Kauno mūsų Viešpaties Jėzaus Kristaus Prisikėlimo bazilika.Kaunas

Christ's Resurrection Basilica features a tower 220 ft high, with an observatory deck with some cool panoramic views of the city.

When in 1918, Lithuania regained its independence (Here we go.....), the idea of a new church that would express gratitude to God for its regained freedom arose.

The City, and temporary capital,Kaunas was chosen as its site. Vilnius at the time was part of Poland and would be until 1939.

!n 1928, A design competition was held and Christ's Resurrection Basilica was born, however due to the monumental scope of the design and cost escalation the design was not approved until 5 years later.

The first cornerstone, which was imported from Jerusalem's mount of olives was laid in 1934, by 1940 it was nearly complete. It was intended that the structure would become the National Pantheon, with underground crypts for Lithuania's distinguished people.

Work on the church was suspended during World War2 and the building was used by the occupying German authorities used the church as a warehouse.

Post WW2 when Lithuania became part of The Soviet Union the building was confiscated by the authorities, and Uncle Joe decreed that it be used as a factory that manufactured Banga radios and that continued until the company's bankruptcy in 1990, when Independent Lithuania reclaimed the building.

Restoration began during that decade, but a lack of funds only urgent repairs were carried out. This work picked up in 1997 after financial support was received from the government. (got to laugh, the pope is the head of the richest business on the planet). The church was consecrated in 2004.

Church on a church

The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Šiluva on the roof dedicated to the memory of those who died for the freedom of Lithuania.

Roof top landscapes of the city

A great vantage point up on the roof, traditional pitched roof buildings sat amongst greenery and trees. Whilst in the distance the brutalist concrete buildings tower above them.

Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania and was the european capital of culture in 2022, it cost the city approximately €26 million over the year funded partly by the EU and various sponsors, the cost also equating to about €13 per resident. I bet the eurocrat beurocrats enjoyed their copious number of free events, free food and back slapping, then swiftly moved on for 2023 not just one capital but three! Elefsina (Greece), Timișoara (Romania), and Veszprém (Hungary). Who wants to stand up and tell me that the EU is not a corrupt quango.

The city has a population of just over 300.000, 59% being ethnic Lithuanians, the rest a mixed bag of other east european countries.

One big empty space

Lithuania is a secular state the constitution guarantees freedom of religion and conscience. Catholicism is the majority faith followed by just under 75%. This particular church, very minimalist in design, can accommodate a congregation of around 5,000.

The stained glass panels were introduced in an ongoing programme that commenced in 2005, Two motifs are dominant, candles, and a star or light, which accompany a person through situations in life.
"Come into the light Carole Anne."

Seeking solace

So snapping away most of the others had wandered off, just spying the guide going downstairs, I kinda, walked quickly, hoping this was a way to a crypt,
"where is this going to?", the reply "to the bathrooms, do you need them"
AH! FFS

Still whilst the others tinkled...

I am seeing here a very abstract impression of the building I am in

Kaunas panorama with the Church of the Resurrection of Christ

A monk

What a strange place to hang some oil paintings. Tinkling tinkled, time to go.

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