Kaunas Cathedral Basilica

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Tower of Cathedral Basilica
Tower of Cathedral Basilica

Kaunas Cathedral Basilica (Lithuanian: Kauno Šv. apaštalų Petro ir Povilo arkikatedra bazilika) is a Roman Catholic cathedral basilica in Kaunas, Lithuania.

The exact date when the first Gothic style church was built is unknown, but it was first mentioned in writing sources in 1413. The construction works were concluded only in 1624. The church greatly suffered from wars in 1655 and was rebuilt in 1671 and gained some Renaissance features. Only one of the towers was rebuilt after the fire of the roof in 1732. The internal decorations were funded by the King Stanisław August Poniatowski in 1771. The present day shape of the building is from 1800 renovation. The church was promoted to cathedral status in 1895 and in 1921 it received the Basilica title. The cathedral, being 84 m long and 34 m wide is the largest Gothic church in Lithuania.

Kaunas Cathedral Basilica
Kaunas Cathedral Basilica

The main altar was made by Tomasz Podhajski in 1775. Samogitian bishop Motiejus Valančius is buried in the underground vault of the cathedral. There is also a Neogothic mausoleum of Maironis near the wall of the chapel. A museum of atheism was organised in the church by Soviet authorities and the cathedral was reopened in 1990.

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Coordinates: 54.897° N 23.889° E