About the Church
Holy Cross Church in Vilnius is one of the jewels of Baroque architecture adorning Vilnius Old Town. The church has a long and multifaceted history, closely bound up with the Bonifratres order.
Although the exact date of the church's construction is not entirely clear, most sources state that it was built in 1543. Other sources claim that construction may have taken place at a later date — in 1635 or even 1725. Despite these discrepancies, it is worth noting that after a fire in 1737 the church was rebuilt, giving it an impressive late Baroque interior.
During the Soviet era the church was not used for religious rites but as the so-called Small Baroque Hall — a space for art and culture. In 1976 a new organ was installed there, further enriching the place both acoustically and aesthetically.
On 8 December 1995 Holy Cross Church in Vilnius reopened its doors to the faithful. Since then Mass has been celebrated there in Lithuanian, and it has become an integral part of the Vilnius Catholic community.
Besides its religious significance, the church is also a valuable cultural monument, attracting both Vilnius residents and visitors to the city. Its history, architecture and works of art create a special atmosphere that lets one feel the grandeur and splendour of the Baroque era.
Holy Cross Church in Vilnius is thus not merely a house of prayer; it is a treasury of history and culture that tells of Vilnius's past, the hardships it has endured, and its living present.
Although the exact date of the church's construction is not entirely clear, most sources state that it was built in 1543. Other sources claim that construction may have taken place at a later date — in 1635 or even 1725. Despite these discrepancies, it is worth noting that after a fire in 1737 the church was rebuilt, giving it an impressive late Baroque interior.
During the Soviet era the church was not used for religious rites but as the so-called Small Baroque Hall — a space for art and culture. In 1976 a new organ was installed there, further enriching the place both acoustically and aesthetically.
On 8 December 1995 Holy Cross Church in Vilnius reopened its doors to the faithful. Since then Mass has been celebrated there in Lithuanian, and it has become an integral part of the Vilnius Catholic community.
Besides its religious significance, the church is also a valuable cultural monument, attracting both Vilnius residents and visitors to the city. Its history, architecture and works of art create a special atmosphere that lets one feel the grandeur and splendour of the Baroque era.
Holy Cross Church in Vilnius is thus not merely a house of prayer; it is a treasury of history and culture that tells of Vilnius's past, the hardships it has endured, and its living present.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
KOŚCIÓŁ W KALWARII POD WILNEM
[Vilniaus Kalvarijų Šv. Kryžiaus Atradimo bažnyčia]
Fot. Jan Bulhak
Wydawca: Książnica-Atlas Ska Akc., Lwów, ul. Czarnieckiego 12. Odbito w Zakł. Graf. S. A. Książnica-Atlas, Lwów, Rozwadowskiego 20. Leidinio [nr.] 789, 1939.
REPRODUKCJA WZBRONIONA. ORYGINALNA FOTOGRAFIA. Printed in Poland.
VILNIUS. Kalvarijos bažnyčia
[[Vilniaus Šv. Kryžiaus Atradimo (Kalvarijų) bažnyčios fasadas ir laiptai]
Išleido „Spaudos Fondas“. „Spindulio“ giliaspaudė. Perspausdinti draudžiama