Kaplica Ostrobramska, Renaissance chapel above the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Kaplica Ostrobramska sits above the Gate of Dawn, the last remaining gate of Vilnius' medieval defensive walls. The small chapel houses a Renaissance painting of the Virgin Mary from 1630, framed in silver.
The Discalced Carmelites built a wooden chapel here in 1671. A fire in 1715 destroyed it, leading to the construction of the brick building that still stands today.
The chapel draws daily visitors who leave small silver offerings and speak prayers of request to the image. These acts of devotion show how alive the faith in the painting's power remains today.
You can visit the chapel during Mass services offered on weekday mornings. It is best to check the exact times before your visit, as they can shift with the season.
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary without the infant Jesus, which is unusual for Renaissance religious art. This distinctive feature has made the work and its location spiritually meaningful to many pilgrims.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
