The Ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church; Ieva Baranauskaite The Ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church in Kretinga

The Franciscan Monastery and Church in Kretinga Address: 2 Vilnius str. City: Kretinga Country: Lithuania Continent: Europe Coordinates: The Ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church; Ieva Baranauskaite

 The history of the Bernardine church in Kretinga began when Jonas Karolis Chodkevicius, governor of the town and the manor, together with his wife established a monastery of the Order of Friars Minor, otherwise known as the Bernardines, in  In 1908, the church was reconstructed - two side naves were added.  In 1946 the monastery was closed again and the church was transferred to the diocese priests.  The Order of Friars Minor returned to their old shrine only in the autumn of  In 1991, they regained the premises of the monastery.  From 1991 until nowadays they are successfully living and working there. The Ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church; Ieva Baranauskaite

Basement plan Basement cut Church ground plan

The Kretinga’s Church contains Gothic and Renaissance features. It is considered to be a basilican church with semi-circle chapel and a high tower. The church has three naves and seven Baroque altars. In the basement of the church there is a memorial to the noble burials. Churchyard is surrounded by a brick fence. The main altar is a significant value of a church. It is sixteen meters high and eight meters width. The altar has twenty one sculpture in it and it is considered to be the biggest wooden altar in Lithuania. The central doors of the church are decorated with carvings and blazons of fundators, which make them extraordinary form others. The Ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church; Ieva Baranauskaite

Kretinga’s church and Monastery as a museum : There are two parts of the museum. First part is called “the Crypt of Chodkeviciai family”. This crypt is built in the prestigious place of the church – under the main altar. The crypt contains five sarcophagus, which all belong to the Chodkeviciai (fundators of the church) family. Another part of the permanent exhibition is called “The Chapel of Martyrs”. It is the original place where monks used to read books. As the biggest part of the museum is in the basement, there is no natural lightning. Artificial enlightenment is set for every vault and for all of the sarcophagus. The Ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church; Ieva Baranauskaite

The church of Kretinga is probably one of the most popular and favourite Franciscan, earlier referred as the Bernardines, shrines in Lithuania. The ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church is the cultural center of Kretinga. Monks are organizing youth camps, cultural events, discussions. Monastery has a special place for temporary exhibitions, which are often made by children or local community members. There is a charity canteen and pharmacy, also a day center for addicted people. In general, this sacred site has a special aura, which has to be felt, not only observed with the help of drawings and photos. The Ensemble of Franciscan Monastery and Church; Ieva Baranauskaite