Vilnius Cathedral, Vilnius (must see)

The Vilnius Cathedral is Lithuania's Catholic spiritual home. The cathedral was originally built in 1251 when King Mindaugas converted to Christianity. Before that, the site may have hosted a Baltic pagan worship site. Remains of this structure have been unearthed beneath the current cathedral. After King Mindaugas's death, the site reverted to a place for pagan worship.

In 1387, Lithuania officially converted to Christianity, and a new Gothic cathedral was commissioned. This cathedral burned down in 1419. Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas, also known as Vytautas the Great, built a new cathedral in 1429 to celebrate his planned coronation. The coronation never took place, but the walls and pillars of this iteration still survive.

The cathedral was renovated in 1522, and a bell tower was added. More chapels and crypts were added between 1534 and 1557.

The future King of Poland was crowned Grand Duke of Lithuania in the cathedral in 1529. The cathedral was rebuilt with two new towers in 1610. In 1636, the Baroque Saint Casimir chapel was added. In 1692, artist Michelangelo Palloni decorated the chapel with frescoes. Artist Pietro Perti added the stuccowork and the altar. The chapel also features Jagiellon king statues.

The cathedral's southern tower collapsed in 1769. Following the collapse, the entire cathedral was reconstructed in its current Neoclassical style. The facade and roof feature saintly sculptures. Today the cathedral tower hosts an exhibition recounting the history of the church and offers visitors a spectacular view of the old town.

In 1993, Pope John Paul II began his Lithuanian journey in the cathedral.