About the Church
The church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Zarasai is one of the most outstanding examples of sacred architecture in north-eastern Lithuania, in Zarasai. Built on one of the town's highest hills, this Neo-Baroque shrine attracts both local residents and visitors with its grandeur and history.
The church's origins go back to the 15th century, when Zarasai was a holding of the Bishop of Vilnius. The first church is mentioned as far back as 1508, and a formal parish was established in 1528. Over many years the church was constantly renovated and extended. At the end of the 16th century, Bishop Jonas of Vilnius decided to renovate and enlarge the existing building. However, the greatest changes came in the 17th century, when Sigismund Vasa funded the construction of a new wooden church, although it was destroyed and rebuilt several times because of war and fires.
In 1837 work began on the design for a masonry church, prepared by Fyodorov, surveyor of Upytė county. The design was revised, and the work was delayed by a shortage of funds and other obstacles. The church, only completed in 1862, soon ran into problems – the walls began to crack. Finally, in 1878, on the initiative of parish priest Pranas Stašauskas, the church was repaired and reinforced.
The Neo-Baroque church has a rectangular plan, two towers, and a single nave. Its interior is adorned with three altars, and the churchyard is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall. Despite difficulties and various hardships, the church remained a strong and important place for the community. On 24 June 1941 Red Army soldiers shelled the church, damaging the tower, but the shrine was again successfully rebuilt.
As not only a religious but also a cultural and historical site, the church continues to delight with its architecture and rich past. It is a place where the connection between past and present can be felt at every step.
The church's origins go back to the 15th century, when Zarasai was a holding of the Bishop of Vilnius. The first church is mentioned as far back as 1508, and a formal parish was established in 1528. Over many years the church was constantly renovated and extended. At the end of the 16th century, Bishop Jonas of Vilnius decided to renovate and enlarge the existing building. However, the greatest changes came in the 17th century, when Sigismund Vasa funded the construction of a new wooden church, although it was destroyed and rebuilt several times because of war and fires.
In 1837 work began on the design for a masonry church, prepared by Fyodorov, surveyor of Upytė county. The design was revised, and the work was delayed by a shortage of funds and other obstacles. The church, only completed in 1862, soon ran into problems – the walls began to crack. Finally, in 1878, on the initiative of parish priest Pranas Stašauskas, the church was repaired and reinforced.
The Neo-Baroque church has a rectangular plan, two towers, and a single nave. Its interior is adorned with three altars, and the churchyard is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall. Despite difficulties and various hardships, the church remained a strong and important place for the community. On 24 June 1941 Red Army soldiers shelled the church, damaging the tower, but the shrine was again successfully rebuilt.
As not only a religious but also a cultural and historical site, the church continues to delight with its architecture and rich past. It is a place where the connection between past and present can be felt at every step.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Gatvės fragmento bendras vaizdas. Matyti gyvenamieji namai (neišlikę) ir tolumoje – Zarasų Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia.