Pažaislis Monastery

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Church and Monastery of Pažaislis, Kaunas

Dome and frescos inside the church

Pažaislis monastery and church (Lithuanian: Pažaislio vienuolynas, Polish: klasztor w Pożajściu) form the largest monastery complex in Lithuania, and one of the most magnificent examples of Italian baroque architecture in Eastern Europe. It is situated near Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania, on a peninsula in Kaunas Lagoon (Lithuanian: Kauno marios) near Kaunas Yacht Club.

1 History
2 Music festival
3 See also
4 Image gallery
5 External links

[edit] History

Founded in 1662 by the Great Chancellor Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac for Order of the Camaldolese Hermits, the main construction has been built until 1674 and further finished until 1712. The church was designed by Pietro Puttini, were directed by Carlo and Pietro Puttini, Giovanni Battista Frediani. The building of the towers and the dome after 1755 was funded by king's chambelain Michał Jan Pac.

Commemorative 50 litas silver coin released in 2004 featuring Pažaislis monastery

In 1832 the church was closed by Russians and later converted into an Orthodox church. After 1920 the ruined church returned to Roman Catholics and was restored by sisters of the Lithuanian convent of St. Casimir. After World War II, the Soviet authorities converted the church and monastery into an archive, a psychiatric hospital and finally an art gallery (in 1966). In 1990s the complex was returned to the nuns of the convent and reconstruction works started since.

[edit] Music festival

Today the monastery is home to the annual international Pažaislis Music Festival. It was started in 1996 and now lasts for three summer months and offers about 30 different concerts. The festival was visited by Lord Yehudi Menuhin twice. It features classical music of diverse genres and styles, ranging from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to ABBA classics. To some concerts admission is free, to most it's very affordable (6-10 litas or 2-3 United States dollars). Actual concerts take place in many different venues across Lithuania (like Kaunas castle, Klaipėda University, or even Pociūnai Airport).