Church of Saints Philip and James: Vilnius carillon

Church of Saints Philip and James in Vilnius: a vivid red Dominican church in Lukiškės with an old Marian icon and Vilnius's 61-bell carillon

The Church of Saints Philip and James is the Dominican church of Lukiškės. Construction of its present masonry structure began in 1690, and its towers were completed in the first half of the eighteenth century. This long building history brought early and late Baroque forms together, while the restored Pompeian-red facade now stands out beside Lukiškės Square. Inside is the icon of Our Lady of Lukiškės with the Child, dated to the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century, and one tower contains the 61-bell Vilnius Carillon. This remains an active church, so visit the interior quietly and around services. On 25 July 2026, its exact Google Maps card was rated 4.8 out of 5 from 816 reviews.

Red and white facade of the Church of Saints Philip and James in Vilnius with its two Baroque towers

Place: Vilnius City Municipality
Region: Vilnius
Type: late-Baroque Dominican church and carillon venue
Address: 11 Vasario 16-osios Street, Vilnius
Coordinates: 54.69078, 25.27202
Visit duration: 30-60 minutes for the church; another 15 minutes for a seasonal short carillon recital
Best time: outside Mass; 13:00 or 19:15 from 1 May to 30 September if you wish to hear an officially listed short carillon recital

Names and variants

Lukiškės Dominican Church, Church of St Philip and St James, Church of St James and St Philip

The wooden church of 1642 and the Lukiškės Dominicans

The first Dominican church in Lukiškės was founded in 1642. Jurgis Liutauras Chreptavičius, Castellan of Smolensk, provided funds for a wooden church and monastery in what was then a Vilnius suburb beside a cemetery. The friars who lived here were entrusted with burying poor townspeople and conducting their funeral rites without charge.

The wooden buildings did not survive. The church was damaged during the war in 1655, rebuilt, and burned again in 1684. The Dominicans began a masonry church in 1690. The Register of Cultural Property dates its main construction to 1690-1727 and the completion of its towers to 1727-1737.

Baroque architecture formed in several stages

The long construction period explains the church's varied Baroque language. The lower tower stages and pediment were formed earlier, while the taller tapering stages with diagonal corners and graceful helmets belong to the more mature Vilnius Baroque tradition. The twin-towered facade remains a clear landmark in the Lukiškės townscape.

Restoration returned the facade to a rich colour known as Pompeian red, picked out by white pilasters, cornices, window surrounds, and scrolls. A straight path across the green churchyard gives a full frontal view of the symmetrical composition. The church, Dominican monastery, and former St James Hospital buildings form part of a protected heritage complex.

The icon of Our Lady of Lukiškės

One of the church's altars holds the image of Our Lady of Lukiškės with the Child. The Dominican account dates it to the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century and attributes it to the school of icon painter Dionisius. Written sources connect its journey with Motiejus Korvinas Gosievskis, the Dominicans of Sejny, and its transfer to the Lukiškės monastery in 1684.

The faithful venerate the icon as miraculous. The Dominican source states that more than 170 testimonies associated with it were recorded between 1684 and 1688, and that Bishop Konstantinas Bžostovskis of Vilnius recognised the image as miraculous by decree in 1688. For a visitor, this should be understood as the history of a documented religious cult and church tradition, rather than a scientifically verified judgement of the events.

Closure, warehouse use, and the Dominicans' return

The imperial Russian authorities closed the Dominican monastery and expelled the friars in 1844. Soviet authorities closed the church itself in 1948. The neglected building was used for storage, including by the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre, and demolition was considered during the Soviet period.

The church was returned to the faithful in 1992, and a restored Dominican community settled in the monastery in 1993. Work on the building renewed its interior and facades, and the icon of Our Lady of Lukiškės returned. The site is now not merely a restored monument but an active rectory, monastery, and religious community.

The 61-bell Vilnius Carillon

A five-octave concert carillon was installed in one of the church towers in 2015. It consists of 61 bells designed and cast by the Royal Eijsbouts foundry in the Netherlands. The smallest weighs 8 kilograms, while the largest, named Our Lady of Lukiškės, weighs 3,360 kilograms. It is Lithuania's largest carillon and one of the largest in the Baltic region.

The official Vilnius Carillon website lists free short recitals of about 15 minutes every day at 13:00 and 19:15 from 1 May to 30 September. The churchyard and Lukiškės Square are convenient listening places. Separate live concerts and a festival have their own programmes, so recheck seasonal times before travelling.

Opening hours and respectful visiting

On 25 July 2026, the Archdiocese of Vilnius listed opening hours of 10:00-19:00 Monday-Saturday and 08:00-19:00 on Sunday. Mass was celebrated at 12:00 and 18:00 Monday-Saturday; Sunday services were at 09:00, 11:00, 16:00 in Polish, and 18:00 for young people. Schedules can change, so check the official source.

The Archdiocese page lists no separate sightseeing ticket. Enter outside services where possible, or sit quietly; do not photograph people at prayer without consent or enter closed monastic areas. The official visitor information does not detail wheelchair access, so contact the rectory in advance about thresholds or assistance.

Church of Saints Philip and James in Vilnius: frequently asked questions

Where is the Church of Saints Philip and James in Vilnius?

The church is at 11 Vasario 16-osios Street, beside the western side of Lukiškės Square. Its exact Google Maps card has Place ID ChIJM26gVg-U3UYRrRoYLTPWlZs.

When was the present Church of Saints Philip and James built?

The first wooden Dominican church was founded in 1642. The present masonry church was built in stages from 1690 to 1727, and its towers were completed between 1727 and 1737.

Why is the church facade such a vivid red?

Restoration returned the facade to a rich colour known as Pompeian red. White pilasters, cornices, window surrounds, and other Baroque details provide the strong contrast.

Why is the icon of Our Lady of Lukiškės important?

The Dominican source dates it to the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century and records its transfer to the Lukiškės monastery in 1684. The faithful venerate it as miraculous, a cult status recognised by the Bishop of Vilnius in 1688.

How many bells are in the Vilnius Carillon?

The five-octave carillon has 61 bells. The smallest weighs 8 kilograms, and the largest, named Our Lady of Lukiškės, weighs 3,360 kilograms.

When can I hear the carillon at the Church of Saints Philip and James?

The official website lists daily recitals of about 15 minutes at 13:00 and 19:15 from 1 May to 30 September. Times and the festival programme can change, so check them before arrival.

When is the church open, and when are services held?

On 25 July 2026, the published hours were 10:00-19:00 Monday-Saturday and 08:00-19:00 on Sunday. The Archdiocese page lists current Mass times and should be checked again before travelling.

Do I need a ticket to enter the church or hear the carillon?

The Archdiocese page lists no separate sightseeing ticket, and the seasonal short carillon recitals are advertised as free. Special events may use different arrangements.

Is Vilnius Church of Sts Philip and James accessible to visitors with limited mobility?

The official church visitor page does not give detailed information about thresholds or adapted entry. If you need wheelchair access or assistance, contact the rectory before visiting.