City tour Vilnius Cathedral Vilnius University Town Hall St. Anne's Church St. Theresa's Church

St. Philip and Jacob's Church President's Palace Church of Holy Spirit Gates of Dawn Gediminas Castle

The ancient capital Vilnius is a zest of Lithuania travel. This is a city with great history. Nowadays Vilnius is also an amazing place for leisure tourism, sightseeing as well as for business traveling. The modern culture of this city fully reflects the diversity of its life. Nowadays Vilnius plays the same great role in cultural life of Eastern Europe as it used to in Medieval Times.

The Old Town, historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). The most valuable historic and cultural heritage is concentrated here. The buildings in the old town - there are about 1.5 thousand of them - were built in a number of different centuries, therefore, it is a mixture of all European architectural styles. Although Vilnius is often called a baroque city, here you will find some buildings of gothic, renaissance and other styles. The main sights of the city are the Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square, symbols of the capital. Their combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the capital. Because of its uniqueness, the Old.

Vilnius is a very green city, which lies in a valley surrounded by hills at the confluence of the rivers Vilnius and Neris. Twenty-eight bridges spanning the rivers unite the various parts of the city.

City tour

Vilnius was first mentioned as the capital of Lithuania by Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, in 1323. The history of Vilnius is stormy and turbulent. There are lots to see in Vilnius. First of all the medieval streets of the Old Town and the beautiful parks and churches. Walking in the narrow medieval streets of the Old Town, you can see much of the architecture, which gave Vilnius its name as a Baroque city. One of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the Old Town is the 18th-century gate of the former Bazilijonu Monastery. Nearby is a fascinating group of old houses dating from four different periods.

Passing by the Gothic brick Gediminas Castle. Built over the 14th and 16th centuries, destroyed in the 18th century and now partly restored. The western Gediminas Tower offers a spectacular view of the entire city, as well as the remains of the upper castle. At the foot of Gediminas Hill is the fine classical Vilnius Cathedral, first built in the 13th century by Mindaugas, Lithuania's first king, and though later rebuilt in many different architectural styles, the original 13th century design can be seen in the belfry. In continuation you'll get a chance to see the Gates of Dawn with a magnificent chapel housing a holy image of St. Mary, The University cradle of Lithuanian intelligentsia, the 16th century's Gothic masterpiece St. Ann's Church, and finally the authentic St. Peter & Paul's Church.

Vilnius Cathedral

Once the site of a pagan monument, the first Christian church was thought to have been built here in 1251 by Grand Duke Mindaugas. The current construction dates back as far as 1419, but has suffered several fires and has gone through major reconstructions and renovations. Much of what is seen now was created between 1769 and 1820 by the architect Stuoka-Gucevičius in the French-classicist style. The Cathedral was closed by the Soviets in 1950 and used as a picture gallery. It was returned to the Catholic church in 1990.

Highlights include its eleven chapels, in particular the High Baroque Chapel of St. Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania. Built in 1636 to house the sarcophagus of the saint it is one of the national treasures of the country. The freestanding bell tower was donated six new bells in 2002, ‘baptised’ by cardinal Audrys Juozas Bačkis in a special ceremony before they were hung.

Vilnius University

The Vilnius University is one of the oldest and most famous universities in Eastern Europe. For more than four centuries it has been the leading cultural and scientific center in Lithuania. The date of the University foundation is considered to be 1579 when the Jesuit College, established in 1570, was transformed into the University.

Town Hall

First mentioned in 1503, the Town Hall most likely dates from the 15th century, while the present Classical structure was built at the end of the 18th century. In 1810 the governor general ordered that the Town Hall housed a theatre, which gave performances on and off until 1924. Since then its interior has been a museum. Until the reestablishment of independence in 1991, it served as the Lithuanian Art Museum. Today it's the Artists' Palace where you can see gallery art.

St. Anne's Church

St. Anne's Church is the most beloved example of Gothic architecture in Vilnius. Behind it lies the Bernardine Church. Both dated to the 16th century.. Thirty-three different types of bricks were used in the facade. The church is actually such a beauty that Napoleon himself, on one of his conquest campaigns in this part of Europe, wished that he could take it back to Paris with him 'in the palm of his hands.

St. Theresa's Church

One of the most perfect early baroque buildings of Vilnius is the graceful and tall St. Theresa's Church. It was built during 1633 - 1650 at the initiative of Deputy Chancellor Steponas Pacas and at his expense.

St. Philip and Jacob's Church

The two-tower, baroque Church of St. Philip and St. James and the Dominican monastery are located near Lukiškės Square on the site of a former graveyard. A wooden church was built at this location in 1624 and the present building has survived from the end of the 17th century.

President's Palace

Church of Holy Spirit

Built in the 14th century on the site of converging trade routes and recently renovated, the icons and decorations are now brlliant. See the well-preserved bodies of the martyred Saints Anthony, Ivan and Eustachius, who are clothed in white during the Christmas period, black during Lent and red on all other occasions bar each June 26, when they are displayed naked. It is reported that on this day at this place a huge healing presence is felt.

Gates of Dawn

The 16th century Gates of Dawn originally formed part of the town fortifications, being built into the original city wall. In 1671 Carmelites from neighbouring St. Theresa's built a chapel in the gates to house a holy image of the Virgin Mary, reputed for miracle-working powers. The chapel's interior was refurbished in the neo-classical style in 1829 and should not be missed. If you're walking from Old Town, look for a door on the left and go up the stairs.

Gediminas Castle

The history of the castle is closely connected with the formation of the city. According to the legend found in the Chronicle of Lithuania, the castle on the Castle Hill was founded by Grand Duke of Lithuania. From the top of the tower you can enjoy the marvelous panorama of Vilnius.