Ramygalos St. John the Baptist Church is an impressive Neo-Gothic sanctuary with a history dating back to the late 15th century. The first church was built on the site of a former pagan temple, but a fire in the 18th century destroyed it. In 1781, Count Mykolas Tiškevičius oversaw the construction of a new wooden church, but the current brick structure was only completed in the early 20th century.
In 1897, under the leadership of priest Julius Norgėla and based on the design of architect Karl Eduard Strandman, construction of the present church began. Built from red brick in the Neo-Gothic style, the church features a towering 70-meter-high bell tower. Completed in 1907 through the donations of local parishioners, it was consecrated by Bishop Pranciškus Karevičius in 1914.
The
church stands out with its striking architecture, including a cruciform plan (48x24 m), masonry vaults, and stained glass windows, some of which were destroyed during World War II. Inside, three oak altars are decorated with Gothic ornaments. The central altar features a relief of St. John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, flanked by sculptures of St. Casimir and St. Stanislaus. Other altars are dedicated to the Crucifixion and the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn.
The churchyard's stone fence has been preserved since the original construction, and the building itself remains a significant religious and cultural landmark. Ramygala’s church is not only a place of worship but also an architectural monument that attracts history and sacred art enthusiasts.