About the Church
The Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trakai is not only a religious building but also an impressive monument of Lithuanian history, standing in the old town of Trakai, near the charming Lake Luka. The church combines two architectural styles – Gothic and Baroque – reflected in its structure and decoration.
The history of this basilica begins in 1409, when the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas established the parish church of Trakai by a founding privilege. It was given the title of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. This was a significant moment, as the church became an important religious centre, and the Bezdežas district in Belarus was assigned to support three priests. Having begun its journey more than five centuries ago, this building has lived through a great many changes.
Over the centuries the church suffered various blows of fate. In the 16th century it was a typical Gothic hall church without towers. However, like many other buildings of the time, the church was damaged during the war with Moscow in 1655. After this event it was rebuilt and renovated again in 1670.
In the early 18th century, during the Great Northern War, the church suffered again, but by 1719 it had been rebuilt and reconstructed, acquiring Baroque features. At that time towers were added and the central nave was raised. Although the church burned down in 1794, restoration began immediately, and it was renovated several more times during the 19th century.
In 1900 the church was set alight by lightning, but it was rebuilt after this incident as well. Finally, on 15 August 2017, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, acting on the authority of Pope Francis, granted the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trakai the title of minor basilica. This honourable title was solemnly proclaimed on 3 September.
Architecturally this basilica is a true gem. It has an irregular rectangular plan, a twin-tower composition and three-sided apses. Inside you can admire the central nave, covered with barrel vaults, while the side aisles have groin vaults. The Riomeris family chapel in the southern part also adds special charm to the building.
The Trakai basilica is also renowned for its painting of the Mother of God with the Child Jesus. It is believed that Vytautas received this painting from Byzantium, and since then it has become an important object of pilgrimage. Jesuits from Vilnius used to organise solemn processions of pilgrims to honour this sacred image.
Thus, the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trakai is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a living testimony to history, contributing to the preservation of Lithuania's cultural and religious heritage.
The history of this basilica begins in 1409, when the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas established the parish church of Trakai by a founding privilege. It was given the title of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. This was a significant moment, as the church became an important religious centre, and the Bezdežas district in Belarus was assigned to support three priests. Having begun its journey more than five centuries ago, this building has lived through a great many changes.
Over the centuries the church suffered various blows of fate. In the 16th century it was a typical Gothic hall church without towers. However, like many other buildings of the time, the church was damaged during the war with Moscow in 1655. After this event it was rebuilt and renovated again in 1670.
In the early 18th century, during the Great Northern War, the church suffered again, but by 1719 it had been rebuilt and reconstructed, acquiring Baroque features. At that time towers were added and the central nave was raised. Although the church burned down in 1794, restoration began immediately, and it was renovated several more times during the 19th century.
In 1900 the church was set alight by lightning, but it was rebuilt after this incident as well. Finally, on 15 August 2017, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, acting on the authority of Pope Francis, granted the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trakai the title of minor basilica. This honourable title was solemnly proclaimed on 3 September.
Architecturally this basilica is a true gem. It has an irregular rectangular plan, a twin-tower composition and three-sided apses. Inside you can admire the central nave, covered with barrel vaults, while the side aisles have groin vaults. The Riomeris family chapel in the southern part also adds special charm to the building.
The Trakai basilica is also renowned for its painting of the Mother of God with the Child Jesus. It is believed that Vytautas received this painting from Byzantium, and since then it has become an important object of pilgrimage. Jesuits from Vilnius used to organise solemn processions of pilgrims to honour this sacred image.
Thus, the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trakai is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a living testimony to history, contributing to the preservation of Lithuania's cultural and religious heritage.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Atvirukas, nespalvotas. Iš rinkinio „TROKI“. Pavaizduotas Trakų miesto panoramos fragmentas, pirmame plane - paminklas Žygimantui III Vazai (dabar čia stovi miesto globėjo Jono Nepomuko koplytstulpis), tolumoje matosi Trakų Švč. Mergelės Marijos Apsilankymo bazilika. Po iliustracija yra pavadinimas lenkų kalba. Atviruką išleido V. Borkovskis (W. Borkowski), Vilniuje, ~XX a. pr.
Atvirukas, nespalvotas. Iš rinkinio „TROKI“. Pavaizduotas Trakų miesto panoramos fragmentas, tolumoje matosi Trakų Švč. Mergelės Marijos Apsilankymo bazilika. Po iliustracija yra pavadinimas lenkų kalba. Atviruką išleido V. Borkovskis (W. Borkowski), Vilniuje, ~XX a. pr.