Pac family residence in Jieznas : another lost Versailles of Lithuania

ENJieznas Town is located in southern Lithuania alongside the old Merkinė-Rumšiškės Road and contains historical ties to Pac family. The Pac family gained political importance during the second half of the seventeenth century. The Grand Duchy's Vice Chancellor Stephan Pac acquired Jieznas Manor in 1633 and erected a residence for his family there. The most distinguished monument this Lithuanian nobleman bequethed is St. Theresa's Churh in Vilnius. Though there is very little knowledge about the earlier manors Pac had built in Jieznas because of the lack of archeological research, it is possible that the second period of manor constructions should be linked to another person - Casimir Sigismud Pac who contributed considerably to renewing the palace while he was building another structure in Pažaislis. Completion of Jieznas Church construction was also due to his efforts. The rebirth of Jieznas Manor estate associates with the activities of Anthony Michael Pac, Senior Scribe of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Colonel of the Duchy's Army and holder of the White Eagle during the latter half of the eighteent century.The possibility of constructing a huge residency arose due to his marriage to a daughter of the Radvila (Radziwiłł) family, Teresė Barbora in 1745. The Jieznas Church was newly adorned along with the manor's expansion. Its main facade was rebuilt, and decorative towers were added. The building of the manor estate were still very impressive in the mid-nineteenth century as witnessed by writings of Stanisław Morawski. It should be admitted, however, that the present shape of the buildings is poor and despite survival of some manor fragments, the Jieznas Manor Estate no longer exists in the consciousness of its residents. [From the publication]