About the Church
The church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Valkininkai is an impressive place of worship with a rich history, standing in the small town of Valkininkai, in Varėna district. The church is not only an example of Classicist architecture but is also a witness to many important historical events.
The first written sources mentioning a church in Valkininkai date back to 1555, when the first wooden church was founded. An inventory of 1611 records a newly built church by the marketplace, which became the small town's spiritual centre. In addition, between 1635 and 1650 a masonry monastery with a church was built, which became one of the region's principal religious centres.
However, this place suffered no shortage of misfortunes over the centuries. In 1655 the parish church burned down, but was soon rebuilt. Sadly, it burned down again in 1772, after which a temporary church was built, which was then destroyed by a storm in 1818. From then on services were held for a time in the cemetery chapel.
The monastery's fate was likewise not an easy one. In 1832 the Russian authorities closed the monastery and turned it into barracks, converting the monastery church into an Orthodox garrison church. In 1883 the church was rebuilt as a public Orthodox church, but the building was blown up during the Second World War.
The present masonry church was built in 1837 and consecrated in 1854 by Bishop Vaclovas Žilinskas. The church was enlarged several times, although this was not always straightforward: the authorities often refused to permit major reconstructions because of rivalry with the Orthodox church.
The church's history also features many significant figures. For example, Silvestras Gimžauskas was parish priest here from 1884 to 1892 and was reported to the authorities for distributing the Lithuanian press and for his influence over the school. Jonas Karvelis, parish priest from 1918, was persecuted by the Polish authorities, arrested and deported to independent Lithuania.
During the Second World War the parish priest Juozas Bardišauskas performed a noble deed, obtaining the Nazis' permission to bury the victims of the Pirčiupiai massacre. He later led the local underground organisation, the “Lithuanian Partisans' Union”. In the Soviet years the church also faced many difficulties – priests were persecuted for catechising children, and the authorities obstructed repair works.
Today the church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Valkininkai is not only a religious centre but also a cultural heritage site. Its Classicist style, two-tower structure and stone wall simply invite visitors to stop and admire this architectural gem. It is a place where historical events, spiritual values and community life all come together.
The first written sources mentioning a church in Valkininkai date back to 1555, when the first wooden church was founded. An inventory of 1611 records a newly built church by the marketplace, which became the small town's spiritual centre. In addition, between 1635 and 1650 a masonry monastery with a church was built, which became one of the region's principal religious centres.
However, this place suffered no shortage of misfortunes over the centuries. In 1655 the parish church burned down, but was soon rebuilt. Sadly, it burned down again in 1772, after which a temporary church was built, which was then destroyed by a storm in 1818. From then on services were held for a time in the cemetery chapel.
The monastery's fate was likewise not an easy one. In 1832 the Russian authorities closed the monastery and turned it into barracks, converting the monastery church into an Orthodox garrison church. In 1883 the church was rebuilt as a public Orthodox church, but the building was blown up during the Second World War.
The present masonry church was built in 1837 and consecrated in 1854 by Bishop Vaclovas Žilinskas. The church was enlarged several times, although this was not always straightforward: the authorities often refused to permit major reconstructions because of rivalry with the Orthodox church.
The church's history also features many significant figures. For example, Silvestras Gimžauskas was parish priest here from 1884 to 1892 and was reported to the authorities for distributing the Lithuanian press and for his influence over the school. Jonas Karvelis, parish priest from 1918, was persecuted by the Polish authorities, arrested and deported to independent Lithuania.
During the Second World War the parish priest Juozas Bardišauskas performed a noble deed, obtaining the Nazis' permission to bury the victims of the Pirčiupiai massacre. He later led the local underground organisation, the “Lithuanian Partisans' Union”. In the Soviet years the church also faced many difficulties – priests were persecuted for catechising children, and the authorities obstructed repair works.
Today the church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Valkininkai is not only a religious centre but also a cultural heritage site. Its Classicist style, two-tower structure and stone wall simply invite visitors to stop and admire this architectural gem. It is a place where historical events, spiritual values and community life all come together.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Valkininkų Švč. Mergelės Marijos Apsilankymo bažnyčia (pastatyta 1837 m.).