Renaissance architectural monument St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral (till 1997. the church) is the most striking landmark of the city. The visitor is kind of directed to the city centre. The cathedral dominates both due to its impressive height (the apex of the tower reaches 70 m) and the convenient and well-chosen location. This is the merit of builders of the first wooden church of Šiauliai. M. Valančius stated that it was built in 1445 under the leadership of the elder of Samogitia Mykolas Kęsgaila. Little knowledge about it remained. The visitation act. dated 1629. says that it was wooden. old. decaying. and on its left a new brick church was being built. The construction of the new church began around 1617. It is considered that it was initiated by Samogitian bishop Mikalojus Pacas. while the key sponsor was the governor of Šiauliai economy Jeronimas Valavičius. Construction works were led by the dean of the church. the graduate of Vilnius Academy Petras Tarvainis.