Though today Vaclovas Michnevičius is remembered mainly for neo-gothic and neo-Romantic churches that he designed, however, the architect‘s creative work was not limited to the interpretations of medieval styles alone. There are several eclectic sanctuaries designed by Vaclovas Michnevičius in the territory of Lithuania where synthesis of neo-renaissance and neo-baroque reveals itself. One of them is the Church of Gegužinė in the most northerly part of Kaišiadorys region. Though the construction of the building was begun in 1909, due to the hardships of the war the sanctuary opened its door only two decades later, in 1932. At first sight volumetric and functional elements characteristic of neo-renaissance catcher the eye. They are octagonal turrets or abutments taken over from the gothic style and characteristic of old renaissance architecture of Lithuania.
First of all, baroqueness is expressed here through various fine elements, for example, one-storied part of the building with turrets in connecting side volutes or in the pediment rising higher than the latter, which is surrounded by a broken cornice. Like other similar churches designed by Vaclovas Michnevičius the present one has a form of the Latin cross. The basilica-like inner space consists of three naves the middle one of which ends in a three-wall apse. In the middle of the fourth decade the high altar was installed where a strong neo-baroque influence is obvious. The Church differs from other sanctuaries first of all in the material it was build of – houses of worship built of stone are especially rare in the country, particularly in the buildings constructed at the beginning of the 20th century.
Church of the Annunciation in Gegužinė - 143, Gegužinė 56392, Lietuva
