- Place
- Plungė District Municipality
- Region
- Samogitia
- Type
- active eighteenth-century timber Catholic church with a detached bell tower
- Address
- Didžioji g. 15, LT-90420 Plateliai
- Coordinates
- 56.04055, 21.81614
- Visit duration
- 25-45 minutes; longer when attending Mass
- Best time
- before Sunday Mass at 12:00 or after arranging access with the parish
Plateliai Church, St Peter and St Paul Church, Plateliai
A hewn-log sanctuary from 1744
The present church was built from hewn logs in 1744. Its patron was Plateliai priest Juozapas Vaitkevičius, buried beneath it. The nearby Beržoras church followed in 1746, and the two cruciform buildings are thought to have been made by the same craftsmen.
Vertical board cladding, a tall dark roof, small ridge turret, and projecting arms define the restrained exterior. A timber structure depends on a stable indoor climate, so never prop doors open or touch old surfaces.
Six altars and a Rococo pulpit
Six altars occupy the church. The high altar is Baroque, while the pulpit carries Rococo ornament and an openwork canopy crowned by a coronet. Their richness demonstrates how an elaborate eighteenth-century interior could inhabit a modest timber shell.
A unique timber baptistery in a side space remains in use, while the organ dates from 1909. View all details from the public nave and do not enter the sanctuary or organ loft without permission.
The detached bell tower and churchyard
A massive multi-stage timber bell tower stands beside the church and holds two bells. Its dark boarding and broad pyramidal roof contrast with the lighter church. Keeping the bells separate also reduced vibration and fire risk to the main log structure.
The ensemble reads best from the churchyard gate, where both buildings fit in one view. This is an active parish and place of remembrance: speak quietly, avoid graves, and do not stage noisy photo sessions.
Services and interior access
In July 2026 the Diocese of Telšiai listed Mass on Sundays at 12:00, weekdays at 18:00, and Saturdays at 11:00 and by arrangement. Confession begins half an hour beforehand. Check the official page for feast-day changes.
There is no admission ticket, but the doors are not guaranteed to stay open for tourism all day. Arrive before worship or contact the parish in advance. The feast of Saints Peter and Paul centres on 29 June and is usually transferred to Sunday.
