Church of St. Francis Xavier

"The Jesuits arrived in Kaunas in 1642 and established their first residence, which included a chapel, in 1643. The construction of the Church of St. Francis Xavier began in 1666 and was completed in 1720, with the church being consecrated in 1722. During the Tsarist Russian government's rule in 1824, the church was transferred to the Orthodox Church for their use. Thankfully, it was reassigned back to the Jesuits in 1924. Following the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union, the church underwent a significant transformation. It was repurposed as a technical school, and the interior of the church was adapted for use as a sports hall. It wasn't until 1989 that the church was returned to the Jesuits once again. The Church of St. Francis Xavier is a fine example of late Baroque architecture. The church features a facade with profiled cornices, stepped frieze strips, and three vertical tiers divided by double-edged pilasters. The most striking feature of the church is the twin bell towers flanking the main facade. These towers are crowned with elegant domes and cross finials, adding to the church's impressive silhouette."