Pazaislis Monastery

Pazaislis is a serene Italian baroque monastery set on a wooded peninsula above the Kaunas reservoir, its pink-and-white church and cloisters built by Camaldolese monks with imported Italian craftsmen. It is the finest baroque ensemble in the country and, in summer, the setting for a well-loved classical music festival.

What you actually see

• The baroque church - the domed pink-and-white church with Italian frescoes.
• The cloisters - the calm arcaded courtyards of the monastery.
• The peninsula setting - the ensemble above the water among trees.
• The summer festival - classical concerts held in the courtyards.

When to go

Summer for the music festival and the greenery of the peninsula; the church and cloisters are worthwhile year-round. Weekday visits are quiet and contemplative.

Honest expectations

It is a working religious community, so parts are restricted and quiet behaviour is expected. It sits outside central Kaunas, a short trip out rather than a walk. The frescoes have suffered over centuries of turbulent history, so it is atmospheric rather than pristine.

Nearby

Central Kaunas and its modernist streets are twenty minutes west; the reservoir shore is good for a walk.