See & Do

Church of St Constantine and Michael (Romanov Church)

Known as the Romanov Church, the Orthodox Church of St Constantine and Michael was built in 1913 to mark 300 years of the Romanov dynasty, and its golden domes in the Rostov–Suzdal style are among the most striking sights on J. Basanavičiaus Street.

Updated Jun 20262 min read·2 sections

A grey BMW SUV drives on a cobblestone street in Vilnius, Lithuania, with a red trolleybus and other cars in the background.

The short version

✓The 'Romanov Church', built in 1913 for the dynasty's 300th anniversary
✓Striking golden domes in the ancient Rostov–Suzdal style
✓A peaceful, spiritual Orthodox interior with a praised choir
✓A short walk southwest of the Old Town on J. Basanavičiaus Street

What to expect

On J. Basanavičiaus Street just southwest of the Old Town, the Orthodox Church of St Constantine and Michael (Šv. Konstantino ir Michailo cerkvė) is widely known as the Romanov Church. It was built in 1913 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, and its exterior — a cluster of golden domes in the older Rostov–Suzdal style of Russian church architecture — is its great draw, much admired and very photogenic.

Holy Spirit Orthodox — Vilnius, Lithuania — Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0

Step inside and the mood turns quiet and spiritual: visitors describe a peaceful, calm space well suited to prayer and reflection, with a welcoming community and a choir that is often praised during services. Several note that the interior feels plainer than the dramatic exterior would suggest, so come above all for the domes and the atmosphere.

Address: J. Basanavičiaus g. 27, just southwest of the Old Town
Style: Orthodox, with Rostov–Suzdal golden domes

Built: 1913, for the Romanov dynasty's 300th anniversary

Visiting respectfully

As an active Orthodox church, the same etiquette applies as at any place of worship: dress modestly, keep voices low, and be discreet with photography, especially during services. It makes an easy stop on a walk between the Old Town and the leafier streets to the west.

Pair it with Vilnius's other Orthodox landmarks for a fuller picture of the city's Eastern-rite heritage alongside its more famous Catholic Baroque churches.

Orthodox Cathedral of the Theotokos

Vilnius's principal Orthodox cathedral, near the Old Town.

Churches & sacred sites

Browse Vilnius churches, chapels and shrines in one place.

Senamiestis (Old Town)

The UNESCO-listed Old Town a short walk east.

Best things to do

A first-trip shortlist of Vilnius highlights.