Paparčiai Dominican Monastery Site

The Dominican monastery of Ferns is considered the spiritual and cultural center of the Dominicans with the largest library of the country at that time. Only the baroque gate and the chapel have survived to this day.
The construction of the monastery began in 1650. Its founder was the LDK treasurer Stanislovas Beinartas himself. This monastery has connections with almost all the most influential noble families of the LDK.
As in his book "Anxious Journey" in 1849 writes count Konstantinas Tiškevičius, "passing by this place, on its left bank, two white towers and the roof of a wonderful church stand out from behind the trees in the dark distance, whose regular lines and beautiful contours attract with their clear whiteness and stand out in the green landscape...".
The monastery was closed, with a brick church, a chapel that has survived to this day, and a two-story monastery building. A hospital was established near the monastery. There was a large, advancedly organized farm: orangery, forges, carpentry workshops, sewing shops, ice cream parlors, breweries. The monks sold their own wine and beer.
Historical documents speak of the beauty of the monastery. The interior of the church is decorated with seven altars, an ornate pulpit and a baptistery. The documents mention that the building contained paintings by famous painters of that time. The floor was made of marble slabs, the vaults were made of bricks, partially painted. The entire complex with outbuildings and gardens occupied more than 3500 sq. m. m.
The remains of the frescoes in the chapel testify to the high artistic level.