St. Anne's Church

This church is a source of legends. Perhaps because of its beauty, or perhaps because so few facts are known, it is surrounded by legends. If you have read about this place, you have probably heard the legend about Napoleon. Supposedly, when he visited Vilnius, he was so charmed by this Gothic monument that he exclaimed: "I would carry this church to Paris in the palm of my hand!" Unfortunately, from the countries he conquered he took works of art to France, while he not only had no interest in houses of prayer but also closed them. Napoleon's soldiers set up a storehouse in St. Anne's Church and kept horses there. Another legend is harder to disprove. The church's architect is still unknown; there are only two bricks set in the wall with masons' marks that no one has managed to decipher. It is said that the builders were an elderly master, Vaitiekus, and a young apprentice, Jonas, who criticised his teacher's dull foundations. Offended, the master left the work to the young man, who built a light upper part, figured pinnacles and three graceful façade towers on top of the plain lower part. Vaitiekus was then seized by envy and pushed his apprentice off the top of the church.