The old part of Kražiai town, located on both sides of the River Kražantė, is protected as an urban cultural value. One of the historical monuments here is the surviving building of the former Jesuit College (early 17th century). It is part of a huge complex of Jesuit buildings that once existed in Kražiai. Jesuit monks settled in Kražiai in 1608. In 1614, J. K. Chodkevičius gave 7 villages to them, and in 1615, Mikalojus Kristupas Radvila donated a plot of land with an unfinished castle. Jesuits rearranged the castle and in 1616, founded Kražiai College – the most important centre of education and religious life in Samogitia. As many as 22 buildings of various purposes were built in the area of about 4 hectares: a monastery-college building (3 blocks), church, school, outbuildings, brick mill, brewery, etc. The church – now, only remaining foundation stones – was the most ornate Samogitian sanctuary of that time. The corridor connected the church with the southern block (now, a surviving college building). In 1773, when Jesuits moved out of Kražiai, the buildings were abandoned and had many owners.
Reviews