Gothic

The Gothic style first emerged in the 12th century in Northern France, and is characterized by its towering spires and vaulted roofs that reach for the heavens. Centuries were to pass before the style finally arrived in Lithuania, but when it did, the magnificence of the examples created, more than compensated for the period that had intervened. The 14th century was to see the construction of such wondrous examples of the high Gothic style as the Church of St. Anne in Vilnius, so beautiful that Napoleon himself expressed a desire to take it home with him. Flamboyance was mixed with the distinctive “brick Gothic” style that is characteristic of the Baltic Region to produce fine red brick that continue to inspire awe and appreciation to this day. Gothic was to find its easternmost expression in Lithuania, with such other examples as Gediminas Tower in Vilnius, the Churches of Vytautas the Great and St Gertrude in Kaunas, and the fairytale castle of Trakai, nestled in the centre of Lake Galvė.