Vilniaus Šv. Kazimiero bažnyčia

The Church of St Casimir in Vilnius is not only one of the treasures of Vilnius's old town but also a witness to a rich history. It is considered the first Baroque church in Vilnius, built in 1618. The church was dedicated to St Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania, and its construction was undertaken on the initiative of the Jesuit order with the support of Sigismund Vasa.

The church's design is thought to have been drawn up by the Italian architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni, inspired by the architecture of the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in Rome. Construction was overseen by the noted architects Jonas Prochorovičius and Povilas Bokša. In 1610 the church under construction was devastated by fire, but it was rebuilt and finally completed in 1618, under the supervision of the architect Jonas Frankevičius.

The church's history was not without trials. In 1655 it was badly damaged by the Russian army, but it was renovated and restored again after a fire in 1706. Until 1755 the church's towers were adorned with ornate helmets and lanterns, and its high altar became exceptionally splendid. The sculptures were made by Jonas Kyrneris, and the wall paintings were done by Juozapas Frydrichas Obstas.

In the late 18th century, following the suppression of the Jesuit order, the church became a parish church and passed through the hands of various religious orders. In 1812 Napoleon's army destroyed a good many of the church's interior treasures. Later, in the early 19th century, the church was rebuilt as an Orthodox church, and its exterior and interior underwent significant changes.

In the early 1900s the church returned to the Catholics, and in the mid-20th century its towers were restored to a design by Jonas Mulokas, recreating the Jagiellonian crowns. During the Soviet period the church was closed and even turned into a Museum of Atheism, but in 1988 it was returned to the faithful and repairs began. Finally, in 1991 the church was consecrated and returned to the Jesuits.

Architecturally, the Church of St Casimir in Vilnius is a distinctive combination of Gothic and Renaissance elements, with a Latin-cross plan and a twin-towered basilica structure topped by a dome. It has six chapels and three altars, and cellars lie beneath the side aisles and the sacristy.

Today the Church of St Casimir in Vilnius not only serves as a sacred site but is also an important cultural heritage site that is sure to leave an impression on every visitor.