St. Anne's Church, Vilnius (must see)
St. Anne鈥檚 Church is a well-known landmark in Vilnius, located on the left bank of the Vilnia River. This Roman Catholic church is admired for its impressive Flamboyant and Brick Gothic architecture and is one of the important monuments that contributed to Vilnius Old Town being included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The site鈥檚 first church, a wooden structure, was built in 1394 for German Catholics and other foreign visitors. While a legend connects it to Anna, Grand Duchess of Lithuania, who was a known benefactor, historical evidence suggests the church was not originally built specifically for her. After the wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1419, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander I Jagiellon commissioned the construction of the current brick church between 1495 and 1500. Its exterior has remained virtually unchanged since that time.
According to local legend, Emperor Napoleon was so captivated by the church during his 1812 campaign that he wished he could carry it back to Paris 鈥渋n the palm of his hand.鈥� The story has become part of Vilnius鈥� folklore, reflecting the deep admiration this elegant structure continues to inspire.
The church鈥檚 facade is a masterpiece of balance and rhythm, combining pointed Gothic arches with rectangular frames and vertical lines that create a sense of graceful movement. Built from 33 different types of clay bricks, the red-brick surface shimmers beautifully in the sunlight. Inside, the simpler Baroque interior, redesigned in 1749, contrasts with the richly detailed exterior, offering a calm and contemplative space for worship.
A neo-Gothic bell tower, added in the 1870s, complements the church鈥檚 architecture and completes this harmonious ensemble. Today, St. Anne鈥檚 Church remains one of the finest symbols of Vilnius鈥攁n enduring blend of legend, artistry, and faith that continues to enchant visitors, just as it once captivated Napoleon himself.
The site鈥檚 first church, a wooden structure, was built in 1394 for German Catholics and other foreign visitors. While a legend connects it to Anna, Grand Duchess of Lithuania, who was a known benefactor, historical evidence suggests the church was not originally built specifically for her. After the wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1419, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander I Jagiellon commissioned the construction of the current brick church between 1495 and 1500. Its exterior has remained virtually unchanged since that time.
According to local legend, Emperor Napoleon was so captivated by the church during his 1812 campaign that he wished he could carry it back to Paris 鈥渋n the palm of his hand.鈥� The story has become part of Vilnius鈥� folklore, reflecting the deep admiration this elegant structure continues to inspire.
The church鈥檚 facade is a masterpiece of balance and rhythm, combining pointed Gothic arches with rectangular frames and vertical lines that create a sense of graceful movement. Built from 33 different types of clay bricks, the red-brick surface shimmers beautifully in the sunlight. Inside, the simpler Baroque interior, redesigned in 1749, contrasts with the richly detailed exterior, offering a calm and contemplative space for worship.
A neo-Gothic bell tower, added in the 1870s, complements the church鈥檚 architecture and completes this harmonious ensemble. Today, St. Anne鈥檚 Church remains one of the finest symbols of Vilnius鈥攁n enduring blend of legend, artistry, and faith that continues to enchant visitors, just as it once captivated Napoleon himself.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vilnius. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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St. Anne's Church on Map
Sight Name: St. Anne's Church
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania
Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vilnius is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour
Legend has it that Grand Duke Gediminas dreamed of an iron wolf howling on a hill, inspiring him to found a city that would grow into today鈥檚 Vilnius. Centuries later, in 1812, when Napoleon passed through Vilnius during his Russian campaign, he reportedly described the city as 鈥渁 pearl of the north, full of charm and surprises.鈥�
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of Eastern... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of Eastern... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Historical Churches Tour
As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts a wealth of gorgeous churches featuring diverse architectural styles 鈥� Gothic, Baroque, to mention but a few. Many of the local churches are historical, having witnessed centuries of events and become iconic landmarks of the Lithuanian capital.
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
U啪upis District Walking Tour
A tiny isolated area and a former suburb, which now forms part of the Old Town of Vilnius, the Uzupis district is often compared, for its bohemian and laissez-faire atmosphere, to Montmartre of Paris and Freetown Christiania of Copenhagen. Similarly to the latter, in 1997, the district declared itself an independent republic; the tongue-in-cheek constitution of the self-proclaimed 鈥渞epublic鈥�,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles