See & Do

Church of St Raphael the Archangel

A graceful late-Baroque church set beside the Neris just north of the Old Town, the Church of St Raphael the Archangel is admired for its riverside setting, Rococo-topped towers and quiet, welcoming parish atmosphere.

Updated Jun 20262 min read·2 sections

An aerial view of Vilnius Old Town with red-roofed buildings and church spires, seen from an airplane window with the aircraft wing in the foreground.

The short version

✓Elegant late-Baroque church begun in the early 1700s
✓Twin towers with Rococo helmets overlooking the Neris River
✓A peaceful, quiet setting against the modern city skyline
✓Bilingual Mass in Lithuanian and Polish

What to expect

Standing just across the Neris from the Old Town in the Šnipiškės area, the Church of St Raphael the Archangel (Šv. arkangelo Rapolo bažnyčia) is a fine late-Baroque church whose spires rise above the riverbank near the historic crossing point into the city. Built by the Jesuits in the early 18th century as a tripartite basilica, its towers were later crowned with Rococo helmets and lanterns.

Vilnius Churches — Vilnius, Lithuania — Hans-Joachim Kaiser · Unsplash License

Visitors cherish it for its beautiful architecture and the calm, quiet atmosphere inside, a serene contrast to the glass towers of the modern business district that have grown up around it. The main altar painting depicts St Raphael guiding the young Tobias home.

Address: Šnipiškių g. 1, just north of the Old Town across the Neris
Style: late Baroque, with Rococo-topped towers

Setting: riverside, beside the modern centre

A welcoming parish

The parish is known for its welcoming priests and a strong sense of community, with Mass celebrated in both Polish and Lithuanian. Keep an eye out for special events, including occasional concerts. Note that the church has undergone extensive renovation work, which may at times limit access or screen off parts of the historic building, so it is worth checking before a dedicated visit.

Churches & sacred sites

Browse Vilnius churches, chapels and shrines in one place.

Senamiestis (Old Town)

The UNESCO-listed Old Town just across the river.

Church of St Constantine & Michael

The golden-domed Romanov church a short way west.

Best things to do

A first-trip shortlist of Vilnius highlights.