About the Church
The All Saints' Church in Vilnius is one of the most impressive and historically important sacred buildings in the Old Town of Vilnius. Built as early as 1631, it is a fine example of early Baroque architecture with some Renaissance features.
The church was built over the course of a decade (1620–1630) on the initiative and at the expense of Wojciech Chłudziński, secretary to the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The building was entrusted to the Carmelites of the Old Observance, who took over older houses adapted for the monastery and integrated them into the new complex. Unfortunately, the church suffered misfortune more than once – in 1655 it was damaged by fire, but was successfully rebuilt just a few years later, in 1661.
In the 18th century the monastery and church complex was extended: in 1743 a bell tower and sacristy were built, above which a library was installed. Thanks to the friar Antanas Šperkovičius a refectory was added, and the interior sculptures were created by the renowned contemporary artist A. Šelis.
Life at the church was difficult not only because of fires – in 1812 Napoleon's army caused considerable damage: soldiers destroyed the pews and confessionals, and a hospital was set up in the monastery. Although the church was renovated in 1823, in time it suffered again – at the end of the 19th century the churchyard wall was demolished, and later, in 1885, the monastery itself was closed, with flats fitted out in the building.
At the start of the 20th century, in 1902, the parish priest L. Čiudovskis initiated the restoration of the church's frescoes, but conflicts between Lithuanians and Poles over the language of preaching soon broke out. The first sermon in Lithuanian was not heard here until 1908.
One of the darker episodes in its history came in 1948, when the church was closed and turned into a grocery warehouse. Fortunately, the church was restored in 1967–1975 to a design by the architect Aldona Švabauskienė, and in 1991 it was returned to the faithful and once again became a house of prayer.
Architecturally, the All Saints' Church in Vilnius is towerless, a three-nave basilica on a cross-shaped plan with a three-sided apse. Beside it stands a five-tier Rococo-style masonry bell tower. Inside the church as many as 19 altars can be found, which further enhances its uniqueness and grandeur.
Although the All Saints' Church has faced many hardships over the centuries, today it remains an important cultural and historical monument, symbolising the spirit and history of the city of Vilnius.
The church was built over the course of a decade (1620–1630) on the initiative and at the expense of Wojciech Chłudziński, secretary to the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The building was entrusted to the Carmelites of the Old Observance, who took over older houses adapted for the monastery and integrated them into the new complex. Unfortunately, the church suffered misfortune more than once – in 1655 it was damaged by fire, but was successfully rebuilt just a few years later, in 1661.
In the 18th century the monastery and church complex was extended: in 1743 a bell tower and sacristy were built, above which a library was installed. Thanks to the friar Antanas Šperkovičius a refectory was added, and the interior sculptures were created by the renowned contemporary artist A. Šelis.
Life at the church was difficult not only because of fires – in 1812 Napoleon's army caused considerable damage: soldiers destroyed the pews and confessionals, and a hospital was set up in the monastery. Although the church was renovated in 1823, in time it suffered again – at the end of the 19th century the churchyard wall was demolished, and later, in 1885, the monastery itself was closed, with flats fitted out in the building.
At the start of the 20th century, in 1902, the parish priest L. Čiudovskis initiated the restoration of the church's frescoes, but conflicts between Lithuanians and Poles over the language of preaching soon broke out. The first sermon in Lithuanian was not heard here until 1908.
One of the darker episodes in its history came in 1948, when the church was closed and turned into a grocery warehouse. Fortunately, the church was restored in 1967–1975 to a design by the architect Aldona Švabauskienė, and in 1991 it was returned to the faithful and once again became a house of prayer.
Architecturally, the All Saints' Church in Vilnius is towerless, a three-nave basilica on a cross-shaped plan with a three-sided apse. Beside it stands a five-tier Rococo-style masonry bell tower. Inside the church as many as 19 altars can be found, which further enhances its uniqueness and grandeur.
Although the All Saints' Church has faced many hardships over the centuries, today it remains an important cultural and historical monument, symbolising the spirit and history of the city of Vilnius.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Vilniaus vaizdas. Visų Šventųjų bažnyčia, Bazilionų vienuolynas, rusų cerkvė ir sena miesto siena. Perfotografuotas grafikos (?) kūrinys.