This shrine is a symbol of Lithuanian baptism. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus is built in the very centre of the city on the site of a former pagan temple and next to Vilnius’ defensive castle. Lithuania’s patron saint St. Casimir rests in the Cathedral Basilica. Jurgis Matulaitis served as the basilica’s bishop from 1918 to 1925. On 4 September 1993, the Holy Father John Paul II began his historic apostolic journey through Lithuania at the Vilnius Cathedral. Vilnius Cathedral was rebuilt several times as a result of frequent fires, wars and unstable soil under its foundation. Due to the building’s importance, many prominent foreign and local architects and artists led the reconstruction projects. The building currently reflects the Classicist style (architect Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius), but its walls have traces of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

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