Photo by www.pamatyklietuvoje.lt / See source website
🏗️ Unique ArchitectureKaunasEasy access
Zapyškis Church
Kaunas, Kaunas30-60 minutesBest: Year-round (flooding typically March-April)
One of Lithuania's oldest Gothic brick churches, standing alone in a riverside meadow — a hauntingly beautiful 16th-century building that floods regularly from the Nemunas.
The Church of St. John the Baptist in Zapyškis is one of the most photographed churches in Lithuania, and its setting explains why. This late Gothic brick church, dating from the early 16th century, stands alone in a meadow beside the Nemunas River. When the river floods — which happens regularly in spring — the church appears to rise from the water, creating one of Lithuania's most iconic images.
The church is remarkable for its architecture: red brick Gothic with a distinctive stepped gable, minimal ornamentation, and an austerity that speaks of its Reformation-era origins. The interior retains Gothic vaulting and fragments of early wall paintings. Despite regular flooding, the building has survived over 500 years.
Why Visit
An architectural gem in an unforgettable setting. The image of this Gothic church reflected in floodwaters is one of Lithuania's most iconic and haunting scenes.
Address
Zapyškis, Kaunas district
54.8333, 23.5833
Visitor Tips
- 1Spring flooding creates the most dramatic photos
- 2The interior is sometimes accessible
- 3Located near the Nemunas riverside road
- 4A short detour from the Kaunas-Jurbarkas route