The Cathedral Basilica of Sts Stanislaus and Vladislaus is the main symbol and spiritual centre of the Lithuanian capital as well as a monument to the Baptism of Lithuania. The basilica, built in the very heart of the city at the base of the castle hill, has witnessed many important historical events. Here Lithuanian rulers were crowned, here nobles and bishops were buried. Even today, Holy Mass – celebrated in Vilnius Cathedral – marks the high point of many national and religious feasts and commemorations. The sanctuary’s rich spiritual and cultural treasures are a magnet for all visitors of the city, but it is especially cherished by Catholics as the place where the relics of St Casimir, Lithuania’s patron saint, are venerated.

  The first Christian temple is thought to have arisen in this place under King Mindaugas (c.1200-1263), around the year 1251. After the death of Mindaugas, successive rulers fell away from Christianity. For over a century, the church served as a pagan place of worship. Vilnius Cathedral has burned down and has been rebuilt and renovated several times. Its current edifice was built at the end of the XVIII century at the bidding of Bishop Ignotas Masalskis and according to a design by Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius (1753–1798). The layout of the church is rectangular. In order to achieve symmetry, just opposite the Chapel of St Casimir, architect projected a sacristy of equal size, covered by an identical dome. The statues of St Casimir, St Stanislaus and St Helen that stand atop the Cathedral, at the corners of its front pediment, were originally placed there in the XIX century. They were knocked down during the Soviet era, but replaced in 1997, based on photographs and other visual records.

  The Soviet authorities closed Vilnius Cathedral in 1950 and turned it into at first a warehouse, and later on into a picture gallery and a concert hall. The Cathedral was given back to believers in 1988.

•  Lithuania’s most important sanctuary, a witness of the nation’s baptism.
• The Chapel of St Casimir contains the earthly remains of Lithuania’s patron saint.
• The Sapiega Madonna painting, renowned for graces, attracts many pilgrims.
• The vaults – the burial place of many rulers – contain Lithuania’s oldest fresco.
• Here, in year 1993, Pope John Paul II began his apostolic visit to Lithuania.
• After building Vilnius Cathedral in the terithory of the Lower Castle, one of the western towers (with a cathedral bell inside) was attached to it in the beginning of XV century.

Information for visitors:

Vilnius Cathedral Basilica
Katedros Sq. 1, LT-01100 Vilnius
Tel./Fax +370 5 261 0731
Tel. for excursions +370 5 261 1127
E-mail: katedra@katedra.lt
www.katedra.lt
 
The Cathedral is open 7:00-19:00 (visitors are not allowed during Holy Mass)

Holy Mass in the Cathedral Basilica:
Sundays 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:15, 12:30, 17:30, 18:30;
Weekdays 17:30.

In the Chapel of St Casimir - Weekdays 8:00, 18:30.