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Pažaislis Monastery

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Pažaislis Monastery – an exceptional Baroque architectural gem located on the shore of the Kaunas Reservoir. Built in the 17th century for the Camaldolese monks by Kristupas Žygimantas Pacas, with construction led by Italian masters, the monastery is renowned for its stunning frescoes, unique architecture, and the painting of the Madonna of Beautiful Love. Since 1992, the monastery has been cared for by the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Casimir. It hosts the international Pažaislis Music Festival, features a museum, and the "Monte Pacis" hospitality complex. Visiting hours are limited – Mondays are reserved for silence, and the time for the silent week is announced on the website.

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Religious Heritage
Kaunas

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54.875994, 24.022607

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Pažaislis Monastery is an impressive Baroque masterpiece located on the outskirts of Kaunas, near the Kaunas Reservoir. This sacred ensemble is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque architectural monuments in Northern and Eastern Europe. Built in the 17th century for the Camaldolese monks by the Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Kristupas Žygimantas Pacas, the monastery was designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Battista Frediani, while the interior was decorated by Lombard sculptors and the renowned Florentine painter Michele Arcangelo Paloni, who created the stunning frescoes. The architecture of the monastery is distinguished by a unique solution, with a concave church façade and a rare hexagonal plan. Around 140 frescoes remain in the building,

and the church houses the iconic painting of the Madonna of Beautiful Love, a gift from Pope Alexander VII to the founder of Pažaislis. In 1992, the monastery was returned to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Casimir, who continue to nurture spirituality and cultural heritage there. Since 1996, the monastery has hosted the international Pažaislis Music Festival, attracting art lovers from all over the world. In 2011, a sacred museum was opened, and educational programs are offered. Adjacent to the monastery is the "Monte Pacis" hospitality complex, inviting visitors to indulge in exceptional cuisine. As Pažaislis Monastery remains an active religious community, visiting hours are regulated — visitors are not admitted on Mondays and during silent week periods.

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