Orthodox Churches in the Civitas Rutenica Area of Vilnius: The Question of Location
Volume 16 (2011): Settlements and Towns, pp. 110–128
Pub. online: 20 September 2012
Type: Article
Open Access
Received
17 November 2011
17 November 2011
Revised
9 December 2011
9 December 2011
Accepted
20 December 2011
20 December 2011
Published
20 September 2012
20 September 2012
Abstract
The Orthodox community which settled in the Civitas Rutenica area in Vilnius started building their houses of worship (Orthodox churches) as early as the first half of the 14th century. At the beginning of the 15th century, there were 12 of them inside the quarter and two outside it. These churches, reflecting Orthodox culture and showing the usual features of their construction, predetermined the further development of this part of the city, and the development of whole areas of Vilnius. Locating them precisely enables us to better understand the urban development of Vilnius, and trends within this development.