St. Anne's Church
Šv. Onos bažnyčia
A small red-brick church in the Flamboyant Gothic style, whose delicate façade is made from 33 different shapes of brick. Legend says Napoleon once wanted to carry it back to Paris in his hands.
St. Anne's Church was built around 1495–1500. It is the finest example of Lithuanian Flamboyant (late) Gothic architecture and one of Vilnius's best-known churches. Its façade isn't large, but 33 differently shaped red bricks create layers of pointed arches, vertical lines and three slender spires, giving it a light, rhythmic quality. It has remained almost unchanged for more than 500 years. Legend says that in 1812, when Napoleon marched through Vilnius, he admired the church so much that he wished he could carry it back to Paris in his hands. The interior is fairly plain, with later Baroque decoration. Next door is the larger Bernardine Monastery Church (Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard). Together with a 19th-century neo-Gothic bell tower, the two form a harmonious architectural group, and a small square in front holds a statue of the poet Adam Mickiewicz. Entry is free, except during mass. It's a 5-minute walk east from Cathedral Square. Continue east across the Vilnia River to reach Užupis, the self-declared 'Republic' on the other bank, and you can link the two sights on one route.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00 (may be closed to visitors Mondays and during Mass; check on site)
Nearby sights
- Bernardine Garden
- Pilies Street & Literatų Street
- Užupis
- Gediminas' Tower
- Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
- Hill of Three Crosses
- National Museum of Lithuania (New Arsenal)
- Vilnius Cathedral & Cathedral Square