Vilnius Cathedral
Vilnius’s beautiful cathedral is the most important place for worship for Lithuania’s Catholic community and has been a national symbol for centuries. The building itself was completed in the 18th century, but some original portions of the church date from the 13th and 15th centuries. In 1922, the church was named a basilica by Pope Pius XI. It is centrally located on Cathedral Square, next to the bell tower, which was originally a watch tower, and the recently reconstructed Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. In its catacombs, several key figures of Lithuanian history are buried, including Saint Casimir, Alexander Jagiellon, and the heart of the Polish king Władysław IV Vasa.
