Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, Vilnius

The Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross is a Baroque structure with two slender towers and brick walls rising from a riverbank. Inside, six ornate altars display colorful artificial marble surfaces decorated with painted scenes from scripture.

Construction finished in 1700, and the building received major restoration work in 1755 supported by Lithuanian noble families. This repair campaign preserved the Baroque structure for centuries to come.

This church forms part of the Vilnius Calvary pilgrimage complex, where visitors can follow a traditional prayer route with multiple stations. The site draws people seeking spiritual connection through walking the same path that pilgrims have used for generations.

The church sits on the east bank of the Neris River and serves as a starting point for walks along marked prayer paths. The surrounding area offers clear directions between multiple devotional stations spread throughout the site.

During the 1812 French invasion, the building served as military barracks and a field hospital, causing the loss of many historical records. This unexpected wartime role left lasting marks on the site's past.

Location: Vilnius

Inception: 1694

Architects: Johann Christoph Glaubitz

Architectural style: baroque architecture, Baroque

Made from material: brick

Website: http://vilniauskalvarijos.lt/?id=1&lng=0

GPS coordinates: 54.74040,25.27960

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:57