Švėkšnos Šv. apaštalo Jokūbo bažnyčia

The Švėkšna Church of St James the Apostle is an impressive Gothic Revival church in the heart of the small town of Švėkšna, in Šilutė district. Its parish's origins go back to the beginning of the 16th century, when the first wooden church was built on the orders of the Samogitian elder Mikalojus Kęsgaila, and on 8 October 1652 the church received its first consecration.

Over the centuries the wooden churches burned down several times and were rebuilt anew. The present red-brick church rose according to the design of the Swedish architect Karl Eduard Strandmann – it was built over about five years and was consecrated by Bishop Kasparas Cirtautas on 24 July 1905, with around 15,000 pilgrims present.

The basilica, with a Latin-cross plan, is remarkable for its impressive size: 57 metres in length, with two towers rising to a height of 65 metres. The interior is adorned with no fewer than ten altars – the high altar, made in the Purger workshop in Tyrol, was donated by Count Aleksandras Pliateris. The organ was installed in 1907, and beneath the main altar lies the crypt of the clergy and founders. The churchyard is enclosed by a Gothic masonry wall with small turrets, and an original viaduct links the church with the neighbouring park.