Church of St. Michael, Vilnius

The Church of St. Michael is a baroque church building with a whitewashed facade and twin towers rising in central Vilnius. The interior features barrel vaults and a high altar constructed from different marble types, creating an elegant spatial composition.

The church was commissioned by Lew Sapieha, Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, starting in 1594 as a family burial chapel. Construction extended until 1604, establishing the building as a significant early baroque structure in Vilnius.

The interior displays paintings and sculptures that reflect Lithuanian religious art traditions accumulated over centuries. Visitors can see the craftsmanship in these works as they walk through the side chapels and main nave.

The building is located in Old Town Vilnius near Cathedral Square and other historic sites that visitors often explore together. Plan time to study the facade details and interior features, particularly the wall paintings and side chapels.

Perched on the church bell tower is an 18th-century iron weathervane depicting Archangel Michael vanquishing the devil. This sculptural detail often goes unnoticed by visitors despite being a skilled example of the metalwork from that era.

Location: Vilnius

Inception: 1625

Architects: Giovanni Battista Gisleni

Architectural style: baroque architecture

Made from material: brick

GPS coordinates: 54.68278,25.29222

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:53