Museum
Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a museum.
About Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Overview & Identity
The Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Lithuanian: Švč. Mergelės Marijos Apsilankymo bazilika) is a prominent Roman Catholic church located in Trakai, Lithuania, situated on a peninsula surrounded by lakes. Founded in 1409 by Grand Duke Vytautas the Great, it serves as a major spiritual center for the region and one of only eight basilicas in the country. The church was officially granted the title of minor basilica in 2017, a designation reserved for churches with special ties to the Pope and significant historical or spiritual importance. It is renowned for housing the miraculous icon of the Trakai Madonna, which has been venerated for over six centuries.
History & Founding
The church was founded in 1409 by the initiative of Grand Duke Vytautas the Great. Throughout its history, the building has never been closed, nor has it ever served another faith community or been used for non-religious purposes, making it an exceptional monument to continuous faith. In 2017, during its jubilee year, the main altar was consecrated, and the church received the title of basilica. This title underscores its special ties with the Pope, as the church has housed the Mother of God image for 600 years. A monument to Pope John Paul II, consecrated in 2015, stands in the churchyard.
Architecture & Interior
Originally constructed in the Gothic style, the church was significantly altered during the Baroque period, and its current appearance is largely defined by these later modifications. The interior walls, dating to the 15th century, feature Byzantine-style paintings, with the first fragments of these frescoes discovered in 2006. These frescoes depict scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. In 2017, new bells were blessed; the main bell, dedicated to the Trakai Mother of God, weighs 700 kilograms and was cast in Węgrów, Poland.
Collection Highlights
The church's most significant holding is the icon of the Trakai Madonna, the first image of Mary in Lithuania to be crowned by a Pope. Originally a Gothic standing figure, the icon was repainted in the Byzantine style as a seated Hodegetria, with the Child Jesus in a purple tunic. The image received papal crowns 300 years ago and was titled 'Intercessor of the Afflicted' in 1718. Other notable holdings include a 17th-century painting of 'Our Lady of the Rosary with St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena' in the northeast corner, as well as various relics, easel paintings, and memorial monuments.
Significance & Legacy
The Basilica is a testament to the deep Lithuanian tradition of devotion to Mary and serves as a spiritual center that attracts pilgrims from neighboring countries and beyond. It hosts major celebrations such as the annual Žolinės (Feast of the Assumption) and the Trakinės (Trakai Mother of God image coronation celebration), which include a 30-kilometer procession from the Gates of Dawn in Vilnius. The church maintains an active social life and pastoral care, holding daily masses in both Lithuanian and Polish, and continues to be a destination for prayer for the welfare of the nation and the world.