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Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Vilnius

18th-century Eastern Orthodox church buildings18th-century churches in LithuaniaChurch buildings with domesChurches in VilniusEastern Orthodox churches in Lithuania
Wilno cerkiew Sw. Ducha 4
Wilno cerkiew Sw. Ducha 4

The Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit (Russian: Церковь Святого Духа; Lithuanian: Vilniaus Šv. Dvasios vienuolyno katedra) is a Russian Orthodox church in the Vilnius Old Town, capital of Lithuania, rebuilt 1749–1753 in the Vilnian Baroque style. The monastery serves as the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania. It should not be confused with the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Vilnius (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Vilnius
Aušros Vartų g., Vilnius Old Town

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N 54.675555555556 ° E 25.290833333333 °
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Vilniaus Šv. Dvasios cerkvė (Vilniaus Šv. Dvasios vienolyno katedra)

Aušros Vartų g. 10A
01303 Vilnius, Old Town
Vilnius County, Lithuania
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Wilno cerkiew Sw. Ducha 4
Wilno cerkiew Sw. Ducha 4
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Wall of Vilnius
Wall of Vilnius

The Vilnius city wall (Lithuanian: Vilniaus miesto gynybinė siena) was a defensive wall around Vilnius, capital city of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was built between 1503 and 1522 for protection from the attacks by the Crimean Khanate at the beginning of the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars. The stone and brick wall was a key element of the defensive system of Vilnius, and was paid for by the city's landowners. It contained nine gates and an artillery bastion. Some of the original constructions have survived. Wet Gate stood near Cathedral Square in Vilnius. Called also Mary Magdalene Gate. Tatar Gate stood at the corner of Liejykla and Totoriai street. Vilija (Vilnius) Gate stood at the corner of Vilnius and Bernardinai street. Trakai Gate was built at the corner of Trakai and Pylimas streets. It was the main gate of the city and contained (as did the Gate of Dawn) a chapel. Rūdininkai Gate stood at the end of the Rūdininkai street. Sharp Gate (Polish: Ostra brama) guarded the entrance to the southern part of the city. It is now known as the Gate of Dawn. The sometimes mentioned name "Medininkai Gate" is not directly attested in the sources. Subačius Gate was built at the end of what is now Holly Spirit street. Saviour's Gate (Polish: Spaska brama) was built near the Vilnia River in the eastern side of city. Bernardines Gate Castle GateAn artillery bastion was built to protect the eastern side of the city. It is currently a museum of militaria from Vilnius and is under renovation. Following the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian government ordered to tear down most of the wall and all the gates, except the Gate of Dawn. Some parts of the wall are still visible throughout the Old Town of Vilnius or are going to be restored and displayed.

Church of St. Casimir, Vilnius
Church of St. Casimir, Vilnius

The Church of St. Casimir (Lithuanian: Šv. Kazimiero bažnyčia, Polish: Kościół Św. Kazimierza) is a Roman Catholic church in Vilnius' Old Town, close to the Vilnius' Town Hall. It is the first and the oldest baroque church in Vilnius, built in 1618. The construction of the church began in 1604 in memory of the holy prince Saint Casimir. It was built by the Jesuits with funding by the Great Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Lew Sapieha, Voivode of Vilnius Mikołaj Krzysztof "the Orphan" Radziwiłł, and other nobles. It is traditionally assumed that the corner stone (which can be seen on the façade wall) was pulled into the city by procession of 700 Vilniusites from the Antakalnis hills. The construction was finished in 1616, and the interior design completed in 1618. The Church of St. Casimir is one of the earliest exemplary Baroque buildings in the city. Its spatial composition and facade were designed along the line of the famous Il Gesù church in Rome. The shape of the building was modeled after the churches in Kraków and Lublin, with additional towers. The author of the design was Jan Frankiewicz, a pupil of architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni. In the middle of the 18th century the church was reconstructed by architect Thomas Zebrowski. Under his supervision a stepped lantern cupola with a crown was erected. This large and impressive cupola is unique in the entire region of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Under Russia's occupation the church of St. Casimir was converted into a Russian Orthodox church. In 1915 Vilnius was occupied by the Germans and the church was converted into the Evangelical Lutheran prayer house of the Vilnius Garrison. In 1919 the church of St. Casimir was returned to the Catholics, but was damaged again during the Second World War, closed down and in 1963 converted into a Museum of Atheism. The church was reconsecrated in 1991. The church is known for excellent acoustics and organ concerts with renowned international musicians.