The 1979 postcard captures the magnificent Church of St. Catherine in Vilnius, a characteristic example of the city’s Baroque architecture.
What is shown on the postcard
The image depicts St. Catherine’s Church, constructed in a late Baroque style, with its distinctive tall tower crowned by an angel statue. To the right, part of the former Benedictine monastery complex is visible, featuring arcaded galleries on the ground floor, along which pedestrians are walking. The street captured in the postcard presents a typical urban landscape of Vilnius in the late 1970s.
Historical note
St. Catherine’s Church was founded in 1625 and its construction continued until the mid-18th century. It was part of a women’s Benedictine monastery. The architectural appearance seen in the postcard was shaped after a reconstruction in the Vilnius Baroque style, carried out by Johann Christoph Glaubitz in 1737-1743, following a fire. During the Soviet period, from 1946 to 1990, the church was closed for worship and used as a warehouse, and later as a concert hall, which is the context of this postcard from that era.
Present day
Currently, St. Catherine’s Church functions as an active Catholic church and a popular venue for concerts and cultural events. It has undergone restoration and maintains its historic Baroque appearance, including the tower with the angel statue. The street where the church is located is now called Vilniaus gatvė and remains a vibrant part of Vilnius’s historic center, attracting tourists and city residents.
Location (map)
Address: Vilnius, Vilniaus gatvė 30
Coordinates: 54.683300, 25.279700
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: The location on the postcard is identified as St. Catherine’s Church (Šv. Kotrynos bažnyčia) on Vilniaus gatvė. The street name on the postcard “M. Gorky Street” is a Soviet-era name for a main street, but not accurate for this specific site..
Questions and answers
- What is depicted on the postcard? The 1979 postcard shows St. Catherine’s Church in Vilnius, with its characteristic Baroque tower and adjacent buildings.
- In what style is St. Catherine’s Church built? St. Catherine’s Church is built in a late Baroque style, with its current appearance formed after a reconstruction in the Vilnius Baroque style by Johann Christoph Glaubitz.
- What is located in the place of St. Catherine’s Church now? Currently, St. Catherine’s Church is an active Catholic church and is also used as a concert hall and cultural center.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Vilnius from 1979.
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