Church of the Visitation in Sejny

The Church of the Visitation in Sejny is a Baroque basilica with two tall towers and a three-tiered facade decorated with Vilnia Baroque details. Inside stands a wooden Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary with Child from the 15th century, the most precious artwork housed here.

Dominican monks began construction of this complex in 1610, completed the initial structure in 1619, and the church received consecration in 1632. After Prussian authorities dissolved the monastery in 1804, a seminary was established here that became significant for regional religious education.

The name honors the Visitation of Mary, a foundational moment in Christian belief. Visitors can sense the deep religious devotion that has shaped this place through the centuries.

The building houses the Diocesan and Ethnographic Museum with exhibitions about regional history through artifacts and documents. The complex sits centrally in Sejny and is easy to reach on foot, with the tall towers visible from a distance.

The seminary established here after 1804 earned the nickname 'Oxford of the North' and attracted students from across the region. This name reflected the intellectual and spiritual importance the place gained for education.

Location: Sejny

Inception: 1619

Architectural style: Viĺnia Baroque

Made from material: masonry

Part of: Zespół klasztorny dominikanów

GPS coordinates: 54.10890,23.34560

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45