9 hotspots you must visit in Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and a historic city that was designated as the European Capital of Culture by the European Union in 2009. With the largest and most spacious medieval old town of any city in Northern Europe, it is packed with cultural heritage that has stood the test of time. We’ve picked out a few of the most colorful sights in Vilnius, a charming mix of medieval and modern. From the gates that mark the beginning of the Old Town to the cafes and restaurants filled with colorful murals,. Here’s our itinerary to get the most out of this colorful city.
Gate of Dawn
Vilnius: The Women of Vilnius 2-Hour Tour
The Gate of Dawn is the most historic place in Vilnius, a city gate built in the colorful Renaissance style. It is the only one of the nine gates that once surrounded the Old Town of Vilnius that has been preserved in its original form. Below is an arched gateway, but above is a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, making it an integral part of Catholic pilgrimages. The Gate of Dawn is notable not only for its religious significance but also for its architectural beauty. The light blue walls are brightly colored with golden ornaments and white columns. Take a photo of yourself with the beautiful Gate of Dawn in the background. It’s recommended to keep your subject far enough away to get a full view of the church and cross at the top of the gate.
Holy Spirit Orthodox Church
Vilnius: The Women of Vilnius 2-Hour Tour
A two-minute walk through the Dawn Gate and a maze of brick paths will take you to the pretty pink church, the Holy Spirit Church of Vilnius. It’s a rare sight to see a pink church in my country, and while it’s beautiful from the outside, it’s not until you step inside that you realize its true charm. The bold use of vivid green color against the pink exterior gives it a unique charm. The magnificent green chapel sparkles in the light from the windows in the pink dome, so it’s best to visit during the day. The colorful baroque decorations and murals make it feel less like a church and more like a glimpse into a nobleman’s palace. It’s worth taking two photos here, one from the outside and one from the inside. From the outside, you can get a full view of the church’s exterior, or you can get up close and have the pink walls as a backdrop. Inside, I recommend taking a photo in front of the entrance to get a good view of the green interior. Keep in mind that you can’t sit inside the church. Due to the influence of Russian architecture and religion, there are no pews inside, as worship is done standing.
St. John the Baptist and Evangelist Church
The Old Town of Vilnius: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Located on the campus of Vilnius University, St. John’s Church is both a church with beautiful and colorful altarpieces and murals and a museum with thousands of religious artworks. It is a very important place for Vilnius residents and university students, as it hosts a variety of events, including thesis presentations, services, graduation ceremonies, and concerts. The church bell tower is the tallest building in the Old Town of Vilnius, and you can take the elevator or climb the 193 steps to get a great view of the city. In the exhibition hall below the bell tower, you can also see Lithuania’s only Foucault pendulum, which records the rotation of the earth on its axis. It’s worth noting that the spire’s observation deck is closed during the winter months.
Vilnius Cathedral
Private Walking Tour in Vilnius
Vilnius Cathedral is the oldest church in Lithuania, with a rich history spanning over 600 years and is the main landmark of the Old Town. The bell tower is located right next to the cathedral. Many travelers don’t know that you can enjoy the view of the Old Town from the top of the bell tower. At 57 meters high, it’s about the same height as 20 floors of an apartment building, so you can get a bird’s-eye view of the Old Town. The bell rings every day at 5pm, so if you want to hear the bell, you can go at that time.
After stopping by the bell tower, take a walk around Cathedral Square in front of the bell tower. Cathedral Square is a space with a painful history of invasions. Cathedral Square is the starting point of the Baltic Way, a UNESCO-listed peaceful protest. The history of the Baltic Way is that on August 23, 1989, two million citizens of the three Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia gathered to form a 675-kilometer human chain called the “Baltic Way” to demand independence.
Hilary Raduszkiewicz’s Palace
Here you will find a palace that combines magnificent Baroque style with modern glass architecture. This is the Hilary Raduszkiewicz Palace. This palace is a secret among tourists, and its lack of crowds means you can take in the beautiful architecture at your leisure. The palace is named after Hilarius Raduskevicius, a prominent 19th-century Vilnius physician. The palace is an elegant and marvelous mix of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance styles in brick. The most spectacular part of the palace is the balcony facing the Neris River, where you can see the elegant neo-Gothic architecture. The interior was heavily damaged during World War II and has since been restored with modern materials such as concrete and glass. The result is a modern work of art that is a cross between Gothic, Renaissance, and modern architectural styles, reinterpreting a classic work of art from each generation. The Hilarius Radushkevich Palace crosses generations, depending on how you look at it. If you’re looking for something different from the usual tourist attractions, it’s definitely worth a visit.
St. Anne’s Church
Architectural Vilnius: Private Tour with a Local Expert
St. Anne’s Church is over 500 years old. It’s so beautiful that French Emperor Napoleon I is said to have held it in the palm of his hand and wanted to move it to Paris. Its perfectly symmetrical façade, ornate columns, and red bricks make it stand out. It’s said that 33 different types of bricks were used to build the cathedral, so take a closer look and try to spot the differences.
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Though dwarfed somewhat by Vilnius’ towering Bernardine Church, St. Anne’s Church remains an architectural gem known for its rose windows, ornate spires, and late-Gothic design. Centrally located in the Old Town, the church’s facade is its draw; the humble interior is quick to see, so it’s an ideal stop on a walking tour.
Hill of Three Crosses
Just a short walk up from Bernadine Garden, you’ll see a pure white cross standing tall on a hill. This space was originally created to honor the martyred monks of Vilnius. It is located on a hill and is now used as an observation deck. The Three Crosses Hill is the best place to see the whole of Vilnius. It’s also perfect for taking panoramic photos, as you can see in all directions.
However, it’s a bit high up, so you’ll have to walk a bit to get to the top. If you don’t feel comfortable walking on the stone path, you can take the monorail to and from the top.
Gediminas Castle Tower
Gediminas Castle Tower Tour
Gediminas Castle was first built by the Duke of Gediminas after he moved his capital to Vilnius.
Gediminas Castle Tower (Lithuanian: Gedimino piles bokstas) is called Gediminas Tower.
It was originally part of the Upper Castle, a wooden structure built on top of Gediminas Hill in the 14th century.
The Gediminas Tower is 40 meters high and 160 meters long, making it one of the most recognizable and iconic landmarks in Vilnius. According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania built the wooden castle because of a dream. In his dream, Gediminas saw a wolf howling at the top of the highest hill in the area, and a dream interpreter told him that the dream meant that a large city would be built on the hill, so he built the tower and the city became Vilnius.
Today, if you climb Gediminas Hill, you can see the three-story Gediminas Castle Tower, which houses a historical museum, and some ruins of the two-story Gediminas Upper Castle.
Uzupis Republic
Vilnius Old Town and Užupis Republic – Private Walking Tour
Uzupis is a unique town and country created by a group of artists. It’s a lie that only becomes an official country one day a year, on April 1, April Fool’s Day, complete with checkpoints. From its borders, which are roughly shaped like a circle of land hugged by the Vilnia River, to the art galleries large and small that line the streets of Uzupis,. Every inch of the country has an artistic soul. You can walk everywhere you want, but I recommend visiting these three places. First up is the statue of an angel in the center of Uspice. The lively statue is shaped like a trumpet blowing and is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and other shops, creating a small, bustling neighborhood. The second is a street with the full text of the Constitution of the State of Space and Peace. It’s translated into languages from around the world, so it’s worth a visit to find your own language. Lastly, there’s the Space Peace Post Office, where you can buy Space Peace postcards and stamps. If you want to collect stamps and stationery from this mirage-like country that can’t be found anywhere else in the world, this is the place to go.
