All the charm of old Europe combined with magnificent picturesque landscapes, narrow streets and walls breathing history ... This is Vilnius. Lithuania is rightfully proud of its capital, which is also an important industrial and cultural center. For many centuries this city has been multinational. Traces of various cultures are intricately intertwined in it.
And in other respects it is interesting. Probably the largest “old city” in Europe (360 hectares, three times the size of Krakow) is Vilnius. Lithuania is doing everything possible to make its capital a center of creativity and intercultural dialogue.
Her artists are known throughout the Old Continent and throughout the world. In 2009, Vilnius - Lithuania, along with other states fought for this right - won the title of European Capital of Culture. After all, the historical heritage is harmoniously combined with modernity. According to tourists, residents of Vilnius are hospitable and cheerful people.
According to legend, the city was built by the local ruler on the prophetic dream of Gediminas. Although in reality this tradition deviates from the truth, because he only made the capital of his possessions from Vilnius. And the estate already existed in the eleventh century on Castle Hill. In the fourteenth century, the city was declared the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After the death of Gediminas, the lands were divided between his sons. Riots and civil strife continued until the Battle of Grunwald, in which the Teutonic Knights defeated the Union of Lithuanian and Polish.
Since then, the continuous development of the city continues. After the Great
Northern War, during the partition of Poland, Vilnius was annexed to Russia and became the center of the province. That is why the city is closely connected with Russian culture. Once again, Lithuania, as an independent state, declared Vilnius its capital in 1990.
Only the wealth of old architecture can compete with the beauty and brightness of the local wildlife. One of the largest concentrations of historical sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List is also Vilnius.
Lithuania, whose photo is primarily represented by its capital, takes care of the preservation and restoration of cultural monuments. Start your tour from the street leading to Gediminas Castle. The city of Vilnius (Lithuania) offers tourists a wonderful panorama - from the Hill of Three Crosses you can see all the beauty of the capital.
Vilnius is the only European capital located at the intersection of two ancient civilizations - Latin and Byzantine. The Lithuanian baroque school, the multinational spirit, the interweaving of different ethnic trends with the achievements of many cultures - this is what makes the capital of Lithuania the pearl of the Baltic region. It is worth visiting there and the old Cathedral, and the Church of Peter and Paul, and the Gediminas Tower, and the University, and cozy courtyards. You can also visit the Uzupis district, which resembles the Montmartre in Paris and focuses on the intellectual elite. And the gate of Aushros (or Dawn) is a real monument of Renaissance architecture, one of the main attractions of the city. You can experience the unique atmosphere and enjoy the panorama of Vilnius from the TV tower, the height of which is 165 meters.