About the Church
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Veliuona is a shrine whose grand historical and architectural heritage attracts both local residents and tourists. This church is an important centre of the Catholic faith in Veliuona, situated on the right bank of the Nemunas, near the Vilkija–Jurbarkas road.
The church's history began as far back as 1421, when the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas established the parish. Over time various villages were donated to the parish, which helped maintain this place of religious worship. One of its most significant stages came in 1636–1644, when Albrechtas Stanislovas Radvila built a new masonry church, which was consecrated by Bishop Jurgis Tiškevičius. The church was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, but Gothic features can also be found in it.
The shrine's architecture is distinctive for its rectangular plan and hall-church structure. The church's apse is semicircular, the sacristy has two storeys, and the tower is square. Inside, visitors can admire three aisles and seven altars. In addition, the church has preserved many valuable works of art, among them paintings by Petras Kalpokas and M. E. Andriolis. Particularly noteworthy is the wooden Gothic work "the Madonna of Veliuona", created at the beginning of the 16th century, which is now displayed at the National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum in Kaunas.
The church's interior is also lavish. The organ made by the renowned craftsman Jonas Garalevičius creates a special atmosphere during liturgical rites. The church's churchyard is enclosed by a masonry fence, in which the long-serving parish priest Pranciškus Matulaitis is buried.
Throughout its existence, the church of Veliuona was not only a place of religious worship but also a centre of education. For example, from 1579 a parish school operated here, continuing its work until 1863. Kiprijonas Nezabitauskis-Zabitis should also be mentioned, who served as parish priest here from 1815 to 1831. He was a Lithuanian poet and translator who took an active part in the 1831 uprising.
After many years of use and the effects of time, the church was restored in 2014–2016. The foundations and facades were renewed and the original doors were restored. The facades' brick masonry was restored, the plaster finish and the facade were repainted. A damp-reduction system was installed inside, which helps keep the interior of the shrine dry and secure.
Today the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Veliuona is not only a religious but also a cultural attraction, cherishing its historical heritage and artistic value. The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Žolinė) is held in its surroundings, drawing a good many of the faithful and guests. It is a place where the past meets the present, recalling Lithuania's history and culture that reach back centuries.
The church's history began as far back as 1421, when the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas established the parish. Over time various villages were donated to the parish, which helped maintain this place of religious worship. One of its most significant stages came in 1636–1644, when Albrechtas Stanislovas Radvila built a new masonry church, which was consecrated by Bishop Jurgis Tiškevičius. The church was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, but Gothic features can also be found in it.
The shrine's architecture is distinctive for its rectangular plan and hall-church structure. The church's apse is semicircular, the sacristy has two storeys, and the tower is square. Inside, visitors can admire three aisles and seven altars. In addition, the church has preserved many valuable works of art, among them paintings by Petras Kalpokas and M. E. Andriolis. Particularly noteworthy is the wooden Gothic work "the Madonna of Veliuona", created at the beginning of the 16th century, which is now displayed at the National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum in Kaunas.
The church's interior is also lavish. The organ made by the renowned craftsman Jonas Garalevičius creates a special atmosphere during liturgical rites. The church's churchyard is enclosed by a masonry fence, in which the long-serving parish priest Pranciškus Matulaitis is buried.
Throughout its existence, the church of Veliuona was not only a place of religious worship but also a centre of education. For example, from 1579 a parish school operated here, continuing its work until 1863. Kiprijonas Nezabitauskis-Zabitis should also be mentioned, who served as parish priest here from 1815 to 1831. He was a Lithuanian poet and translator who took an active part in the 1831 uprising.
After many years of use and the effects of time, the church was restored in 2014–2016. The foundations and facades were renewed and the original doors were restored. The facades' brick masonry was restored, the plaster finish and the facade were repainted. A damp-reduction system was installed inside, which helps keep the interior of the shrine dry and secure.
Today the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Veliuona is not only a religious but also a cultural attraction, cherishing its historical heritage and artistic value. The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Žolinė) is held in its surroundings, drawing a good many of the faithful and guests. It is a place where the past meets the present, recalling Lithuania's history and culture that reach back centuries.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Bažnyčios, statytos 1644 m., bendras vaizdas iš toliau. Fotografas karininkas Medardas Vasiliauskas. Nuotrauka paklijuota ant kartoninio pasporto.
Bažnyčios fragmento vaizdas iš toliau.