Page 243 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

VILNIUS  241

15 lavishly decorated Rococo
altars. The altars, which are
embellished with colourful
paintings, also feature gilded
frames and faux marble
Corinthian columns – all
hallmarks of the late Baroque
style. The fresco-lined vesti bule,
which forms a passage into the
nave from the street, gives the
church a cavern-like quality,
emphasized by the dark,
candlelit interior.
During Napoleon’s chaotic
retreat in 1812, the friary next to
the church was converted into a
hospital and the crypt was used
as a morgue. Today, the crypt is
still full of stacks of mummi fied
corpses from this period, which Movie cameras on display at the Theatre, Music and Film Museum
have been preserved by the dry
air. The crypt is, however, off- Lithuania’s much-celebrated Ministry of Culture. The
limits to visitors. Baroque architect, Jan Krzysztof museum’s expansive collection
Glaubitz (see p237). is a tribute to the Lithuanians’
The church suffered some love of theatre and classical
damage during World War II music. The exhibits include
and was reopened in 2006 after theatre memo rabilia ranging
lengthy renovation. It is now from old costumes and
regularly used as a popular puppets to stage-set pieces,
venue for classical music mostly from the 19th and
concerts and perfor mances. In early 20th cen turies. The
the garden facing the church, superb collection of folk instru-
there is a bust monument of the ments features a number of
well-known Polish composer kanklės (decorated Lithuanian
Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819–72), stringed instru ments related
who wrote his first operas while to the zither).
working as an organist in Vilnius. The space given to cinema is
The area to the east of the limited and not as informa tive,
church is where a large convent although there are some
for Benedictine nuns stood from displays on cinematography.
Façade of the Church of St Catherine, with 1622 until the Soviet period.
strawberry-and-cream towers The church’s interior is highly m Radvila Palace
b Church of decorated but not fully repaired, Radvilų rūmai
giving it an air of authenticity.
St Catherine Vilniaus 24. Map 1 C3. Tel 262 0981.
Šv Kotrynos bažnyčia n Theatre, Music Open 11am–6pm Tue–Sat, noon–
Vilniaus gatvė 30. Map 2 D3. and Film Museum 5pm Sun. & ∑ ldm.lt
Lietuvos teatro, muzikos, kino The early 17th-century palace,
Originally a small wooden muziejus once grand in size, was reduced
structure, the Church of Vilniaus 41. Map 1 C4. Tel 231 to just one wing by the end of
St Catherine formed part of a 2724. Open 11am–6pm Tue– the Northern War (1700–
Benedictine monastery in the Fri, 11am–4pm Sat. & 21). Now an art gallery,
early 17th century. The church ∑ ltmkm.lt it hosts a permanent
was rebuilt in stone in 1703, display, including 165
almost 50 years after the Housed inside a portraits of members
Russians burned it down. The 17th-century of the Radvila family.
structure, as it appears today, mansion once owned Temporary exhibitions
was built and consi derably by the powerful feature little-known,
expanded between 1741 and Radvila family, who but often surpri singly
1773. Its sophis ticated design, ruled Lithuania in the impressive, paintings
highlighted by the delightful 16th century, this by Lithuanian artists
strawberry-and-cream twin absorbing museum Phonograph, Theatre, from the 19th and
towers, is attributed to was founded by the Music and Film Museum early 20th centuries.

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