One of the most interesting and largest examples of Lithuanian sacral architecture in the 17th-18th centuries. Its architecture has a striking multi-layered harmony of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The ensemble consists of a side-by-side church, cemetery with the chapel of the stairs of Christ, the walls of a two-storey monastery and the farm buildings belonging to this ensemble.
One of the most interesting and largest examples of Lithuanian sacral architecture in the 17th-18th centuries. Its architecture has a striking multi-layered harmony of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The ensemble consists of a side-by-side church, cemetery with the chapel of the stairs of Christ, the walls of a two-storey monastery and the farm buildings belonging to this ensemble.
One of the most interesting and largest examples of Lithuanian sacral architecture in the 17th-18th centuries. Its architecture has a striking multi-layered harmony of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The ensemble consists of a side-by-side church, cemetery with the chapel of the stairs of Christ, the walls of a two-storey monastery and the farm buildings belonging to this ensemble.
One of the most interesting and largest examples of Lithuanian sacral architecture in the 17th-18th centuries. Its architecture has a striking multi-layered harmony of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The ensemble consists of a side-by-side church, cemetery with the chapel of the stairs of Christ, the walls of a two-storey monastery and the farm buildings belonging to this ensemble.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
At the XVII century Bernardine holdings eastern side, economic sectors started to develop: the south-east side, next to the monastery, has spacious two building- buildings, a larger two-story one and smaller single story one which is a barn. The monks of the monastery lived in the smaller building. The barn northwest corner remained with a clear view of initial fence brick fragment. On the north-east side - brick barns with hay roofs, stables, yard buildings, poultry houses, a brewery and a wooden sauna are located.
At the XVII century Bernardine holdings eastern side, economic sectors started to develop: the south-east side, next to the monastery, has spacious two building- buildings, a larger two-story one and smaller single story one which is a barn. The monks of the monastery lived in the smaller building. The barn northwest corner remained with a clear view of initial fence brick fragment. On the north-east side - brick barns with hay roofs, stables, yard buildings, poultry houses, a brewery and a wooden sauna are located.
One of the most interesting and largest examples of Lithuanian sacral architecture in the 17th-18th centuries. Its architecture has a striking multi-layered harmony of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The ensemble consists of a side-by-side church, cemetery with the chapel of the stairs of Christ, the walls of a two-storey monastery and the farm buildings belonging to this ensemble.
Historian Teodoras Narbutas mentions that already in the XIII century here stood the castle of Cidar, which was destroyed by the Crusaders. Written sources record the beginning of the town only in the XVI century, they mention the formed market square, which was surrounded by 26 pubs, 13 vodka shops, 33 houses with over 50 families. The frequent change of owners of Tytuvėnai did not promote the growth of the town. In the year 1609, Andrius Valavičius, the flag bearer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the judge of the Samogitian land, bought the manor, the town and the adjacent lands. In 1613 he summoned the Bernardine monks, and transferred two ponds, an area of land for them to own. In 1614 the construction of a church and a monastery began. The elder of Samogitia, the treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Jeronimas Valavičius, continued the work begun by his deceased brother in 1614. The church was consecrated on November 1, 1635 by Samogitian Bishop Jurgis Tiškevičius. Since then, the church with the monastery has become the main compositional and spiritual cultural center of the settlement, which has survived to this day.
Tytuvėnai The Church of the St. Virgin Mary, Queen of Angels, consecrated in 1635, has three naves, a basil volume, with an extremely long and large presbytery by the height and width of the central nave ending in a three-walled apse. Elements of the Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque styles are evident in the architecture of the church. Today on can see the main two-tower facade of the church with a porch, additionally built in 1735 and presented in the form of the late Baroque style. Through the doors of the church you enter the extremely ornate interior of the sanctuary. The presbytery space, the rear walls of the chapels, the walls along the arches and the pillar are filled with an ensemble of nine altars, a pulpit and a baptismal font of intricate Rococo forms.
Tytuvėnai The Church of the St. Virgin Mary, Queen of Angels, consecrated in 1635, has three naves, a basil volume, with an extremely long and large presbytery by the height and width of the central nave ending in a three-walled apse. Elements of the Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque styles are evident in the architecture of the church. Today on can see the main two-tower facade of the church with a porch, additionally built in 1735 and presented in the form of the late Baroque style. Through the doors of the church you enter the extremely ornate interior of the sanctuary. The presbytery space, the rear walls of the chapels, the walls along the arches and the pillar are filled with an ensemble of nine altars, a pulpit and a baptismal font of intricate Rococo forms.
The Chapel of the Stairs of Christ stands in the center of the churchyard, it is equipped with the Holy Stairs - the stairs of Pontius Pilate's Palace, a copy of those brought from Jerusalem to Rome by St. Helen. The chapel is small in volume, original in shape, has 30 steps. In them the worshipers, contemplating the suffering of Christ, climb up while being on knees. A parallel stairway march is for the worshipers to descend. The accent of the interior of the chapel is the altar of the Crucified Jesus Christ. The Chapel with the gallery of Stations of the cross is the only surviving ensemble of Stations of the Cross of Bernardine in Lithuania to this day.
Tytuvėnai The Church of the St. Virgin Mary, Queen of Angels, consecrated in 1635, has three naves, a basil volume, with an extremely long and large presbytery by the height and width of the central nave ending in a three-walled apse. Elements of the Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque styles are evident in the architecture of the church. Today on can see the main two-tower facade of the church with a porch, additionally built in 1735 and presented in the form of the late Baroque style. Through the doors of the church you enter the extremely ornate interior of the sanctuary. The presbytery space, the rear walls of the chapels, the walls along the arches and the pillar are filled with an ensemble of nine altars, a pulpit and a baptismal font of intricate Rococo forms.
In the XVIII century, an additional closed rectangular churchyard with arcade galleries, intended to install the way of the Cross, was additionally attached to the north-western side of the church's facade 39 stations of the Way of the Cross of Christ were painted and pasted in the arcades. The ensemble of the Stations of the way of Cross and the stairs of Christ, or the Saints, reflects the tradition of Bernardine devotion to the suffering of Christ and the new form of pilgrimage, the visiting and walking through Calvary, or New Jerusalem, common in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL). The Way of the Cross in Tytuvėnai was established after the trip of Bernardine Antanas Burnickis to the Holy Land. He returned from Jerusalem to the monastery in 1765 and transported some holy land, which was built-in under glass hoods near the images of the stations during the construction of the stations of the Way of the Cross.
In the XVIII century, an additional closed rectangular churchyard with arcade galleries, intended to install the way of the Cross, was additionally attached to the north-western side of the church's facade 39 stations of the Way of the Cross of Christ were painted and pasted in the arcades. The ensemble of the Stations of the way of Cross and the stairs of Christ, or the Saints, reflects the tradition of Bernardine devotion to the suffering of Christ and the new form of pilgrimage, the visiting and walking through Calvary, or New Jerusalem, common in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL). The Way of the Cross in Tytuvėnai was established after the trip of Bernardine Antanas Burnickis to the Holy Land. He returned from Jerusalem to the monastery in 1765 and transported some holy land, which was built-in under glass hoods near the images of the stations during the construction of the stations of the Way of the Cross.
Tytuvėnai The Church of the St. Virgin Mary, Queen of Angels, consecrated in 1635, has three naves, a basil volume, with an extremely long and large presbytery by the height and width of the central nave ending in a three-walled apse. Elements of the Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque styles are evident in the architecture of the church. Today on can see the main two-tower facade of the church with a porch, additionally built in 1735 and presented in the form of the late Baroque style. Through the doors of the church you enter the extremely ornate interior of the sanctuary. The presbytery space, the rear walls of the chapels, the walls along the arches and the pillar are filled with an ensemble of nine altars, a pulpit and a baptismal font of intricate Rococo forms.
The organ was built in 1789. It is one of the most valuable XVIII century instrument of 25 voices in Lithuania. It is believed to be the work of Vilnius organ master Nicolaus Jantzon. The organ is richly decorated with openwork wood carvings of plant and geometric motifs. In the place of a small central tower, in a window framed by curtains, there is a sculpture of King David playing a wooden harp. At the tops of the large towers are two statues of upright trumpeting angels raised on pedestals.
The chapel is located in front of the church, in a room behind the high altar. It is used since 2016, It preserves a relic of a blood drop of Pope John Paul II brought from Poland by the mayor of Miastko (Pomeranian Voivodeship). It is placed in a special capsule and confirmed by an authentication document signed by Cardinal Stanislaw Dzivish, Archbishop of Krakow. On 23 October 2016, Bishop Eugenijus Bartulis of Šiauliai consecrated the renovated and newly dedicated chapel, the altar, relics and the painting of John Paul II in the center of the chapel.
Behind the high altar, in the presbytery, is a two-story choir emplacement for monks. Such a spacious two-storey presbytery in Lithuania is a rare thing.
There are three cellars under the monastery house. The basement under the kitchen for food storage was connected to the boiler room, which was equipped with a hypocaust heating furnace, from which ducts led to the circulation of warm air in the cells and other rooms.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
The refectory is a dining room in the monastery. High, spacious, bright hall in the southwest corner of the monastery, with six large windows, a vault decorated with star-shaped nervures. There was not only food but also prayer, Scripture was read. The refector had a collection of books to read here.
Traditionally, the library of Tytuvėnai Monastery was on the second floor above the refectory. It is a warm room with six windows, most suitable for storing books. Books were bought, donated, given to the library, and brought by the arriving monks. An extensive collection of books of Bernardine literature was accumulated here. After the monastery was closed, the books were taken to Vilnius. The remains of the Library are stored at the Academy of Sciences, M. Mažvydas libraries.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
Traditionally, the library of Tytuvėnai Monastery was on the second floor above the refectory. It is a warm room with six windows, most suitable for storing books. Books were bought, donated, given to the library, and brought by the arriving monks. An extensive collection of books of Bernardine literature was accumulated here. After the monastery was closed, the books were taken to Vilnius. The remains of the Library are stored at the Academy of Sciences, M. Mažvydas libraries.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
Priest Ričardas Mikutavičius (1935-1998) - was priest, doctor of theology, poet and a collector. He served in the parish of Tytuvėnai for 13 years during the very period of “mature socialism” (the 1980s and 1990s). R. Mikutavičius established a literary stand in the church, where the poetry of Bernardas Brazdžionis, other emigrant poets, the philosophy of Antanas Maceina, and the experiments of the priest's own poetry were published. R. Mikutavičius attraction to collecting, art values also emerged in Tytuvėnai.
The former rest room of the Tytuvėnai church is exhibited in the former rest room of the monastery. Liturgical vestments - stole, cope, cap, alb, dalmatic - are intended to be worn by the priest during St. Mass. These garments, which mark the solemnity of worship, are consecrated and are not used for non-religious purposes.
A great example of late Renaissance architecture in Lithuania. It is a two-story, three building horseshoe-shaped house, which at the two ends joins the southern wall of the church and forms a small cloister - an enclosed rectangular courtyard. The old one-sided system of corridors has been preserved in the monastery; large bright corridor windows overlook the cozy cloister.
During the years of 1900-1948 Tytuvėnai Primary School operated in this building. In 1920-1945. teachers: Bronius Sarapas, Kazė Dovydaitytė, Julius Abromaitis, Kotryna Ruseckaitė, Kazys Kairaitis, Dorata Akmenskaitė and priests: Alfas Lapė, Antanas Jančiauskas, Pranas Bikinas, Aleksandras Ramanauskas, Klemensas Razminas, have worked at this school. In the second half of the XX century, the office of the executive committee was located here, later the dormitory of Tytuvėnai secondary school. Since 2013 In this building there is a branch of Kelmė district municipality Žemaitėы public library - Tytuvėnai library.
XX century I p. wooden architectural monument. Boryt Chveiden, a doctor from Tytuvėnai, lived in this house with his family, and he also treated the residents of the town here. During World War II, B. Chveidenas was shot along with other Jews living in Tytuvėnai at that time.
Bridvaišis mound dates back to the end of the 1st millennium. It is poured into the lands of the Samogitian tribes, on a hill on the northern shore of Lake Bridvaišis - a former island of the lake. Today, the southern slope of the mound is washed by a lake, and on the other side there are wet peat meadows. Legend has it that this mound dates back to the castle standing there in the 13th century.
Built in 1853, for Hieronimo Przeciszewski's wife, Celina, who died in his care. It is believed that the author of the chapel project is Fulgent Rimgaila, a professor at the Paris Academy of Arts. The governors of Tytuvėnai and Pagryžuvis manors and their relatives are buried in the basements: Rochas Prezeciszewskis, Aloiza Zienkowicz, Hieronimas Prezeciszewskis, Burba Kazimiera Przeciszewska, Josefas Romeris, Izydorius Romeris.
Built in 1853, for Hieronimo Przeciszewski's wife, Celina, who died in his care. It is believed that the author of the chapel project is Fulgent Rimgaila, a professor at the Paris Academy of Arts. The governors of Tytuvėnai and Pagryžuvis manors and their relatives are buried in the basements: Rochas Prezeciszewskis, Aloiza Zienkowicz, Hieronimas Prezeciszewskis, Burba Kazimiera Przeciszewska, Josefas Romeris, Izydorius Romeris.
Buried Soviet soldiers killed in World War II. The plaques and tombstones in the area of the burial place contain the names of 460 soldiers, and there is also a record that 25 unknown soldiers were buried in this place. Starting from 2004, the object was managed with the funds of the Russian Federation.
Rebels buried in 1863: a platoon led by Zigmantas Citavičius, an officer of the Raseiniai county military chief, has had 40 rebels who died in the battles in the forests of Tytuvėnai with Col. Božerianovas 4 infantry companies and Maj. Lovčinas 3 hussar squadrons. Commander Z. Citavičius himself was Also killed. Jonas Stanevičius, Povilas Bagdonavičius, joint military chiefs of Šiauliai county and Ignas Leskauskas and pastor Antanas Mackevičius' team of 50 rebels, who died on June 2, 1863 in the battle with the tsarist army regiments, commanded by Col. Narbutas near Tytuvėnai.
In the interwar period, about 20 Jewish families lived in Tytuvėnai. On 25 July 1941, during the execution organized by the Nazi German authorities, 40 Jewish men living in Tytuvėnai were killed and buried.
On 12 August 1941, during the execution organized by the Nazi German government, 140 Jews living in Tytuvėnai were killed and buried: men, women, children, grandparents.
On 13 August 1941 Calis Senzulis (b. 1924) was killed and buried during an execution organized by the Nazi German authorities and carried out by Tytuvėnai police.
On 27 July 1941, Borok Chveiden (b. 1906), a Jewish doctor, was killed and buried during an execution organized by the Nazi German authorities and carried out by Tytuvėnai police.
Partisans killed in 1945-1953 fighting for the freedom of Lithuania. On October 1989, the remains of the fallen partisans were transferred to these cemeteries. It is speculated that this may have been the partisans of the 2nd company of the Kęstutis district Amber team, who died in the battles with the Chekists and Eagles of the MGB Šiluva district subdivision on 13 October 1949, on 4 October 1949 Kęstutis district partisans fought and died losing to the soldiers of the 273rd Rifle Army of the MGB Internal Army, on 18 May 1952 the partisans of the Nemunas platoon of the Maironis homeland of the Povilas Lukšis team of the Resurrection district died, as well as others.
Tytuvėnai is a town distinguished by its nature, architecture and art monuments, which are important from the historical, aesthetic and scientific point of view. Tytuvėnai passed from one hand to another many times. The last owners of Tytuvėnai were a well-known Romeriai family, distinguished in the Lithuanian state army, social and cultural life. Representatives of the Valavičiai family, who lived several centuries earlier, are also important for the history of the town, thanks to which the most impressive architectural monument of the town, the ensemble of the Tytuvėnai church and monastery, was built. In order to preserve and nurture the personalities of those who lived in Tytuvėnai and created historical value and their legacy for future generations, an interactive tour of the heritage sites of Tytuvėnai was created.
The project aims to develop cultural tourism and preserve regional identity, increase the awareness of the local and district cultural heritage, introduce the public to real estate sites, especially those that are not usually accessible. The project is aimed at the younger generation, art representatives, people living in Lithuania and abroad, especially people with disabilities or other socially excluded people who do not have the opportunity to visit Tytuvėnai real-estate cultural heritage sites.
Project participants:
"State enterprise "Tytuvėnų piligrimų centras" (Tytuvėnai Pilgrim Center)
Acting Director of Tytuvėnai Pilgrim Center Sandra Sabaliauskienė
Guide-manager Rūta Krencienė
Event organizer Indrė Čerkauskienė
Tytuvėnai Ensemble of the Church of the St. Queen Mary of the Angels and the Bernardine Monastery
School building
House
Tytuvėnai mound, named as Bridvaišis mound
Tytuvėnai Chapel of Christ the Savior – mausoleum
Burial place of Soviet soldiers of World War II
1863 rebellion participants' graves
Place and grave of the massacre of Tytuvėnai Jews I
Place and grave of the massacre of Tytuvėnai Jews II
Calis Senzulis place of death and grave
The place of death and grave of Dr. Borok Chveiden
Lithuanian partisan tomb
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Rose garden of Tytuvėnai church and monastery ensemble In the year 2019, the Rose Garden was established on the site of the former monastery garden - in it, more than 2,000 different types of rose seedlings were planted. Flowers, on the basis of Christian iconography, planted in the forms of angels, hearts, sun, prayer necklace, letters ,shapes of alpha and omega. |
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Pond of Tytuvėnai monastery The legend of the choice of the location of the church proves that the pond existed before the construction of the ensemble of Tytuvėnai church and monastery. Since monks could not agree on the construction site, the dispute was settled by Vilnius master builder Thomas Kasparas, who said that the during the night he had a dream about a "flashing candle on the hill, which could not be put out even by fierce winds". |
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VšĮ „Tytuvėnų piligrimų centras“ When traveling on the road of pilgrims of John Paul II through Lithuania, it is impossible to bypass the baroque pearl - the ensemble of Tytuvėnai Church and Bernardine Monastery. In 2008, the Tytuvėnai Pilgrim Center was established there, where the Tourism Information Center operates, where educational programs, culture, art and tourism events are organized. The monastery is regularly visited by tourists, who receive professional guide services. Excursions are conducted in Lithuanian, Russian and English. Pilgrims loving a more active approach to leisure time can rent a bicycle to ride after Tytuvėnai surroundings. |
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Tytuvėnai Church of the Virgin Mary and Bernardine Monastery ensemble fence with gate The first Bernardine monks came to Tytuvėnai in 1614, but they were not in a hurry to build a mason complex. The monks at that time had to live in a temporary wooden monastery, or, most likely, in Valavičiai Tytuvėnai manor. In January 1619, after the conclusion of a contract with the mason Tomas Kaspars, the construction of a church and a monastery complex, and stone outbuildings started. A high masonry fence fenced off a fruit tree orchad from the north, south, and east sides. In 1801-1804 the household gates of the monastery were built. |
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Tytuvėnai Church of the Virgin Mary and Bernardine Monastery ensemble novitiate and school remains the ruins of the monastery novitiate Tytuvėnai Church of the Virgin Mary and Bernardine Monastery ensemble novitiate and school remains the ruins of the monastery novitiate - an institution for the ones getting ready to become monks, founded in 1736. However, according to historian M. Paknis, the premises of the Bernardine novitiate, where young people lived and studied in order to become monks, were built later - in 1764-1770 and a brick novitiate building was attached to the northwest corner of the monastery. In total, the novitiate had several larger multi-room cells for the magister, instructor, and a dining room, as well as 16 cells for novices. In 1828 the novitiate was closed, its building remained abandoned, and in the end of the 19th century these buildings were demolished. |
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Sofija Romerienė Sofija Romerienė - painter, carver, painter. She studied art at the Vilnius School of Drawing and privately with the painter Elena Romerytė. During the period of 1900-1905, she studied in Krakow, Munich, Paris. In 1911, she married to a landowner, economist and public figure Eugenijus Romeris, and settled in Tytuvėnai manor. At the beginning of the first World War, in the year 1915, he left for Aninsk (Vitebsk province) with his family and returned to Tytuvėnai in 1919, he then set up a weaving workshop in the manor. In independent Lithuania, he was actively involved in artistic life and participated in exhibitions. |
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Monument to Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis Maironis (real name Jonas Mačiulis) was born on 21 October 1862. In Šiluva parish, Raseiniai district. Priest, professor, Lithuanian romantic poet, who wrote such landmark Lithuanian famous works as "Trakų pilis", "Lietuva Brangi" and others. Maironis loved the beautiful surroundings of Tytuvėnai and often visited the pastor Antanas Jančiauskas, friends Sofia and Eugenijus Riomeriai at Tytuvėnėliai manor near Tytuvėnai. He also visited here before his death. Painter Sofija Riomerienė has painted a portrait of the poet in 1925, and Maironis wrote a poem for her on that occasion. In the center of Tytuvėnai - a street is named after Maironis. Next to it, in the city’s central square, next to the church and Bernardine monastery ensemble - a monument to the famous poet, prelate dr. Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis is located. |
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Wall painting and haut-relief cycle "Way of the Cross" One of the most important components of the Tytuvėnai sacral ensemble is the Way of the Cross, which consists of 39 stations and was installed in 1771-1780. The largest of the Lithuanian Cross Roads in terms of the number of stations today is the Suffering Road complex. Fourteen areas are molded from plaster, and 25 frescoes are created using the technique with dry plaster. The fact that the Way of the Cross in Tytuvėnai expressed the idea of the New Jerusalem is evidenced by the freely artist-painted brown-colored urban landscape of Jerusalem painted above the arch of the entrance to the cloister, consisting of a non-perspective schematic set of painted Holy City dwellings. |
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The Holy Stairs In 1775, the construction of the Holy Stairs started in the very center of the Tytuvėnai churchyard, otherwise known as the stairs of Christ, the chapel. The main founder of the building was Jurgis Goiževskis. The holy stairs for the religious practice of worshipers were built from stone brought in from Sweden and was visited by pilgrims for the first time on 28 May 1778, during the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. It is stated in one place that relics of saints are laid in the stairs of Christ in Tytuvėnai (LVIA, f.1135, ap.6, b.59, 1.143), elsewhere - that it is the holy land from Palestine (Wolonczewskis M., Žemajtiu wiskupiste, D.2, Wilniuj, 1848, p. 103). |
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Tombstone of Samogitian elder Andrius Valavičius There is a tombstone in Andrius Valavičius in Tytuvėnai Church. The tombstone, built in the third decade of the XVII century, is decorated with a sculptural image of a nobleman carved out of sandstone and statues of the holy patrons of his wife, Catherine Goslavska. |
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Picture of the most holy God mother with Baby The famously gracious Grand Altar picture of St. Virgin Mary with the Baby, painted by an unknown Lithuanian artist in the third decade of the XVII century is decorated with professional workwear decorated with expressive and stylish ornaments of plant motifs. This painting was presented to the Bernardines of Tytuvėnai by the founder's brother, Bishop of Vilnius Eustachijus Valavičius. It is believed that the painting was installed to the high altar in 1620–1629. It is probable that it was painted in the Bernardine environment of Vilnius. The picture was restored in 2003-2006 at the Pranas Gudynas Restoration Center of the Lithuanian Art Museum (restorer - Algis Vaineikis). |
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The sacristy door of Tytuvėnai church The interior decoration of the church is meaningfully complemented by the sacristy doors. Of the five doors of the ensemble decorated with 18th century paintings, only one has survived. As can be seen from the chronicle of the monastery, the paintings in the planes of the wooden doors were a thread of one thought related to the wall paintings of the church and the monastery. |
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Painting of the walls of the first floor of the Tytuvėnai Bernardine monastery The wall painting of the first floor of the Tytuvėnai Bernardine monastery was discovered In the seventh decade of the XX century. The decoration of the monastery reflects the most characteristic aspects of the spirituality and artistic principles of this order. In order to continue the traditions of St. Franciscan piety, the Bernardines especially encouraged the contemplation of Christ's Passion, the cult of the Crucifixion and the Eucharist, and following the example of St. Bernardine of Siena, he diligently spread devotion to the name of Jesus. |
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The founders of Tytuvėnai church and monastery ensemble On the 1st of May 1614, A. Valavičius wrote the act of foundation of Tytuvėnai Bernardine monastery - he allocated 10,000 gold coins for construction. Unfortunately, the founder did not have time to implement the idea, because he died of gout complication. Buried in Tytuvėnai. When the founder died, the construction obligations were taken over by his three brothers, but on the 1st of January 1618, after Eustachius and Paul renounced their rights to Tytuvėnai, all fundamental obligations fell to the Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Jeronimas Valavičius. |
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Registration book of those who entered the Tytuvėnai Bernardine Monastery (XVII century) |
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Liturgical supplies In June of 2011, after restoration, the Tytuvėnai former Bernardine monastery opened its doors to visitors, and part of the premises has been given to the Siauliai Diocese Church Heritage Museum. The aim of the museum was to spread and nurture the Christian and cultural values of Western Europe. The core of the first exhibition consisted of liturgical supplies collected and preserved in the diocesan churches. The exhibition revealed the artistry and aesthetic beauty of liturgical accessories, their functions and purpose. |
