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Vilnius

Visit Vilnius

Vilnius is a city of white baroque walls and red clay roofs built at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. It is a vibrant and artistic hub for a Vilnius road trip because it boasts one of the largest and most intricate medieval old towns in Eastern Europe. You should explore the Literatų Street to see the small pieces of art and plaques embedded in the walls to honor the city’s poets and writers. The local culture is found in the Užupis district which is a neighborhood of artists that declared its own independence and created a constitution including rights like the right to be happy or to be unhappy. For a unique detail visit the Bastion of the Vilnius City Wall to see the sixteenth century fortifications and the panoramic view of the skyline.

The city is defined by the seven hills that surround the valley and provide multiple vantage points like the Hill of Three Crosses. You should walk through the Bernardine Garden which was established by monks in the 1400s and still features ancient oaks and a botanical display along the riverbank. For a specific local landmark find the Gate of Dawn which is the only surviving gate of the original city wall and contains a famous icon of the Virgin Mary that has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries. You can find the history of the twentieth century in the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights which is located in a former KGB building and preserves the cells and archives of the era.

Exiting the city toward the west involves getting onto the A1 highway which is the main artery connecting the capital to the Baltic coast. The road takes you through the Neris Regional Park where the river carves deep loops through the pine forests. The architecture shifts from the ornate baroque churches of the center to the wooden houses and lake fortresses of the Trakai region in less than half an hour. Vilnius is a city with the cultural soul of Lithuania.

Top sights to visit

  • Uzupis Art Republic Cross the bridge into this self declared independent district and read their constitution on the mirrored wall plaques. Find the bronze Angel of Uzupis in the central square and explore the many hidden art galleries in the courtyards. This area is the bohemian heart of the city, full of humor, art and a unique sense of freedom.
  • The Gate of Dawn Walk through the only surviving gate of the original walls of the city to see the miraculous golden icon of the Virgin Mary. Join the locals who gather in the street below to look up at the chapel window and pray. It is a place of intense spiritual energy and a beautiful piece of architecture from the sixteenth century.
  • Gediminas Tower Hill Take the funicular to the top of the hill to explore the brick tower that remains from the Upper Castle of the city from the fourteenth century. Stand on the observation deck for a stunning view of the red rooftops and the Vilnia River. This tower is the national symbol of Lithuania and the best place to understand the strategic history of the city.
  • Literatu Street Walls Walk this narrow alley to see over two hundred small pieces of art embedded in the walls to honor local poets. Take your time to find the different tributes to famous writers like Adam Mickiewicz. It is a unique, outdoor gallery that turns a simple street into a massive piece of literature.
  • Bernadine Garden Park Take the paths along the river to see the massive four hundred year old oaks and the musical fountain. Find the hidden monastery garden where monks once grew medicinal herbs. This park is a lush, quiet escape located just a few steps from the busy Cathedral Square.
  • The Three Crosses Hill Hike the wooden stairs up through the forest to reach the three massive white crosses that overlook the city. Time your hike for sunset to get a panoramic view of the spires of the Old Town glowing in the golden light. It is a place of deep historical and religious significance for Lithuanians.
  • The Pink Soup Mural Find the giant colorful mural dedicated to the traditional cold beet soup on a building near the market. Snap a photo of this playful tribute to the favorite summer dish of Lithuania. It is a fun, modern detail that perfectly captures the local pride in their traditional food.
  • Vilnius Cathedral Plaza Stand in the massive square to admire the white neoclassical cathedral and its separate bell tower. Look for the miracle tile in the pavement, step on it, and turn around three times to make a wish. This plaza is the symbolic heart of the nation and the site of its most important gatherings.
  • The KGB Museum Cells Take a somber tour of the former KGB headquarters to see the original prison cells and the execution chamber in the basement. Read the names of the victims scratched into the walls and look through the archives of the secret police. This museum is a powerful and necessary look at the struggle of the city under Soviet occupation.
  • St Annes Brick Church Stand in front of this gothic masterpiece to see the thirty three different shapes of clay bricks used to create its intricate facade. Legend says that Napoleon was so impressed by the church he wanted to take it back to Paris in the palm of his hand. It is one of the most beautiful and unique brick buildings in all of Europe.
  • Trakai Island Castle Drive thirty minutes west of Vilnius to see this red brick fortress sitting on an island in the middle of a lake. Walk across the long wooden bridge and explore the grand halls and defensive towers of the castle. This is the most iconic sight in Lithuania and a perfect half day trip for any traveler.
  • The Glass Quarter Wander the narrow, winding streets of the former Jewish artisans' quarter to find boutique shops and cozy cafes. Look up to see the seasonal decorations, such as hanging umbrellas or lanterns, that give the area a magical atmosphere. This is the most charming and intimate part of the Old Town in Vilnius.

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History of Vilnius

Vilnius is a city that feels like it was built by a dream. According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas fell asleep after a hunt and dreamed of an iron wolf howling on a hilltop, which a priest interpreted as a sign to build a capital that would be heard around the world. In the 14th century, Vilnius became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the largest state in Europe, stretching all the way to the Black Sea. It was a city of remarkable tolerance, where Jews, Muslims and Christians lived side by side for centuries.

The city is often called the Jerusalem of the North because of its historic role as a global center for Jewish culture and learning. However, the 20th century brought immense suffering; the Jewish population was nearly wiped out during the Holocaust, and the city was forcefully incorporated into the Soviet Union. The Lithuanians never stopped resisting, and in 1989, they formed the Baltic Way, a human chain of two million people stretching from Vilnius to Tallinn, which signaled the beginning of the end for the Soviet empire.

Vilnius today is a city of baroque beauty and bohemian spirit. The Old Town is one of the largest in Europe, a labyrinth of narrow streets and hidden courtyards that lead to dozens of ornate churches. The Uzupis district, a self-declared Republic of artists, gives the city a playful, rebellious energy that balances its somber history. Driving through Vilnius, you see a capital that is proud of its grand past but focused on a bright creative future, standing as a warm and welcoming heart of the Baltic.