Bernardine Church, Vilnius

The Church of Saint Francis and Saint Bernard, also known as the Bernardine Church, is a Roman Catholic church located right next to Saint Anne鈥檚 Church. Dedicated to Saints Francis of Assisi and Bernardino of Siena, it stands as one of Lithuania鈥檚 most important examples of Gothic architecture.

Following their arrival in Vilnius, the Bernardine monks first built a wooden church in the second half of the 15th century, followed by a brick structure at the end of the century. In the early 16th century, the church was reconstructed and integrated into Vilnius鈥� defensive walls. Later, Renaissance and Baroque elements were added during the 17th and 18th centuries, giving the church its rich architectural character.

The Bernardine Church is notably larger than the nearby Saint Anne鈥檚 Church鈥攁 reflection of a local legend that the monks鈥� sermons were so compelling that they drew large crowds, necessitating a bigger building.

During the Soviet era, the church was closed and repurposed as an art institute, before reopening for worship in 1994. The church houses early 16th-century mural paintings, unique for combining Renaissance composition and subject matter with Gothic stylistics, making them a rare artistic treasure in the world.

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Sight Name: Bernardine Church
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania

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