Pažaislis Monastery

Kaunas, Kaunas1.5-2 hoursBest: May to September (summer music festival)

The finest Italian Baroque monastery in Lithuania — a 17th-century Camaldolese complex with magnificent frescoes, set on a peninsula overlooking the Kaunas Reservoir.

Pažaislis Monastery is widely regarded as the most outstanding example of Italian Baroque architecture in Lithuania and one of the finest in all of Eastern Europe. Built between 1667 and 1712 for the Camaldolese order, the monastery was designed by Italian architects and decorated with extraordinary frescoes by Florentine painter Michelangelo Palloni. The monastery's hexagonal church is the centerpiece, with a richly decorated interior featuring marble, stucco, and the magnificent ceiling frescoes. The complex is set on a wooded peninsula jutting into the Kaunas Reservoir, providing a serene and beautiful natural setting for the architectural masterpiece.

Why Visit

Lithuania's finest Baroque masterpiece, with frescoes rivaling Italian churches. The reservoir setting adds natural beauty to architectural splendor.

History

Built 1667-1712 for the Camaldolese order. Used as a psychiatric hospital during Soviet era. Returned to the Congregation of Sisters of St. Casimir after independence.

Address

T. Masiulio g. 31, Kaunas

Opening Hours

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 (seasonal)

Admission

€4

54.8744, 24.0311

Visitor Tips

1The summer music festival features concerts in the church
2The frescoes are the main attraction — look up
3The grounds offer nice walks along the reservoir
4Check opening times — varies seasonally

Nearby Locations

Kaunas Reservoir Hidden Beaches

The shores of the vast Kaunas Reservoir (Kauno marios) hide sandy beaches, quiet coves, and swimming spots that rival the Baltic coast — Lithuania's inland sea.

🏗️ Unique Architecture

Christ's Resurrection Church (Kauno Kristaus Prisikėlimo bažnyčia)

A monumental Art Deco church in Kaunas whose construction spans nearly a century — begun in 1934, used as a radio factory under the Soviets, and finally consecrated in 2004 with a rooftop terrace offering stunning city views.

Kaunas1-1.5 hours