See & Do

Holy Trinity Uniate Church

A serene, atmospheric Greek Catholic church and monastery near the Gates of Dawn, blending Gothic, Baroque and Byzantine styles and serving Vilnius's Ukrainian and Belarusian communities.

Updated Jun 20262 min read·1 sections

A winter view of the Neris River in Vilnius filled with floating circular ice floes, with snowy banks and modern skyscrapers under a clear blue sky.

The short version

✓A unique blend of Gothic, Baroque and Byzantine architectural styles
✓Quiet, serene atmosphere just steps from the busy Gates of Dawn
✓A living cultural hub for Vilnius's Ukrainian and Belarusian communities
✓Reached through the elegant Basilian Gate on Aušros Vartų street

What to expect

Visitors are captivated by the Holy Trinity Church's profound history and serene, atmospheric quality, often describing it as a hidden treasure. Tucked away near the Gates of Dawn and reached through the ornate Basilian Gate, it offers a quiet retreat from the main street, with a layered interior that mixes Gothic, Baroque and Byzantine elements. The church and its adjoining Basilian monastery sit at the southern edge of the Old Town.

Vilnius Oldtown Aerial — Vilnius, Lithuania — BigHead · CC BY-SA 4.0

The site has a rich past: it commemorates the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's 1514 victory at the Battle of Orsha, and over the centuries the monastery was an important centre of printing and learning. Today it is a Greek Catholic (Uniate) church and a crucial cultural centre for Vilnius's Ukrainian and Belarusian communities, with services held in their languages. Visitors should be aware that the building is undergoing slow, ongoing restoration, so scaffolding may be present inside.

Address: Aušros Vartų g. 7B, 01304 Vilnius
Best for: history, architecture, a quiet moment near the Gates of Dawn
Note: restoration is ongoing; interior scaffolding may be present