The Cathedral square / Katedros aikštė

Where else should you start exploring the town than on the main square? Although it usually isn’t the liveliest part of Vilnius, military parades, religious as well as official public events or New Year’s celebrations are held here. Till the 19th century the square was densely populated and built-up with medieval houses. However, during the restoration of the Cathedral the area was transformed into the square, part of which was taken by the Lower Castle.

The Vilnius Cathedral / Vilniaus Šv. Stanislovo ir Šv. Vladislovo arkikatedra bazilik

The Vilnius Cathedral represents the main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania. It is believed that in the pre-Christian times, the Baltic Pagan god of thunder Perkūnas was worshiped in this location. The Lithuanian King Mindaugas built the original cathedral in 1251 after his conversion to Christianity. After his death it again became a place of Pagan worship. In 1387, the year in which Lithuania was officially converted to Christianity, a second Gothic style Cathedral with five chapels was built. During the restoration of the Cathedral, the presumed altars of an alleged Pagan temple and the original floor were discovered. A fresco dating from the end of the 14th century - the oldest known fresco in Lithuania - was found on the wall of one of the underground chapels. The coronations of some of the Dukes of Lithuania took place there and many of them are buried there as well.

Because of the frequent fires and wars, Vilnius Cathedral was rebuilt many times. In 1950, it was closed by the Soviets and used as a warehouse. In 1990 the Cathedral was returned to the Catholic Church. In 2002 work officially began to rebuild the Lithuanian Royal Palace, which used to be a part of the great Vilnius Castle, located behind the Cathedral. The newly erected palace building will considerably alter the view of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral’s Bell Tower

Just opposite the Cathedral tourists may spot another famous Vilnius’s point of interest – the Cathedral’s Bell Tower. According to many scholars, the tower was in fact one of the towers of the ancient city walls of the medieval Lower Castle that once stood near the modern square. According to another version, which is, however, not supported by modern historians, the base of the tower was in fact a small pagan temple, demolished and then turned into the bell tower. Regardless of its origins, the lower parts of the tower are medieval, with several small loop-holes preserved. Its oldest underground part dates from the 13th century; the other parts were added during the 18th and 19th century.

Gediminas monument

Another notable feature of the Square is the monument to Gediminas, one of the first rulers of Lithuania, by Vytautas Kašuba. Interestingly, the bronze used for the monument was donated by Lithuanian border guards who confiscated it in the border area. The marble footstall was a gift of the government of Ukraine, while the sculpture itself was cast free of charge in Tallinn.

There is a legend connected to Gediminas about the establishment of the town. Once upon a time Gediminas was hunting in the holy woods of the Valley of Šventaragis. Tired after the hunt the Grand Duke settled for night there. He fell asleep and had a dream. A huge iron wolf was standing on top a hill and the sound of hundreds of other wolves inside it filled all surrounding fields and woods. On wakeup, the Duke asked the pagan priest Lizdeika to reveal the secret of the dream. And he told: "What is destined for the ruler and the state of Lithuania, let it be: the iron wolf means a castle and a town which will be established by the ruler on this site. The town will be the capital of the Lithuanian lands and the dwelling of rulers and the glory of their deeds shall echo throughout the world".

The Castle Hill and Gediminas Tower / Bekešo kalva

Just behind the Cathedral square you can see the Castle Hill - sometimes also called the Gediminas hill. This is a place, where the Upper Castle used to be situated. Nowadays nevertheless the only remaining part is this place is the Gediminas Tower.

The original wooden castle was built in the early 13th century. After Vilnius became the capital of Lithuania, the wooden castle was reinforced with brick walls. The current stone building was erected in 1419. The Duke’s castle ended up being used as a prison 200 years after. The castle was heavily damaged by the Russian troops in the 17th century. The restoration works, however, started in 1930 and since 1960 Gediminas Castle has housed a museum of the Lithuanian history.

At the top of the tower one can find an observation platform, affording spectacular panoramic views of Vilnius. The first floor of the tower displays models of the ancient Vilnius and the Castle Complex as well as the exhibition of photographs taken in Vilnius during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The second floor exhibits flags that were used by the Vytautas Great army during the Battle of Grunwald, along with authentic weaponry being used from 13th all the way to the 18th century. Other surviving buildings of the Castle Complex house offices of the National Museum of Lithuania with archeology and numismatics departments as well as the Museum of Applied Art. The museum contains about one million artifacts, covering a wide historical spectrum. Its collection includes pieces from Lithuania's prehistoric era, coins used throughout Lithuania's history, and a wide variety of artifacts dating from the middle Ages and later. The Tower is accessible either by feet or by funicular.

Hill of Three Crosses / Trijų Kryžių kalva

If you like climbing hills this place will definitely astonish you, for the magnificent view it offers. You can spot it easily, because of the three huge white crosses on its top. It is a memorial place to the sad story of seven Franciscan monks, who were brought up the hill and tied up by pagans, who then threw the monks down to the river Vilnele saying: ‘Swim with the idol you order us to worship’. This legend is a sign of religious intolerance, which seems to be connected to this place. During the occupation by the Soviets the crosses were demolished. To get to the hill, walk or drive eastwards along the southern bank of the Neris River, cross the bridge over the Vilia River to enter Kalnu Park (Parkas). There is a marked trail from Kalnu Park up to the top of the Hill of Three Crosses.

The Town Hall square / Vilniaus rotušė aikštė

The Town Hall square is the second largest square in Vilnius and the most important building situated there is the Town Hall (found in the upper part of the square). In the past executions, markets, celebrations as well as other “spectacular” events took place here. Nowadays you can find exhibitions in the Town Hall, as well as the Tourist Information center, which is very useful.

The University of Vilnius

The University of Vilnius is one of the oldest universities in Europe founded in 1579. It is also an architectural masterpiece of many various styles – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist. There are thirteen cosy courtyards, arcades with decorative metal gates, galleries, an old astronomical observatory and memorial plaques.

The area of the University was once a Jesuit college which was later transformed into the University. In 1773, the Jesuit order was dissolved in Europe and the University was taken over by the secular authority.

The Gate of Dawn / Aušros Vartai

The Gate of Dawn was once a part of the old fortification built in the 16th century. It is the only preserved one of the nine gates, probably – as legend says – thanks for Saint Mary – the white Madonna, who protects it from any enemy.

It is a place of a great religious importance, not only in Vilnius, but in the whole Lithuania and groups of pilgrims are very likely to be seen there. The local chapel was originally built of wood, but after the fire in 1715 it was replaced by a stone one. Pilgrims come here to worship Madonna, ask her for favours and thank for graces. They usually leave votives, which cover the walls of the chapel. In the past the inscriptions on the facade were in Polish, but the tsar governor ordered to change it into Latin 'Mater Misericordia' Nowadays, the Gate of Dawn is the first place the Poles come to when visiting Vilnius. The crowd is sometimes so big that it takes a long time to even enter the chapel, as everyone wants to get as close to the Picture as possible.

Even if you are not religious and therefore not interested in the Picture, you may admire the baroque facade from one side and the Renaissance fresco from the other. The Gate of Dawn is situated at the southeastern end of the Old town, on the way to the railway station. When reaching the Gate from the Old town, the little chapel with the shrine can be visited through a door on the left side.

Uzupis district / Užupio rajonas

Uzupis is a district on the other bank of the river Vilnele. It is called "Montmartre of Vilnius", because you always feel special there and therefore it is referred to as an artist’s area. It was mentioned as early as the 15th century and was mainly inhabited by craftsmen, particularly weavers and since the 19th century by minor officials. In the Soviet period young artists took this desolated suburb and are now trying to turn it into Montmartre of Vilnius.

Uzupis declared it a republic in 1997! It is now governed by artists and like-minded people. There's a "border" sign and a constitution plaque, and everything seems to be quite serious at first sight. Looking closer, however, you'll see that there's also a lot of fun included. Here are some of the statements of Uzupis' constitution:

• Everybody has the right to live by the River Vilnele and the River Vilnele has the right to flow by everyone.
• Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.
• Everyone has the right to love and take care of the cat.
• Sometimes everyone has the right to be unaware of their duties.
• Everyone has the right to understand nothing.

The constitution can be found on a wall in central Uzupis nearby the main square with the statue of the angel, which symbolizes the artistic freedom of Uzupis. Articles are written in Lithuanian, English and French.

Uzupis is an ideal neighborhood to just walk around. It has the atmosphere of a town and suddenly, when you turn round the corner, you feel as if you were in a small village. It's not too big and easily reached. When walking through Uzupis make sure to look into one of the backyards - that's where the quarter's real spirit is found. Dilapidated wooden houses with exfoliating paint, laundry drying in the sun between old trees and cats sitting on walls...