Vilnius Cathedral, Neoclassical cathedral in Old Town, Lithuania
The Cathedral of St Stanislaus and St Vladislaus is a neoclassical church with a columned facade, a freestanding bell tower, and several side chapels inside. The crypt beneath the floor houses burial sites and remains from earlier construction phases, while the main nave features high vaults and sculptures.
A wooden church stood at this site since 1387, destroyed several times by fires and wars. The architect Laurynas Gucevičius designed the current stone facade in neoclassical style between 1783 and 1801, inspired by ancient models.
The bell tower beside the main building rises at the site of the former fortress wall and marks the central square of the Old Town. Visitors often gather at the base where a special tile marked "Stebuklas" lies, believed locally to grant wishes when you turn on it.
The building stands directly on Cathedral Square opposite the Grand Ducal Palace and opens daily with free entry. Guided tours of the crypts are available, leading through underground passages to burial chambers and foundation remains.
Archaeologists uncovered beneath the foundations remains of a pagan sanctuary from the 13th century dedicated to the god Perkūnas. The stone blocks from the old temple were later reused when building the first Christian church.
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