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Kaunas our Lord Jesus Christ's Resurrection Basilica is the largest basilica of monumental architecture in the Baltic States. It was solemnly consecrated on 26 December 2004.

 

After Lithuania regained its independence, there was an idea to build a church in 1922 in Kaunas (which was the temporary capital at the time) as a symbol of gratitude to God for the restored independence.

 

It was believed that the constructed church will become a 20th century architectural monument in the future due to its modern style, innovative design, the best construction materials and excellent quality of construction work. The inside of the church had to have the best equipment and interior: elevators, pipe organs, and works of the most well-known Lithuanian artists. Even the size of the Resurrection Church had to surpass other churches in the Baltic region. Latvian architect K. Reisonas embodied rationalism – expressive economic simplicity – a clear vertical rhythm for the basilical volume in the church. This is quite typical for creations of that time – to express an idea through laconic means, without using too much details. This style is related to that of the protestant churches.

 

Height of the great tower was 70 m, middle nave – 30 m, side naves – 18 m, height of great tower up to the cross – 33 m, cross height – 7 m, dimensions of roof terrace: 45×13 m. St. Casimir chapel had to be built on the upper tier of the tower,  as well as an outside observation deck around it. 2 elevators had to be used to lift people up to the tower. The shrine had to accommodate 5000 believers (with 700 seats), as well as 2000 believers on the roof terrace. All 56 first-stage windows (with height of 10 m) had to be of stained glass. The church itself had to become the nation's Pantheon: specially equipped crypts were designed to be used to bury the most deserving figures in the country, as well as transfer to them the remains of already deceased famous Lithuanians.

 

After the completion of the exterior construction works of the church, it became evident that acoustics in the spacious minimalist interior are catastrophic. An acoustic research was launched in 2004 carried out by architect and space acoustic system specialist Vytautas Barkauskas who used various music instruments, voice, special devices and even firearms for this purpose. This research has shown that acoustics were indeed problematic. In the large space, high tones were suppressed after 6 seconds, while low tones – only after 13 seconds. For comparison – in the reconstructed Memorial Resurrection Church, low tone sounds are suppressed after 1.6 seconds, meaning that sound reaches the human ear with practically no resonance. In order for the walls of the church to be able to absorb sound better, a special acoustic plaster made by Knauf company was used. Special sound traps were also installed under the windows and in other unobtrusive places and were used to create a thorough, professional-grade acoustic system. Inner walls were covered with at least five layers of plaster, as well as special plaster and mineral wool panels. Numerous gracefully curved forms were also created and serve both as an aesthetic element, as well as a foundation for acoustics.

 

The roof of the Christ's Resurrection Church has a 45×13 m terrace overlooking the spectacular panorama of Kaunas city. The terrace can be accessed through the side doors by climbing up the stairs or taking the elevator. During the Holy Mass, the terrace can accommodate around 2000 people. It also has a chapel whose altar displays a bricked Relic of St. Anthony. Young Lithuanian couples from Žaliakalnis and other parts of Lithuania take their wedding vows on the terrace which is also used for the sacrament of baptism of children. This is the only such chapel in the entire country. The height of the terrace is 28 meters (like a 10-storey building) with 189 steps leading to it.

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