In the 14th century, a stone castle was built at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers to resist Crusaders’ attacks. It was the first stone castle in Lithuania which played a significant role in the city's defence system. Kaunas Castle is a Gothic building with two rows of protective walls and is the only castle of this type in Lithuania.
It ranks among the most beautiful Baroque-style buildings in Lithuania. The church and monastery were built for Camaldolese (Benedictine) monks in the 17th century under the supervision of Italian masters from Florence (Michelangelo Palloni, Joan Merli, and Pietro Perti). Pažaislis music festivals are held here in summer.
The church was constructed in late Baroque style in the early 18th century. In 1787, the church was given to the Order of Franciscan Monks, later it served as an Orthodox Church, as A. Nevsky's Cathedral and as a technical college. In 1990, the Church was returned to the Jesuit community, who opened a Jesuit gymnasium in the former college building.