Kauno miestietės Daratos Nabienės votas Kaunakiemiui: Šv. Kryžiaus bažnyčios fundacija
A Votum of Kaunas Resident Darata Nabienė to Kaunakiemis: The Foundation of the Church of St. Cross

Summary/Abstract: The present article comprehensively analyses the documents of foundation of the Church of St. Cross and building history for the first time in historiography. It contains the letter of Kaunas Magistrate from August 11, 1515, which confirms the foundation of Darata Nabienė, and the earliest extant visitation of the church in January, 1669. A careful analysis of the manuscript documents has determined that the first church in Kaunakiemis built between 1510 and 1515 was brick; most probably it was Gothic and built from red bricks (similar to St. Gertrude’s Church, which has survived to the present day). This way, the dominant tradition in historiography to view it as wooden is denied. In general, it has been observed that the foundation of the Church of St. Cross represents the development of Kaunas City, the financial capacity of residents, soul-leading practices of believers, and piety to St. Cross. The case under the present investigation has revealed that Kaunas female resident could independently come to Kaunas City Hall, talk to the burgomasters and assessors, and make the church foundation. This suggests about women’s rights in Kaunas at the beginning of the 16th century. The foundation of the Church of St. Cross represents the trend of numerous building and foundation of churches in the Grand Duchy of Lithuanian at the end of the 15th century and at the beginning of the 16th century.

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