See & Do

St Bartholomew the Apostle Church

A secluded, classical church in Užupis, founded in 1644 and now the spiritual home of Vilnius's Belarusian Catholic community, known for its peaceful courtyard terrace and panoramic views over the city.

Updated Jun 20262 min read·1 sections

A paved pedestrian path lined with trees and benches runs alongside a lake with boats and paddleboards under a blue sky.

The short version

✓A small, cozy church with a peaceful, sincere atmosphere tucked away in the artistic Užupis district.
✓A courtyard terrace that many visitors single out for its stunning panoramic views over Vilnius.
✓The spiritual and cultural hub of the city's Belarusian community, with services held in the Belarusian language.
✓A historic site with roots in 1644 and a poignant link to the painter Ferdynand Ruszczyc, who asked for his heart to be buried here.

St Bartholomew the Apostle Church

St Bartholomew the Apostle Church (Šv. apaštalo Baltramiejaus bažnyčia) is a quiet, secluded gem on the edge of Užupis, at Užupio g. 17A. Visitors consistently praise its peaceful, sincere atmosphere and its well-kept courtyard, whose terrace opens onto what many call stunning panoramic views over the Old Town and the river valley below. After the buzz of central Užupis, it makes a calm, reflective stop.

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

A church has stood on this site since 1644, though the building has been damaged by fire and rebuilt several times. Its present classical form dates largely to an 1823–1824 reconstruction by Fr Augustinas Stodolnikas, after an earlier oratory designed by Martynas Knakfusas (Martin Knackfuss); the bell tower was added in 1881. Today it is the only church serving Vilnius's small Belarusian Catholic community, and services are conducted in the Belarusian language — a quiet reminder of the city's layered cultures.

The church carries a tender piece of local history: the painter Ferdynand Ruszczyc (1870–1936), who lived nearby in Užupis and married here in 1913, asked in his will for his heart to be buried in St Bartholomew's. It pairs naturally with a wider wander through Užupis and the Old Town. As a working parish, service times and access can vary, so be respectful of worship and check ahead if you want to go inside.

Užupis guide

Explore the self-declared republic the church sits within.

Churches & sacred sites

More of Vilnius's churches and places of worship.

Užupis neighbourhood

The bohemian district around the church.

Best things to do

A first-trip shortlist of Vilnius highlights.