There’s always fascinating history around sacred places in different countries. The differences and similarities of cultures and their sacred practices can really be interesting, not to mention the intricate designs of these places, like the Vilnius Cathedral in Lithuania. But have you ever wondered what are the Lithuanian words for sacred spaces?
If you’re interested in these special and religious spaces, you might want to consider booking a flight to the country and marking all the revered sites here. But before packing your bags and planning your whole trip, you might want to learn some Lithuanian words first. This will help you identify and understand the religious temples and structures surrounding you!
Lithuanian Words For Sacred Spaces
Lithuania, with its rich history and religious traditions, is home to several sacred places that hold immense cultural and spiritual significance. In navigating these sacred places, here are some words that may help you understand locals better when discussing these religious spots!
| English | Lithuanian | Transliteration |
| Church | Bažnyčia | Bazh-neecha |
| Sanctuary or Temple | Šventykla | Shven-teek-lah |
| Chapel | Kapelionas | Kah-pel-yo-nas |
| Altars | Altoriai | Al-to-ri-ai |
| Cross | Kryžius | Kree-zhoos |
| Holy Place | Šventojo vieta | Shven-toyo vee-eta |
| Pilgrimage Site | Piligriminė vieta | Pil-i-gri-mi-ne vee-eta |
| Monastery | Klosteris | Klos-te-ris |
| Convent or Monastery | Vienuolynas | Vie-nuo-ly-nas |
| Cathedral | Katedra | Ka-te-dra |
| Prayer House | Maldos namai | Mal-dos na-mai |
| Holy Spring | Šventojo šaltinis | Shven-toyo shal-ti-nis |
| Relic | Relikvija | Re-lik-vee-ya |
| Small Altar | Altariukas | Al-ta-riu-kas |
| Synagogue | Sinagoga | Si-na-go-ga |
| Mosque | Mečetė | Me-che-te |
| Hermitage | Eremitažas | E-re-mi-ta-zhas |
| God’s House | Dievo namai | Dye-vo na-mai |
| Wayside Cross | Kryžkelė | Kree-zhe-le |
Sacred Places In Lithuania
Now that you’ve learned some useful words you can use when visiting sacred places in Lithuania, you’re probably excited to get to the next part. We won’t leave you hanging here because, as a bonus, we searched for religious spaces that will definitely excite your hopeful soul. Here are some of the best places you can visit once you step foot in the land of Storks!
1. Hill Of Crosses (Kryžių Kalnas)
The Hill of Crosses is a site of pilgrimage in Lithuania, where people have been putting up crosses for centuries. Some may not understand how it started, but once you dive a little deeper, you’ll learn that this was a way to commemorate the victims during the rebellion of Poles and Lithuanians against Russians. Since most families couldn’t find the bodies of their loved ones, they placed crosses instead. It sounds like a painful memory for locals, but this gives modern Lithuania something to look back on, as the place isn’t just a piece of beautiful landscape but also a site with deep history.
2. Vilnius Cathedral (Vilniaus Šv. Stanislovo Ir Šv. Vladislovo Arkikatedra Bazilika)
Before Christianity reached Lithuania, the Baltic religion existed in this country. A Baltic deity named Perkūnas was worshiped by locals in this area, but later on, this sacred place was converted into a cathedral for Christians. You might get a bit of a headache once you go through the history of this place, since it has gone through several changes since 1251. Still, this sacred grove is considered a masterpiece, and it holds numerous important artworks from the 16th to 19th centuries.
3. Gate Of Dawn (Aušros Vartai)
Want to hear the interesting story of this sacred place? Upon searching for a photo online, you might wonder, “Where’s the gate?” Scrolling through the seemingly endless photos on Google, you probably won’t see the said gateway. Well, the legends around it can give you a clue as to why.
It was said that when Vilnius was captured during the Great Northern War, Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn (an icon for the Virgin Mary) became their rescuer. The heavy metal gates fell and crushed four Swedish soldiers. Eventually, the Polish-Lithuanian Army gained success in making their counter-attacks, making this shrine very significant to them. There are many articles discussing its history, and you’ll definitely stick your nose into it more once you swim deeper.
4. St. Anne’s Church (Šv. Onos Bažnyčia)
If you’re wandering around Vilnius’ Old Town, you can’t miss St. Anne’s Church – it’s a standout piece of Gothic architecture. It’s not just a big deal for us in Lithuania because of its rich history; it’s also recognized globally with a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list, alongside the nearby Bernardine Monastery. Legends say that Napoleon wanted to bring this church to his home in Paris. It’s an odd story; perhaps he really appreciated the beauty it holds, don’t you think?
Want To See More Lithuanian-Related Content?
The beauty and sacredness of these sites can easily capture your attention upon seeing them online. However, most travelers may encounter a teenie-tiny issue when planning to visit these religious sites: some may fear the language barrier. Wanting to learn more about the country’s history really calls for learning the Lithuanian language. Feeling intimidated? Don’t worry; the Ling app can help you out!
Learning languages can be fun, easy, and less intimidating with the app’s gamified learning system and easy-to-use interface. Have fun while taking tests, playing matching games, conversing with an AI chatbot, and much more. Dedicating at least 20 minutes of your time to using the app can also help speed up your learning journey. Not to mention you can even explore 60+ other languages you may be interested in, from popular ones like Spanish and German to lesser-known gems like Khmer and Afrikaans.
Download the Ling app today on the Play Store and App Store for FREE to start your journey.
