Pilies Street in Vilnius Old Town once led from the gates of the Lower Castle to the Town Hall. It’s now divided into two parts, becoming Didzioji Street from the Orthodox Church of St. Paraskeva. Its continuation from the junction at Subaciaus Street to Ausros Gate is Ausros Vartu Street.
Pilies Street is without doubt the most visited street by tourists in Vilnius. There are souvenir stalls and plenty of restaurants.
The street is one of the oldest in the city. Several picturesque streets with old buildings branch of to the right and left, and the street itself borders on the university campus. Of interest at the head of the street are several buildings with Renaissance features.
Some Vilnius Old Town houses acquired an Art Nouveau look after renovation in the beginning of the 20th century. The most prominent example of this is Feliks Zawadski’s house on Pilies Street. A 3rd floor was commissioned according to a design by Wladyslaw Stypulkowski. Metal galleries in the courtyard replaced the wooden ones.
The new asymmetrical facade designed by the architect features an oriel window and a turret over the entrance. It fits in with its surroundings with proportions that suit the Old Town.
In 1904, another architect (Mikhail Prozorov) had drawn up a plan to cover the courtyard of the building. A metal construction was to support a glass roof. This project was never realized.
The museum of the publishers Marija and Jurgis Slapelis is on Pilies gatve number 40. The collection includes books, newspapers, documents, and miscellaneous items which belonged to the family.
Objects, of the cultural and scientific heritage of Eastern Lithuania from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries are being accumulated.
Around the corner, Latako Street descends towards the Vilnia River. Boksto Street meanders ahead towards the left, and Isganytojo Street turns down from it a bit further along.
Latako and Isganytojo both lead towards the St. Anne and St. Bernadine church complex, and to the funky district of Uzupis.
The House of the Signatories (Lithuanian: Signatarų namai), previously known as Sztral’s House, is a historic landmark in Vilnius, Lithuania. On February 16, 1918, twenty members of the Council of Lithuania signed the Act of Independence of Lithuania within its walls. Here are some interesting details about it:
History
The building was first mentioned in writing in 1645. Over the years, it changed owners and underwent reconstruction. In the late 19th century, Kazimierz Sztral renovated it in a Neo-Renaissance style. The second floor features decorative sculptures symbolizing agriculture and fishing. The third floor acquired two male busts. Sztral’s café, known as “White Sztral,” operated there until 1939.
The café was frequented by local high society and immortalized in Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński’s Vilnian Elegies. After Lithuania regained independence in 1990, the house became a museum and opened to the public in 2000.
Current Use
Today, the House of the Signatories serves as a museum, housing materials related to the National Movement and the signatories themselves. Annual commemoration ceremonies for Lithuania’s independence take place here on February 16.
If you’re ever in Vilnius, consider visiting this significant historical site!
The St. Paraskeva Church, also known as Vilniaus Šv. kankinės Paraskevės cerkvė in Lithuanian or Пятницкая церковь in Russian holds the distinction of being the oldest Eastern Orthodox church in Lithuania. Located in the capital city of Vilnius, this historic church is an architectural gem with a rich and intriguing past.
Origins and Construction
The origins of St. Paraskeva Church trace back to the 14th century. It was initially constructed at the request of Grand Duke Algirdas’ first wife, Maria Yaroslavna of Vitebsk, who was later buried there in 1346. According to tradition, the church was built on the site of a former pagan temple dedicated to the god Ragutis.
A History of Destruction and Rebuilding
Over the centuries, the church faced numerous challenges. It was destroyed by fire in 1557, only to be rebuilt three years later. Unfortunately, it suffered another devastating fire in 1611. Despite these setbacks, the church persevered.
During the Great Northern War, in 1705, the church played a significant role. Vilnius was invaded and pillaged by the Muscovite army, and during this tumultuous time, Russian Tsar Peter the Great visited the church. He prayed there for military victory, and it was during the same service that Abram Petrovich Gannibal, the great-grandfather of the famous poet Alexander Pushkin, was baptized, with the tsar serving as his godfather.
In 1748, the church faced yet another fire, but it was rebuilt once more in 1795. However, it remained closed for the next four decades, gradually falling into decline.
Neo-Byzantine Revival
In 1864, the Russian local government ordered the church’s reconstruction and enlargement in the Neo-Byzantine style. Architect Nikolay Chagin led this ambitious project, resulting in the church’s distinctive appearance that we see today.
Turbulent Times and Restoration
The church endured significant challenges during World War II. Although it was renovated afterward, the Stalinist government did not permit the Russian Orthodox Church to hold services there. Initially, plans were made to open a Museum of Atheism, but eventually, the church was repurposed as a gallery of Lithuanian folk art.
Thankfully, in 1990, the church was returned to the Orthodox Church, and it was reconsecrated by Metropolitan Chrysostom the following year. Since then, it has served as an auxiliary church of the Cathedral of the Theotokos.
The St. Paraskeva Orthodox Church stands as a testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring cultural heritage of Vilnius. Its pink-colored façade and Neo-Byzantine features continue to captivate visitors, offering a glimpse into Lithuania’s rich history and spiritual legacy.
For those exploring Vilnius, a visit to this venerable church is a must. It stands proudly on the main street, surrounded by other churches and cathedrals, inviting all to appreciate its beauty and significance.
| Address | Didzioji 2/Pilies g Vilnius |
