Vilnius. 12 cities (2020) by Tytus BrzozowskiPOLONIKA The National Institute of Polish Cultural Heritage Abroad
The Beginning
Some historians explain Sigismund III Vasa’s decision to move the royal seat from Kraków to Warsaw by… its distance to Vilnius. Indeed, that is where the king’s residence was, it was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and also the place where the diets met.
But for the king, travelling to Vilnius was difficult. It was easier to rule over that part of the Commonwealth of Two Nations from Warsaw.
1. Napoleon's desire
Legend has it that Napoleon was so impressed by the delicate beauty of Vilnius’ Gothic Church of St. Anne that he longed to take the church back to Paris.
2. The Church of St. Anne
Another legend claims that the builder who constructed the walls of the church was so jealous of the work of his son-in-law, who had built its elaborate façade, that he killed him by pushing him off the scaffolding. The Church of St. Anne is one of the oldest churches in Vilnius, and is still considered one of the most beautiful. Its construction was funded by King Casimir Jagiellon, and its architect was brought especially from Gdańsk.
3. The story of the two churches
The Church of St Johns – St. John the Baptist and John the Apostle and Evangelist, which is part of the University of Vilnius, has a shorter history. The finesse of its 18th-century rococo architecture is still enchanting today. The first church on this site was commissioned by King Władysław Jagiełło. The church has always been part of the university, serving as a place for academic debate for professors and students.
4.Perkūnas
The royal church in Vilnius is the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus. The first church in this location was in the grounds of the Lower Castle and was dedicated to the Baltic ruler of lightning and the heavens – Perkūnas. After the Grand Duke of Lit Baltic ruler of lightning and the heavens – Perkūnas. After the Grand Duke of Lithuania Jagiełło took the Polish throne and was baptised, he founded a stone church on this site.
5. The tomb of the royalty
Vytautus, Grand Duke of Lithuania, and his wife Anna were buried here, as were, later on, King Aleksander Jagiellon and Elisabeth Hapsburg, the first wife of King Sigismund Augustus. The underground royal crypt contains the tomb of Barbara Radziwiłł, his second wife, who came from a Lithuanian magnate family and was born in Vilnius.
6. Prison cells
The churches of Vilnius are linked to Polish patriotic activity of the 19th century. Tsarist authorities established a prison inside the buildings of the Basilian Monastery. After the failure of the November Uprising, members of student's patriotic societies Philomath and Filaret prisoners were held there, as was Adam Mickiewicz after his arrest on 23 October 1823. Konrad’s cell in Forefathers’ Eve was essentially in Vilnius.
7. The Gate of Dawn
Travellers and pilgrims to the city are protected by Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn. This painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary (painted on oak boards by an unknown artist) is highly venerated to this day. As a result, the Gate of Dawn where it is kept is a destination for many pilgrims and is also the symbol of the city. In 1927, Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn was crowned Queen of Poland. In 1931-32, the chapel interior was fitted with oak panels designed by Helena Szramotówna, on which the painter and teacher Ferdynand Ruszczyc arranged a composition of votive offerings.
Text: Anna Ekielska
Translation: Zosia Krasodomska-Jones
Paintings: Tytus Brzozowski
© National Institute of Polish Cultural Heritage Abroad POLONIKA
Supervisory Institution: Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport of Republic of Poland
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