Exhibitions

The history of St. Catherine’s Church and the former Benedictine Convent began 400 years ago, when the first small group of nuns arrived in Vilnius from Nesvizh. By the 18th century, the community had grown into one of the largest convent in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, becoming a significant cultural hub and building the ornate St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, recognized as a Baroque masterpiece. During the tsarist repressions, the convent declined but miraculously avoided closure, remaining the only functioning Catholic monastery in the entire city. In the early 20th century, despite being on the brink of extinction, it revived with a new strength.
World War II and the Soviet era took the Benedictines’ home, scattered their wealth, and divided the community – some nuns remained in Vilnius, while others moved to Poland. Yet, the Benedictine nuns of Vilnius persevered: they managed to restore monastic life in both countries, where they continue to live to this day, cherishing the memory of their roots and preserving authentic traditions shaped during the time of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

They were and are!

Curators: Karolina Koroliova-Barkova, Rita Pauliukevičiūtė
Consultant dr. Liudas Jovaiša
Coordinators: Indraja Kubilytė, dr. Laura Petrauskaitė, Livija Salickienė, Vidmantė Narvidaitė, Akvilė Melkūnaitė
Architect Marija Repšytė
Designer Marek Voida
Exhibition installation works were carried out by UAB "Menų kalvė"
Lithuanian copy editor Rita Markulienė
Translator Kotryna Garanašvili

Exhibits were loaned by:
Lithuanian National Museum of Art, National Museum of Lithuania, Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, National Museum in Warsaw, St. Catherine's Abbey of the Benedictine Sisters, The Benedictine Sisters of Kaunas, Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis National Museum of Art, Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy Library, Vilnius University Library, St. Trinity Church in Nedzingė, Holy Spirit Church in Vilnius, Marius Jonaitis
With thanks for the digital images provided by:
Archives of the National Museum of Warsaw, Heritage Preservation Library of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History, Vilnius Regional State Archives, Benedictine Sisters Abbey in Żarnowiec

Museum sponsors: Vilnius Archdiocese, Lithuanian council for culture
Exhibition sponsors: Vilnius City Municipality, UAB “Domus Maria”
Media sponsors: bernardinai.lt, “Vaga”, “Artuma”, “IQ”, “Kelionė”, “Magnicifat”

Photo for the poster is provided by Marius Jonaitis.