at the beginning of the 19th century.

The fence surrounding the churchyard and four chapels were built in the second half of the 17th century. The square in front of the church is named Jonas Paulius II Square, in memory of the Pope's visit to Vilnius.

The most valuable asset is the church's interior, in which white predominates. White stucco mouldings: sculptures, relief work, and panels cover all the walls of the church as well as the vault, the dome, and the chapels. The human figures and faces are reckoned at approximately 2000 pieces. The human figures are grouped into separate scenes where parts of the New Testament, the lives of the saints and Lithuanian history are portrayed. The sculptured interior décor has undergone almost no changes since the beginning of its creation and has survived until the present day.

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-front.jpg

interior:
http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-mitt3.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-sidoaltare2.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-sidoaltare7.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-altare.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-altare3.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-votiv1.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-vegg1.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-tak1.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-vegg3.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-tak2.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-tak3.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-sidoaltare5.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-sidoaltare4.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-tak5.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-sidoaltare3.jpg

http://www.qedata.se/bilder/gallerier/litauiskt-galleri/vilnius-petruspaulus/pet-paul-staty2.jpg

The inside of this church is gorgeous :eek2:

9.5/10

WOW, its amazing, havent heared anything about Lithuania, but am interested in it now!

9.0 I love the Baroque, and find it interesting that this church is so far North. The Baroque style was really a response to the Reformation, and there are not that many Baroque style churches in the North.

9.0 I love the Baroque, and find it interesting that this church is so far North. The Baroque style was really a response to the Reformation, and there are not that many Baroque style churches in the North.

in baroque period, Vilnius was one of top 5 cities in Eastern - Central - Northern Europe and when singns of reformation apeared, Polish king and Lithuanian Grand duke Steponas Batoras (Stepan Batory) invited jesuit's to Vilnius, they opened university in 1579. Next 250 years was Golden age to Vilnius, alot exceptional Baroque churches were built by many italian architects which were residing in Vilnius. Later i will make poll's of few other churches

WOW, its amazing, havent heared anything about Lithuania, but am interested in it now!

never heard of three baltic country's? that's strange :)

I saw this church in the 'Land with best churches S&B' (I think)
Great church, the out is not that mind blowing( maybe because I only have one picture of it) but the interior is superb. 9/10!:yes:

very nice, 9/10

in baroque period, Vilnius was one of top 5 cities in Eastern - Central - Northern Europe and when singns of reformation apeared, Polish king and Lithuanian Grand duke Steponas Batoras (Stepan Batory) invited jesuit's to Vilnius, they opened university in 1579. Next 250 years was Golden age to Vilnius, alot exceptional Baroque churches were built by many italian architects which were residing in Vilnius. Later i will make poll's of few other churches

Thanks for the information. I did not know that. I will be looking forward to more polls of baroque churches in the area around Vilnius.

10/10

9/10
very impressive

Jonas paulius II,Pacas ir tt.:))
negalima;)

Inside is a masterpiece
9.5/10

9.5/10

mainly for the stunning interior

8.5/10.

9/10

9/10

9/10

9,5/10

8/10

9/10

9/10

9/10

9/10

9/10

8/10

9,5/10

Same here, the interior is perfect :)

9. Very good. Regards.

8.5/10

Honestly it's one of the most amazing places I've ever seen.

10/10:)

9.5/10

The inside saved it!

The interior looks great, but I would have loved to see more exterior pics. 7/10

8.5/10

9/10

7.5/10