4352 - Vilnius, Lithuania

This card from Vilnius shows some of the various churches found in the capital city.

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  Church of St. Johns (Šv. Jonų Bažnyčia) is located at the Old Town of Vilnius and dominates the Vilnius University ensemble. The Jesuits were the first professors and they and their students used to pray at the church. Theologians would give sermons here and it was a place for performances and disputes, where theses were defended and kings greeted! It was built between 1388-1426; reconstructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. During Soviet times the church was closed down and severely damaged. During Nazi Germany's occupation, the church's reverend, Alfonsas Liniūnas, delivered rebellious sermons in the church. He was imprisoned at Stutthof camp and died. 
• Sts. Peter and Paul Church
  
• Vilnius Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus of Vilnius (ilniaus Šv. Stanislovo ir Šv. Vladislovo arkikatedra bazilika) This is the main Catholic cathedral in Lithuania and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1994). It was consecrated in 1783. In Soviet times it was converted into a warehouse. Masses started up again in 1988, and its status as a cathedral was restored in 1989. 
• Church of St. Anne (Šv. Onos bažnyčia) was consecrated in 1500 and named for Anna, Grand Duchess of Lithuania. The first church on the site was built of wood and was destroyed by fire in 1419. The current church is built of brick. The exterior of the church has remained unchanged since 1500. During Soviet times, the church remained open and was even renovated between 1960-1970 when the towers were in bad shape. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1994).
• Church of St. Francis and St. Bernardino (v. Pranciškaus ir Šv. Bernardino bažnyčia) was consecrated in 1516 and is located next to St. Anne's Church (see above). There are many valuable 16th century wall paintings and the oldest known artistic Lithuanian crucifix sculpture. 
• Church of St. Catherine (Šv. Kotrynos bažnyčia) was founded by the Hetman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Voivode of Vilnius Jan Karol Chodkiewicz. It was consecreated in 1703. It was severely damaged by fire in 1737 and the church had to be rebuilt. It was damaged twice during in 1812 during the French invastion of Russia and during World War Ii. Many valuable works of art were lost as a result. A warehouse was set up in the church by the Soviets after World War II and the nuns were deported. They transferred the church to the Vilnius Art Museum. Since Lithuanian independence from the Soviet Union, it was under restoration and adapted for cultural activities. In 2002 is was returned to the Curia of the Vilnius Archdiocese. 
• The Dominican Church of the Holy Spirit (Dominikonų St. 8) was built and rebuilt a few times. Around 1408 Vytautas build the gothic church of the Holy Spirit, In 1501, King Alexander Jagiellon gave it to hte Dominican Monastery. It was all destroyed by fire in 1610, rebuilt, and burned down again in 1655. It was rebuilt, expanded. The interior decor was created in the mid 1700. During Soviet times it became the main church of the Vilnius Polish Community
• Church of St. Theresa (Šv. Teresės bažnyčia) was complted in 1650 and dedicated to Teresa of Ávila.