Sightsees in Vilnius

Cathedral – Basilica (Katedros sq. 1)

One of the most famous architectural monuments is Vilnius Cathedral, a classicism building standing at the foot of Gediminas‘ Hill. It was built in 1387 on a place where the God of thunder (Perkūnas) was worshipped. It was reconstructed in 1801. After the Soviet takeover in the 1940s, the church was turned into an art gallery. It was converted back to a church in the late ’80s. Flanking the Cathedral is the distinct Bell Tower, one of the city’s leading landmarks and a favorite meeting place for local Lithuanians.

Gediminas Castle (Arsenalo st. 5)

The ancient legend about the foundation of the city says that Gediminas dreamt an iron wolf on a hill and a pagan priest Lizdeika explained the dream as God‘s will. The Gods wanted Gediminas to built a castle on this hill and a town would develop near this castle. The original wooden castle was built in the early 13th century by the founder of Vilnius city Grand Duke Gediminas. Since 1960, Gediminas Castle is being housed by the museum of the history of Lithuania. It is possible to get onto the top of the Gediminas Hill on foot or by funicular.

The Ensemble of St. Anne‘s and Bernardines‘ Churches (Maironio st. 8, 10)

St. Anne’s Church is one of the most beautiful and famous buildings in Vilnius. Lots of legends are dedicated to the church. Napoleon was so enamoured of the city that it is claimed that he wanted to take St. Anne's church home to Paris in the palm of his hand. The Church of St. Bernardines‘ is one of the biggest Gothic buildings in Lithuania. It is much higher and more archaic than the St Anne’s Church - together they form an interesting and unique pair.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Antakalnio st. 1)

This church was originally built in the 14th century, but was then rebuilt in Baroque splendor in the late 1600s. Although plain from the outside, from the inside this church is truly breathtaking. The walls from top to bottom are alive with frescos in animal and human forms — no two of them are exactly the same. The interior sculptures remained the same till nowadays.

Church of St. Michael (St.Mikalojaus st. 4)

St. Michael church is the only Renaissance style church in Vilnius and was built in 1594 – 1625 as Leonas Sapiega‘s family mausoleum. The interior of the church is very rich. The tombstone of Leonas Sapiega and both of his wives is located near the marble high altar. Since 1972 the Museum of Architecture has been operating in the church.

Presidential Palace (S.Daukanto sq. 3)

Adjacent to the University and surrounded by the chestnut trees, Daukanto square is amazing. The picturesque late Classicist palace was the residence of the bishops of Vilnius from the 14th century. Later, in the 18th century, it was taken over as a residence by the Russian Governor General of Vilnius. The French Emperior Napoleon I as well as the Russian Tsar Alexander, visited the palace, and the famous Russian commander and the Governor General of Lithuania Mikhail Kutuzov lived here. The palace acquired its present appearance at the beginning of the 19th century. The Presidency of Lithuanian Republic was established in the palace in 1997.

The Vilnius University (Universiteto st. 7)

The University of Vilnius, one of the oldest and most famous establishments of higher education in Eastern and Central Europe, was founded in 1579. Functioning for a long time as the only school of higher learning in Lithuania, it was a preserver of cultural and scientific traditions, and has played a significant part in the cultural life not only of Lithuania, but the neighboring countries as well. During more than four centuries of its existence, the University of Vilnius has seen periods of growth and decline, revival, and closure. The University is a unique witness to the history of the Lithuanian state. The University of Vilnius has 12 faculties, 8 institutes, 10 study and research centers, the oldest Library in Lithuania, 3 university hospitals, an Astronomical Observatory, a Botanical Garden, a Computer Center, and St. John's Church.

The Town hall (Rotušė; Didžioji st. 31)

The Town Hall was the central point in the life of the whole city and the nearby square was the place of executions, market places and public life. The current building was designed at the end of the 18th century by the famous architect Laurynas Stuoka – Gucevičius. Until 1924 the town theater operated in the Town Hall. Later the State Art Museum was moved there and in 1998 the Town hall was given back to the municipal government. Now it recalls its historic past: a place for city celebrations, the same as in many of the old Town Halls of Europe.

Vilnius Defence Wall Bastion (Bokšto st. 20/18)

The Bastion is an original renaissance defence building concisting of a tower, built in the defence wall of the City, underground gun premises, and a corridor between them, turning into a 48 metre-long tunnel. The Bastion was built in the first half of the 17th century. After its restoration, the defence fortifications and armoury collections have been exhibited there.

The Gates of Dawn (Aušros Gates; Aušros Vartų st. 12)

The Gates of Dawn, the only ones of ten defence wall gates remaining, were built in 1514. The Chapel of the Gates of Dawn houses the holy image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance paintings in Lithuania. It was painted at the beginning of the 17th century by the unknown artist.

St. John‘s Church (St.Jono st. 12)

St Johns’ Church is a magnificent 18th century creation where altars lit by the light coming from the windows are lined in crescent and stand at different height. The Church interior has distinct Gothic features. The great altar, a unique composition of ten smaller altars, has major significance – it is the only composition of this kind in Lithuania and the Baltic States. There are nine chapels in St Johns’ Church. The Church facade was designed by the Lithuanian architect Jonas Kristupas Glaubicas. At present besides services, the church hosts concerts and small-scale events and also houses a museum.

National Museum (The New Arsenal and The Old Arsenal; Arsenalo st. 1)

The Museum is established in the premises of the arsenal, whose north-western wall is the former defence wall of the castle. Fragments of numerous architectural styles can be found in the building: from its Gothic vaults to the Classical facade. It is the biggest and oldest source of national cultural heritage in the country, which systematically collects, stores, displays, and popularises the history of the state.

Genocide Victims museum (KGB museum; Aukų st. 2A/Gedimino av. 40)

It was founded in the very heart of Vilnius not far from Lukiškių Square, where in Soviet days KGB headquartes used to be. The exposition focuses on the KGB inner prison established in 1940 just after the USSR had occupied Lithuania. Today the prison is maintained as the KGB had left it when in August 1991 their activities in Lithuania were stopped. The horrifying reality of the Soviet days is reflected in the exposition of the former places of execution. Cells and punishment rooms are also open to public.

The Hill of Three Crosses

The legend says that in the 14th century, during the reign of the Duke Algirdas, pagans killed seven Franciscan monks, who had arrived to christen Lithuanians. The monks were thrown into the river. Hence the hill was called The Hill of Three Crosses. Concrete crosses built in 1916 were blown up in 1950 under the directions of Soviet ideologists. The present-day crosses were rebuilt in 1989.

Mindaugas Statue (in front of the National Museum)

On July 6, 2003, the holiday of the Crowning of Mindaugas, a sculpture and a bridge were unveiled both bearing the name of Mindaugas. The sculpture sort of faces the bridge that spans the Neris river, a not very attractive piece of gridiron but necessary to stem the ever-growing tide of traffic. The sculpture made of granite is fairly stylised and is perched on sloping slabs of polished stone which have become a new playground slide for kids.

Parks in Vilnius

Sereikiškės park lays in the heart of the city next to Cathedral Square. This was the former Botanical Garden which now offers views of the Vilnele River, tennis courts, walking paths and benches.

Vingio park is a big green area of paved pathways good for jogging and walking. Deep inside the park is a grandstand with a platform for song festivals and concerts. Bicycles and roller blades are for rent in the park.

Verkiai Regional park is a forested park removed from the centre. In the park on the scenic Neris River bluff is Verkiai Palace, the former stately Vilnius bishop's residence. The other attraction in the park is the Verkiai Calvary, established in the middle of the 17th century. A unique complex of Verkiai palace, Vilnius Kalvarijos, the complex of Kalvarijos - Trinapolis sacral objects are found there.

Pavilniai Regional park preserves the unique geological Puckoriai Promontory. It is one of the highest and most impressive Ice Age bluffs not only in the Vilnele Valley but in all of Lithuania. It is 65 m high and 260 m wide.

Kalnų park is on the other side of the river Vilnele from Sereikiškių Park. Many concerts and festivals are held here.

Vilnius TV Tower (Sausio 13-osios st. 10)

Like some fantastic UFO rising into the sky, the observation and dining levels of the Vilnius TV tower have become more than a landmark for this Baltic nation – they represent its struggle for freedom and independence. It was built in 1974-1980. Tower‘s height is 326 meters (1,071 feet). The observation deck, at an altitude of 160 meters, houses the cafe "Paukščių takas" ("Milky Way"), offering a picturesque view of the city and its surroundings, and sporting a rotating platform which revolves once every 45 minutes. High-speed lifts reach the cafe from ground level in 40 seconds. Bungee jumps are available to members of the public from the roof of the observation deck. During the Christmas season, the tower has been decorated as a huge Christmas tree since the year 2000.

Theaters in Vilnius

Lėlė puppet theater (Arklių st. 5). "Lėlė" means puppet or doll in the Lithuanian language. The Lėlė Theatre for children was founded in Vilnius in 1958. It's one of three professional puppet theatres of Lithuania. It occupies part of the building of the former Oginsky Palace in the Old City of Vilnius.

Lithuanian National Drama theater (Gedimino av. 4) was founded in 1940. The repertoire of the theatre consists of the world classic dramatic art and works of modern dramatists including Lithuanian authors. Works of Lithuanian famous directors and actors, masterpieces of world classics, uncommon decorations, and special atmosphere of creativity makes the National Drama Theatre very popular among the audience.

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet theater (A.Vienuolio st. 1) was founded in 1920 by the Society of Lithuanian Art. The first performance of the theatre, "La Traviata" by Verdi, took place on the stage on December 31, 1920.

Russian Drama theater (J.Basanavičiaus st. 13) is the only theater in Lithuania performing not only in Lithuanian language. The building of the theatre is among culture monuments under the patronage of the UNESCO. An outstanding actor of St. Petersburg Imperial Alexandrinsky Theater Pavel Vasiliev founded the first permanent troupe of the Russian Theater in Vilnius in 1864. It was a birthday of Russian Drama Theater.

Youth theater (Arklių st. 5) is situated in the center of Vilnius, in the building of the 18th century that used to be a mansion of rich Marshal of Lithuanian Grand Principality Ignas Oginsky. In the 19th century it housed the club for nobilities, and during World War II it was totally destroyed. After the war, the building was restored and given for the needs of the theater.