Vilnius interesting places. Lithuanian State Jewish Museum. Sights of Vilnius and surroundings with photos and descriptions

There are cities in Europe that are bright, brilliant and noisy, and there are cities like Vilnius - at first glance, modest, inconspicuous, but with a special atmosphere, interesting history and their own secrets. The tourist route here is not limited to a small area of ​​the traditional Old Town. It leads further - to the bohemian district of Uzupis, in the fortress of the heyday of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and magnificent baroque churches.

Vilnius was a prosperous city already in the 15th-16th centuries. Markets were noisy here, missionaries of Catholic orders were preaching, and princes were administering state affairs. Many architectural monuments have survived from those times, and each of them can tell its own unique story.

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What to see and where to go in Vilnius?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and a short description.

The streets and squares of the Old Town are the place where the history of Vilnius began. Temples, souvenir shops, restaurants are hidden in the depths of the medieval quarters. The main attractions of the Lithuanian capital are concentrated here. The historical centers of the cities of Northern Europe are somewhat similar to each other, but each has its own characteristics, so a walk through the old part of Vilnius will bring real pleasure tourists.

The tower is located on the Castle Hill and rises almost 50 meters above the city. The building is considered one of the symbols of the Lithuanian capital. Gediminas' Tower is the remains of Upper Castle XIV-XV centuries. Inside there is a branch of the Lithuanian National Museum, where you can learn many interesting facts from the history of the city.

One of the main attractions of Vilnius, a historical monument and a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the Baltics. The sharp gate (another name is the gate of Aushros) is a preserved part of the city wall with a chapel, which houses an important Christian shrine - the image of the Mother of God. The gate was erected at the beginning of the 16th century, in 1671 a wooden chapel appeared, later rebuilt from stone.

The building of the city administration, executed in a rather modest classical manner. In the 19th century, concerts, balls, ceremonial receptions and performances were held here. The building is mentioned in the records of the 16th century, but at that time it looked more like the Gothic buildings of Northern Europe. The Town Hall stands on one of the oldest squares in Vilnius. Town Hall Square is surrounded historical Buildings and medieval streets.

The central street of Vilnius, which connects the four main squares of the capital: Lukishskaya, Municipality, Independence and Cathedral. The avenue was built in the middle of the 19th century, during the Soviet era it was named after Stalin and Lenin, then it was renamed in honor of Prince Gedemin. Mainly administrative and government offices are located on the street.

The most old street Vilnius, which passes through the whole city in the direction of Moscow. Kings, foreign guests and state ambassadors, as well as a traveling circus and touring musicians, entered the city along it. Pilies Street is small - only 500 meters long, but this small square houses many attractions. There are galleries, shops, museums and historical buildings.

The official residence of the President of Lithuania, which used to house the higher clergy of Vilnius. The building was built at the end of the 18th century according to the project of L. Gucevičius in architectural style late classic. After Lithuania fell under the protectorate Russian Empire, the office of the Russian governor settled in the palace. It was visited by Russian, Polish and Prussian monarchs.

The oldest university in Eastern Europe. It taught many famous people: poets Juliusz Slovatsky and Adam Mickiewicz, astronomer Igor Gavrilov and others. The complex of university buildings is a mixture of Gothic, Classicism, Baroque and Renaissance. There is an old library on the territory, Botanical Garden and a Catholic church. All these places can be visited with a guided tour.

The complex is located in the Old Town on Vilniaus street. It is sometimes called the “Lithuanian Louvre”, as it houses an art museum where masterpieces of European art are exhibited. visual arts. The palace was built in the late Renaissance style. It belonged to the most noble family of the Principality of Lithuania - the Radziwills. This family was one of the very first in the state to receive the title.

The royal residence of the rulers of the Lithuanian state. The complex was first built Castle Hill in the 15th century, but years of devastating wars almost wiped it off the face of the earth. The palace was restored in the 2000s. in its historical appearance, a museum was opened on its territory. It was the largest restoration project on a national scale, as it was associated with the revival of the statehood of Lithuania.

The main Catholic cathedral in Vilnius has the status of a "minor basilica" granted by the Vatican. The temple is located in the city center next to the Castle Hill. On the territory of the cathedral, the coronations of Lithuanian rulers took place, starting with Prince Vitovt. The architectural ensemble of the temple resembles the Greek pantheon; a powerful octagonal bell tower with a clock stands out against its background. It is assumed that earlier there was an altar of the pagan god of thunder Perkunas.

A picturesque gothic temple that adorns the Lithuanian capital with its flying and graceful architecture. First wooden building The church was built in the XIV century, subsequently it was destroyed and rebuilt more than once. At the beginning of the 19th century, the temple was declared historical monument. Nearby is the Bernardine Church of St. Francis of Asia, founded by the Franciscans in the 15th century. It is made in the Lithuanian Gothic architectural style.

An architectural monument in the Lithuanian Baroque style. In the place of the temple in the pagan era there was a sanctuary of the goddess Milda. The Christian temple was founded on this site by the will of the Grand Duke Jagiello, the founder of the Jagiellonian dynasty. The modern building of the church was erected in the 17th century at the expense of the local magnate Kazimir Pac. The interior of the temple is distinguished by grace and beauty.

The late Baroque church was built between the 17th and 19th centuries. The church belonged to the Benedictine order. In Soviet times, there was a warehouse on its territory, so the building fell into severe disrepair. After the formation of an independent Lithuanian state, large-scale restoration work began to restore the historical appearance of the temple. Today, the Church of St. Catherine Cultural Center Vilnius.

The church is an architectural monument in the early baroque style. The facade of the temple is decorated with decorative elements that give the building an elegant and festive look. The church dome is crowned with a crown - a copy of the royal crown of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. The church is named after the canonized representative of the Jagiellonian dynasty, Casimir, who is considered the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.

Temple located on the territory of Vilnius University. It was built in the 15th century, the work continued for more than 40 years. Since the 16th century, the church has belonged to the Jesuit order. The building is crowned with a bell tower 68 meters high. On the territory of the temple, not only worship services were held, but also student protests, honoring kings, and theatrical performances.

Church at the Orthodox monastery, main cathedral Lithuanian Orthodox Church. At the end of the 16th century, a wooden church stood here, built at the expense of the wives of the Smolensk and Brest governors. After the adoption of the union, this temple remained the only Orthodox monastery on the territory of Vilna. At the beginning of the 18th century, Swedish troops destroyed the church, but it was restored thanks to Peter I. In the middle of the 18th century, the temple burned down, but was revived again.

The museum exposition was founded in the middle of the 19th century by the famous cultural figure E. Tyszkiewicz. By the end of the century, more than 15 thousand exhibits had already been collected in the funds. During numerous wars and redistribution of the territory of Lithuania, the main part of the collection came to Moscow. In the period between the two World Wars, almost the entire exposition had to be reassembled.

The museum complex includes several main branches: National art Gallery, Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts, Vilnius Art Gallery and the Radziwill Palace. As well as branches in other cities of Lithuania. Each branch and department has its own interesting exposition and functions as an independent museum.

Museum located in the former buildings of the NKVD and the KGB. It is known that each European country of the former Socialist bloc has its own museum, exposing the period when the state was under the rule of the USSR or in allied relations with it. Vilnius is no exception - the museum displays materials that testify to repression and persecution of dissidents. There is also an extensive outreach activity.

Religious monument located in the city park on Bald Mountain. It is very symbolic for Lithuania. The monument was erected in honor of the Franciscan monks who accepted death from the pagans (this version has not been confirmed, there is only a legend). The first wooden crosses were erected at the beginning of the 17th century, then in 1740, 1916 and 1989. they were rebuilt from stone.

The TV tower is the center of Lithuanian radio and TV broadcasting. The construction is located on the territory of a residential area, reaches a height of 326.5 meters. Inside there is a panoramic restaurant, from where, in good weather, you can see the surroundings of Vilnius for tens of kilometers around. The TV tower was erected in the 1980s and is still the tallest structure in Lithuania.

One of the oldest quarters of Vilnius, where creative and outrageous people prefer to settle. Since the 16th century, the city's poor, artisans, the working class and the poorest citizens have lived here. After the collapse of the USSR in the 90s. it was scary even to look at the territory of Užupis. Over time, dilapidated and empty buildings were chosen by artists, poets, actors, musicians, so the area has changed. Now it is poetically called "Republic of Užupis".

The park is located outside Vilnius in the geographical center of Europe. It is a museum complex open sky, where dozens are displayed sculptural compositions. Masters from different countries. The park covers an area of ​​55 hectares. In order to view the entire collection of sculptures, you need to travel by bicycle.

At the beginning of the XIV century, Trakai was the capital of the Lithuanian principality. The grandiose and powerful princely castle reminds of those times. The building stands on an island, surrounded by incredibly beautiful natural landscapes. The castle was built in the medieval Romanesque style, the fortress walls are 3.5 meters thick, and the harsh outlines of the towers remind of the past power of the Lithuanian lands.

Sights of Vilnius

There are a lot of sights in Vilnius, you can’t get around everything in a few days. Those that will be discussed in this article do not claim to be the best or most interesting, here are the places that we liked the most, for which reasons we will tell in this article. We offer you to immediately get acquainted with the entire list of attractions.

• Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and the National Museum of Lithuania
• Tower (castle) of Gediminas and Three Crosses
• Botanical Garden of J.E. Geliber and Gediminas Avenue
• Vilnius University and St. John's Church
• Presidential Palace and Church of the Holy Cross
• Literatu Street and Church of St. Michael
• Piles Street and Pyatnitskaya Church
• City Hall and Town Hall Square
• Church of St. Casimir and Basilian Gate
• Holy Spirit Church and Roman Catholic Church of St. Teresa
• Aushros Gate (Sharp gate)
• Hales Turgus Market and Sculpture Easter Egg
• Church of All Saints and Choral Synagogue

In order to make it convenient to navigate where all these sights are located and how it is more convenient to get to them, at the bottom of the article there is a map on which marks with coordinates are marked.

What to see in Vilnius – 1st day

We propose to start the first route in Vilnius from the Cathedral Square - the center of modern Vilnius, on which the Cathedral of St. Stanislav and Vladislav and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania are located. Let's look at the National Museum of Lithuania and climb to the main attraction - the Gediminas' Tower. We will have a rest in the city park - the Geliber botanical garden.

And in the evening we will walk along the main avenue of Vilnius - Gediminas, where you can have a great time shopping or enjoying freshly brewed beer in one of the local breweries. Well, now about all this in more detail.

Cathedral Square and Gediminas Monument

Cathedral Square in Vilnius is one of the main squares of the city, which is conveniently located in historical center, at the intersection of Gediminas Avenue and the old Pilies street. On the square and next to it, there are the most popular sights of Vilnius and festivities are held here for the townspeople, new year celebrations and other events.

On the square are the Cathedral and the Palace of the Lithuanian princes, about them a little lower, as well as the bell tower and the monument to Gediminas.

The four-tiered bell tower, 57 meters high, is located at the main entrance to the Cathedral. The bell tower was repeatedly reconstructed, the bells were changed, repairs were carried out, but now you can hear the most beautiful play of bell ringing.

The central place on the Cathedral Square is occupied by a bronze monument to the founder of Vilnius - Grand Duke Gediminas.

A popular place among tourists is under the Gediminas monument.

Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Vladislav

Here, on the square, one of the main architectural monuments of Vilnius is located - the Cathedral of St. Stanislav and Vladislav. This cathedral is a key building on the cathedral square, located at the foot of the Castle Hill.

Cathedral for your centuries of history also rebuilt several times. Now we can see massive columns from the side of the main entrance to the temple, as well as statues of Saints above the facade: in the middle is a statue of St. Helena with a gilded cross, St. Stanislav on the left, St. Casimir on the right.

Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, or as it is more commonly called the Palace of Rulers in Vilnius, is also located on central square, Near cathedral Saints Stanislav and Vladislav. This architectural monument was completely recreated during the years of the modern Republic of Lithuania.

Currently, the building of the palace houses the National Museum, which is described below. A best view to the Palace of Rulers opens from the tower of Gediminas.

National Museum of Lithuania

The former Vilna Museum of Antiquities, and now the State Historical Museum, is also located at the foot of the Castle Hill in Vilnius. It contains collections and expositions related to the most important historical events Lithuania.

In front of the entrance to the National Museum there is a monument to the Lithuanian King Mindovg.

Tower (castle) of Gediminas

Perhaps one of the most popular sights of modern Vilnius is the Gediminas Tower, located on the Castle Hill and towering over the entire city, from which it opens beautiful view to the historical center and the whole of Vilnius.

If the weather is good and sunny during your trip to Vilnius, we definitely recommend climbing the tower. The ascent takes about half an hour, along a stone-paved path, so you should bring comfortable shoes with you. For those who have not done this, the prudent Lithuanians offer to climb the Gediminas' Tower with the help of a funicular.

Since now the Gediminas Tower is one of the branches of the Historical Museum, it houses various expositions on a historical theme.

three crosses

The monument in the form of three white crosses is located on the Three-Cross Mountain of the same name, which was previously Bald Mountain. According to legend, the monks who remained to rule in the city were crucified on these crosses, at a time when Prince Olgerd and the city governor went to war.

We did not go up to the monument itself, taking a few shots from afar, but on one of our next trips to Vilnius, we will definitely see this attraction closer.

Botanical Garden J.E.Geliber

After intense ascents to the Gediminas Tower and to the monument of the Three Crosses, we invite you to take a break in the botanical garden of Gelibera, surrounded by greenery. Here you can take a leisurely walk along the narrow paths, or sit on benches in the shade of trees.

Gediminas Avenue

Well, at the end of the first day, we suggest going to main street Vilnius - Gediminas Avenue. Here you can have a great evening walking along a straight, about 2 km long avenue or go shopping, which are a lot on Gediminas, and of course look into brewery cafes that brew excellent Lithuanian beer.

Most tourists, including us, choose Gediminas Avenue to stay for the night. This is very convenient, both in terms of location to the main attractions, and in terms of the variety of hotels and apartments to choose from.

Here are some of them, ideal in terms of price-quality-location ratio:

• Fabrika Hostel & Gallery. Rating - 8.5. The price is 10 euros.
• Opera House Hostel Centre. Rating - 8.8. The price is 12 euros.
• Danarent Tilto Apartment. Rating - 8.9. The price is 35 euros.
• Hotel Senatoria. Rating - 7.7. The price is 41 euros.

Read more about all the nuances of renting an apartment in Vilnius in this article:

• Restaurant Prie Katedros is the most delicious (in our opinion) freshly brewed beer in Vilnius.
• Yoyo Frozen Yogurt is a good place to cool off in hot weather and eat delicious yogurt ice cream.
• Soul & Pepper Restaurant - perfect place to have a delicious meal and spend an unforgettable evening in Vilnius.

What to see and where to go in Vilnius – 2nd day

The route of the 2nd day will start again from the historical center, from the famous Vilnius University. We will walk around the Presidential Palace, see the churches of the Holy Cross and St. Michael, wander along the narrow street Literatu and enjoy the indescribable beauty of the Church of St. Anna.

Well, towards the end of the route we will go to the old Piles street, where we will try the most delicious zeppelins in Vilnius, Italian ice cream and much more.

This oldest and largest university in Lithuania is located in the historical center of Vilnius. The buildings and faculties of Vilnius University are located here and in several other parts of the city. Be sure to look into the courtyard of the university, it is saturated with the atmosphere of antiquity and at the same time modernity, due to the fact that every year thousands and thousands of young people open the doors of this educational institution.

Church of Saint John

In the architectural ensemble of Vilnius University buildings there is the Church of St. Johns, which, with its main facade, faces the Great University Yard. It is known that the church was built at the expense of Prince Oginsky.

To the right of the church there is a bell tower, which you can climb and see Vilnius from a bird's eye view.

Presidential palace

Next to Vilnius University is the Presidential Palace, which is the official residence of the current President of Lithuania. It was very unusual for us that there is no high fence and armed guards in the President's residence, you can safely walk and enjoy the architecture.

Also, concerts and folk art fairs are held near the Presidential Palace on weekends and holidays.

Church of the Holy Cross

Near Presidential Palace there is a small monastery church of the Holy Cross, which, according to legend, stands on the site of the oldest monastery of the Franciscans, in whose honor the monument of the Three Crosses was erected, which we spoke about above.

Literatu Street

Small, only 140 meters, Literatu Street, constantly attracts our attention. In each of our visits to Vilnius, we will definitely take a leisurely walk along it. Why is she so attractive?

Literatu Street is one of the oldest streets in Vilnius; in the old days second-hand bookshops and bookstores were located here, which is why the street got its name. Now this narrow lane paved with paving stones, meandering in a broken line, connects Piles Street with the Church of St. Michael, to which we are now heading.

Church of St. Michael

The Church of St. Michael in Vilnius, to which we go along Literatu Street, is interesting not only as architectural monument 16th century, but also as a tomb of the Sapieha family, at the expense of which the construction of the temple was carried out.

Church of Saint Anne and Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

And now we come to one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of Vilnius, created by the churches of St. Anna and St. Francis of Assisi. The Church of St. Anne will not leave indifferent any tourist, only the style is “flaming gothic”, the old red brick from which it is made and the spiers of the temple aspiring upward are worth something.

You can talk about this church endlessly, but this is the case when it is better to see once than to read hundreds of pages about the church of St. Anna.

The church of St. Francis of Assisi adjoins the church of St. Anne. This is not its common name, more often it is called the Bernardine Church.

Near the churches, in the square, there is a monument to the famous Polish poet - Adam Mickiewicz.

Pilies street

One of the oldest, if not the oldest, Pilies street, now perhaps most popular place all tourists in Vilnius. Pilies Street is ideal for leisurely walks thanks to the stone-paved paths and scenic views of the buildings. There is an abundance of restaurants, cafes, hotels, museums and galleries, as well as merchants of jewelry and souvenirs that you can bring from Vilnius.

• Hostel Piles 16 . Rating - 8.7. The price is 7 euros.
• Hotel Litinterp Vilnius 2*. Rating - 9.7. The price is 23 euros.
• Best Location Old Town Pilies Avenue. Rating - 8.0. The price is 40 euros.
• Sofijos apartamentai Old Town . Rating - 9.8. The price is 45 euros.

• Cafe Soprano - the most delicious Italian ice cream in Vilnius.
• Restaurant Forto Dvaras - the best zeppelins in town. This place is a must in Vilnius! You will not regret.
• Marché de Provence is a good, expensive restaurant with European cuisine.

Read more about Lithuanian cuisine in this article:

Forto Dvaras restaurant in Vilnius is our favorite

What other sights of Vilnius to see

In principle, what we propose to reschedule for inspection on the 3rd day can easily be seen (if you refresh yourself with zeppelins) as part of the 2nd route, if you came to Vilnius for the weekend. But we prefer not to rush past interesting historical sites, but to walk slowly, stopping by and stopping near each attraction for a while.

Continuing along Pilies Street, we will examine the Pyatnitskaya Church and head to the Town Hall Square - another epicenter of Vilnius. We will examine the Church of St. Casimir, look through the Basilian Gate to the Church of the Holy Trinity. We will attend a children's performance in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Teresa and leave the old city through the gates of Aushros (Sharp gate).

Next, we will talk about the oldest market Vilnius and the sculpture of the Egg in one of the squares, and then having examined the Church of All Saints, the Choral Synagogue and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we will finish our walk around Vilnius.

Pyatnitskaya church

On our way to the Town Hall Square, at the crossroads of Pilies and DJI streets, we meet the first stone church in the city - Pyatnitskaya Church. This Orthodox church in Vilnius is named after the Holy Martyr Praskeva Pyatnitsa.

Town Hall Square

Town Hall Square - one of the oldest squares in Vilnius has a triangular shape and was formed due to the crossing trade routes that led to the old city. The key building is the City Hall, and concerts, city fairs and holidays are held on the square itself.

The Town Hall Square area is very convenient for overnight stays while traveling. Therefore, we have selected a few good options housing, here they are:

• Hostelgate Privates. Rating - 9.1. The price is 32 euros.
• Old town heart apartment. Rating - 9.4. The price is 45 euros.
• Hotel Domus Maria 3* . Rating - 8.7. The price is 56 euros.

Detailed review article cheap hotels in the center of Vilnius:

Well, according to tradition, a few places from public catering, where you should definitely go in this area of ​​the city:

• Restaurant Amatininku Uzeiga is an excellent Lithuanian restaurant in an old country style.
• Dirty Duck Pub - delicious burgers and good beer.
• Markus ir Ko - very tasty steaks and a variety of desserts.

town hall

The key place on the square is occupied by the City Hall, the building of which has managed to visit both a theater and a museum in its history. Now the Vilnius Town Hall is a public institution where ceremonial meetings, celebrations are held public holidays, receptions of delegations, exhibitions and other events.

Church of St. Casimir

More recently, about a hundred years ago, it was the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas, but now the Roman Catholic Church of St. Casimir belongs to the Jesuit Order. Interest in the architecture of the church is caused by the dome, which is the first built in Vilnius and at the same time the largest in the city - 17 meters in diameter.

basilian gate

Walking further down DJi Street, we can see the Basilian Gate, behind which is the Church of the Holy Trinity, or as it is more commonly called, the Trinity Church. It is noteworthy that it is in this Greek Catholic church that services are held on Belarusian language, and the style in which it is built is Belarusian Gothic.

Holy Spirit Church

The Church of the Holy Spirit and the monastery are located near the Sharp gate in the old town. It was this temple that for many years represented the interests of Orthodoxy in Vilnius, and M. Lomonosov studied in the school built at the monastery.

Roman Catholic Church of Saint Teresa

There is also the Church of St. Teresa, made in the Baroque style, its main facade is richly decorated with granite, red and black marble.

Services are held in the church in Latin, Lithuanian and Polish. We also got to one of them and imprinted in our memory a children's performance in white clothes.

Aushros Gate (Sharp gate)

So we come to one of the main, if not the main sights of Vilnius, not only an architectural monument, but also an object of religious significance - the Sharp Gate. Aushros Gate, as the Sharp Gate is also called, is the only surviving gate from the ancient city wall of Vilnius.

On the second level of the gate there is a chapel with a miraculous image of the Mother of God.

In principle, if we go outside the gate, we will find ourselves outside the old city, so this could be the end of our acquaintance with Vilnius. But since we are not looking for easy ways, we suggest going further and seeing some more interesting sights of the city.

Hales Turgus Market

One of them is the Hales Turgus market. This market is one of the oldest in Vilnius. After the reconstruction, the architecture of the building acquired airiness, thanks to panoramic glazing. You can buy a lot of things here - vegetables, fruits, meat, cheeses, fish, dairy products, as well as things and industrial goods are sold separately. Nearby there is parking and a cafe.

Sculpture Easter Egg

Turning from the market onto Pilimo Street, we find interesting sculpture in the form of an egg. This 300 kilogram painted egg is a gift from the Republic of Užupis to the city. The Easter Egg sculpture appeared at this place not by chance, earlier there was a bird market at this place, which was a place of attraction for a huge number of people.

Church of All Saints

Continuing along Pilimo Street, we can see the beautiful old Church of All Saints, which, together with the Carmelite monastery, forms the architectural ensemble of this part of the city.

Choral synagogue

Here, on Pilimo Street, there is the only surviving choral synagogue in Vilnius. It is used by that part of the small Jewish community that remained in the city.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Well, let's finish sightseeing in Vilnius at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is better known as a Franciscan church - one of the oldest Catholic churches in Vilnius. The church with a chapel adjoining it occupies a large, very well-groomed area where you can relax in the shade of tall trees.

Map of Vilnius with marks of sights

Well, in conclusion, what I want to say is that it’s definitely worth a trip to Vilnius at least once, not only to see all its sights, but also to feel the atmosphere of the city, thanks to which we return there every time, again and again. And we will definitely go again!

To tell you the truth, I didn't originally intend to write this material. Tanya and I went to Vilnius just to unwind, walk around the old town, drink wine with cheap shrimp and just have a good couple of days off. It was not a "blogging" trip, but just short trip to a city where we have already been countless times. Therefore, this article appeared largely spontaneously. I will not go into details, but it seems to me that I can no longer write nothing.

But, okay... I should probably leave behind the scenes all these lengthy reflections and quickly get to the point. In this review, I will try to show you Vilnius the way I see it, tell you about the main attractions of this city and those places that I especially like to visit myself. I warn you right away, there will not be a word about OZAS, Akropolis and other places that people like to visit so much Belarusian tourists. Only real city, only real Vilnius. I will try to prove to you that this city can be interesting not only because of its airport and local shopping centers.

Gedemina's Tower

This is one of the main symbols of Vilnius, so let's start with it. A low brown brick tower stands on the castle hill (hill) in the very center of the city. On one side are the red roofs of the old city. And on the other side you can see the stylish skyscrapers of the Vilnius city. Even in cool weather on the "mountain" it blows very strongly. IN last time there, I generally felt like Mary Poppins. If I had an umbrella in my hands then, I would definitely be flying somewhere in the sky over the Baltics now.

Although in spite of everything, it is still worth climbing Gedemina Hill. There is a great view from its platform. And the Gedemina Tower itself looks very stylish and photogenic. Photographing her is a pleasure. The contrast between old and new Vilnius is felt here like nowhere else.

Cathedral Square

Another one of the central places of the Lithuanian capital. If someone suddenly does not know, this square begins right at the hill with the tower of Gedemin. In the very center of it stands the white building of the Cathedral and the pointed bell tower, which for some reason (don't laugh) always reminds me of a pencil. Next to the cathedral (more precisely, right behind it) is the recently recreated Palace of Rulers and a monument to Prince Gedemin. All this you will not miss. Therefore, I will not write anything more about them.

A completely different thing is a small tile with the inscription "Stebuklas" ("Miracle"). Here it is, indeed, you can not notice. It is located just a few meters from the Vilnius bell tower. It is believed that the well-known action Baltic Way began from this place, in which 2 million inhabitants of the Baltic countries joined hands, forming a human chain from Vilnius to Tallinn. Thus, the inhabitants of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia wanted to show the whole world their unity in their desire for independence from the USSR. Which is what happened in the end.

Today, this tile with the inscription "Miracle" is considered something of an informal landmark of Vilnius, plus a sort of special place for the fulfillment of desires. Stand on it, turn around your axis three times (like Nikolai Tsiskaridze), make a wish and wait. I ordered the return of the dinosaurs. While I'm waiting.

Old town of Vilnius

I agree, it's such a broad term. You can walk along the streets of "senamiestis" for a long time. If you want some specifics, remember at least three names for yourself - Piles gatve, Skapo gatve and Gedemina Avenue. The first street ("Castle") is considered one of the oldest in the city. There are a lot of different souvenir shops, cafes and other tourist rubbish.

The second (Scapo) is already an attraction in itself. The thing is that it is she who is considered the most narrow street Vilnius, and therefore it is very cool to take pictures here. To find it, focus on the very Pilies street - Skapo gatve is one of its branches. Well, Gedemina Avenue you will not miss. This is one of the central arteries of the Lithuanian capital. During periods of various holidays (such as Kaziukas, for example), mass festivities take place here. And the rest of the time it's just very beautiful. I like.

Plus, keep in mind that it is on Gedemina Avenue that you can eat cheaply and drink coffee at such tables in the Go9 shopping center.

The thing is that these tables are right next to the RIMI chain store. Go to the local culinary, take yourself a salad, cheese, coffee - and go to these very tables. By the way, there will also be a free toilet on the right along the course. I think that this information will also be useful.

Užupis

Uzhupis ... Apple Republic or simply the Republic of the District. A non-standard attraction, but at the same time simply - one of the most creative, colorful and eccentric districts of the Lithuanian capital. Back in the 90s, a local declaration of independence was signed here. Republic of Užupis declared itself separate country, but at the same time, rather, set the goal to stand out than to separate. The most creative and “gouging” quarter of Vilnius has its own president, flag, coat of arms, and even its own constitution. It was placed on the wall of one of the buildings, translated into many languages ​​and subsequently began to be regularly shown to tourists. At the moment, even the inhabitants of the “republic” themselves proudly call the constitution of Užupis the most stupid constitution in the world. Trust me, I'm not kidding. It's almost official.

Venera Bezrukova...

If someone is interested in reading more about what the Republic of the District is, just below I will post a link to one of my old articles, entirely dedicated to this place. I wrote it two years ago, but little has changed in Užupis since then. We checked. The most unusual quarter of Vilnius is still as strange, cheerful and vibrant as ever.

Anton Borodachev and other aliens. "Live and prosper, inhabitants of the Earth."

If you are in the capital of Lithuania, be sure to check it out. I do not promise that you will fall in love with him, but he is guaranteed not to leave you indifferent.

Church of St. Anne

One of the oldest churches in the Lithuanian capital. It is located just near the Republic of Zarechye. You can see him well. Like Armenian church standing a few hundred meters away from him.

I won't write more about them. The article is already voluminous. I'll try to be brief next.

Vilnius University building

One of the most famous and one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe. It includes the oldest library in Lithuania, its own personal church, a botanical garden, and that's not to mention as many as 12 faculties and seven institutes equated to them. IN different years many famous figures of Belarus and Lithuania from Ignat Domeiko to Adam Mickiewicz studied in this place.

At the moment, the entrance to Vilnius University and its interior halls paid (1.5 euros). But every tourist can get there. Without exams.

Town Hall Square

Another important place on the map of the Lithuanian capital. Here is the building of the Vilnius City Hall, the Church of St. Casimir and (what is most interesting) a small house at number 19, where the famous Belarusian educator Francysk Skaryna once worked.

There is even a memorial plaque on the facade of the building in his honor. All in all, don't miss it. Still, our Francis is a prominent guy.

Basilian Monastery and the "Gate of Dawn"

Brama's appearance

Aushros Gate or Sharp Gate, as they are also called, is one of the main pilgrimage sites on the map of the Lithuanian capital. Once these gates were part of a large fortress wall that surrounded the city, and today they have become one of the city's attractions. In addition to the gate itself, a part of the Sharp Gate is also a chapel with the icon of the Mother of God of Ostrobramskaya. The icon is considered miraculous and is revered as one of the most important shrines on the territory of modern Lithuania. Over the years, her references were found in the works of many Belarusian classics - from Mickiewicz to Bogdanovich and Syrokomlya.

Interior view of Brama

Literally a couple of hundred meters from the Ostroy Brama is the complex of the Basilian Monastery and the Church of the Holy Trinity. This is also a very beautiful place.

I hope one photo will be enough for you to appreciate it.

Other sights of Vilnius

If you list separately each of the churches of the Lithuanian capital, this article will turn into a huge tome. Just walk around Vilnius and look around - different churches and cathedrals will come across to you one after another. Don't get attached to anything in particular. And very soon you will have your own favorite places in Lithuanian capital.

For me personally, this place is local museum of modern art(on Wednesdays admission is free), as well as a small street calledliterature. Hmm... I know how strange it sounds, but this street reminds me of an old hipster - with bright graffiti instead of tattoos, and a bunch of little plaques with the names of various artists. They are even somewhat similar to the Portuguese azulejos.

I also always liked vilnius city, Church of Peter and Paul, but up to the quarter Zverynas(similar to an old village with an abundance of wooden houses) I still can’t get there. I’ll also take the local TV tower. This is definitely an attraction that can be left for later.

Church of Peter and Paul

In general, you can see Vilnius in a calm rhythm in 2-3 days. Three is even with a margin. You can set aside this day for a trip to Trakai. There is one and a half castles, and you can get there from Vilnius in just half an hour.

In fact, Trakai is such an addition to Vilnius. We were there once detailed story You can read more about this trip below. And I will end with these words. Write in the comments if I forgot something.

How to organize an independent trip to Vilnius

Transport. There are many different ways to get to Lithuania. The best option is bus or train. The first one is cheaper, but can get a little stuck at the border. The second one usually gets to Vilnius on time. Yes, and it is more comfortable to ride, as for me.

You can buy bus tickets and see the flight schedule or here on this site. Train tickets are sold online. poezd.rw.by. Of course, all tickets can also be bought at specialized ticket offices.

Hotels. To find them, I advise you to use sites such as RoomGuru and Hotellook. I will note right away that these sites themselves do not rent anything. They just check the prices on different booking sites and in a couple of minutes show you which one of them is the cheapest for a particular room. Believe me, on conditional Booking and Ostrovka the same room can cost completely different. Therefore, such platforms as those that I mentioned above are needed. With their help, you can always find the best prices. All you have to do after that is just go to the site that offers the best rates and complete the booking.

Apartments. Very often they are not only more comfortable, but also cheaper than hotel rooms. The best place to look for them is on the AIRBNB website. Register in the system here at this link and you will immediately receive a small bonus on your booking.

As for us personally, for the duration of this trip we rented a very stylish loft for 23 euros per day. Find detailed overview this apartment can be found at the link below.

insurance. Walking around Vilnius is not a particularly extreme thing, so insurance policies can be completely neglected here. They are rarely asked at the border. You may need such documents only when contacting the embassy. Well, or for personal peace of mind. If you are planning to buy insurance, the main thing is not to grab a “pig in a poke” and do not buy policies near embassies. Better use for these purposes. On this site, 16 different insurances are collected at once. Enter the direction and dates of the trip - and the system itself will show which one is best for you personally in terms of price and quality. I personally always buy insurance on this site myself and even applied twice to clinics abroad. One such case is described. All the nuances of choosing insurance for Schengen are written in the article below.

Excursions. I don't really like to walk around the city with a guide, but I know that there are people who have the opposite opinion on this matter. And in general ... Now there are such author's tours, which I would like to join with pleasure. As an example, a beer tour of the best bars Vilnius. Find such non-standard excursions in different corners land can be found on sites such as . I recommend that you use two of these sites at once (so there will be more choice). See what you like best.

The Old Town of Vilnius, it is also called the old place (Lithuanian name Vilniaus Senamiestis, Polish - Stare Miasto w Wilnie) occupies only one district of the capital of Lithuania. It is this area that is the oldest part of the city, which has preserved its history and architecture. Almost all the streets of the old city are completely pedestrian, narrow and paved with paving stones and cobblestones.

In 1994, the old city was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

You will be in Vilnius, even passing through, be sure to walk along the streets of the old city, believe me, there will be something to remember, in one you will get acquainted with the history of the Middle Ages and more modern times. In addition, the old place of the Lithuanian capital is recognized as one of the largest urban complexes in Eastern Europe. Here you will see beautiful and spacious squares; narrow and colorful streets; cathedrals and temples - Catholic, Lutheran and Orthodox; museums, hotels, educational establishments and residential buildings of various architectural solutions - Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and even Art Nouveau.

The central streets of the historic part of the city are strewn with many different cafes, pubs and restaurants. In many of them you can taste.

It is in the old town that the main sights of Vilnius are concentrated. So, having come to stay in the Lithuanian capital, feel free to go to its historical and cultural part - the old town.

The Old Town originates from the most famous and significant square in Vilnius - Cathedral Square.

This spacious square houses such attractions as: the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus, the bell tower at the Cathedral and the monument to Prince Gediminas, installed in the very center of the square.

Not far from the square is the Castle Hill with the Tower of Gediminas. The tower houses the Lithuanian National Museum, and on the top floor there is an observation deck.

Behind the castle hill spread mountain park, which houses a snow-white monument - the Three Crosses with a very interesting history.

We talked about all this - the square with its sights, the castle and the park in an article earlier, read it.

Photo of the Cathedral Square. On the right is the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislav, the cathedral has a bell tower, and right in the center is a monument to the Lithuanian prince Gediminas.

From this square originates the central street of the old town - Pilies. The street is also called Castle Street (Zamkowa), and not without reason, because, as we remember, it originates from the Castle Hill. In Soviet times, the street was called Gorky.

Stepping into the street, a “different world” opens up, so different from the modern cities we are used to. You seem to be jumping back in time. In general, we have a special weakness for the old cities of Europe, they are all somewhat similar to each other, but at the same time, each has its own charm and zest.

We leave to Church of Saint John. The full name of the church is the Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. The church building is part of the Vilnius University ensemble. The church was built in the Vilna Baroque style and is an architectural monument.

Next to the Church of St. John rises one of the tallest buildings in the old city of Vilnius - five-tiered bell tower. The church and the bell tower for a long time remained the tallest building not only in the old part of the city, but in the whole of Vilnius. Thanks to this, the bell tower and the church have become the architectural dominant of the Vilnius panorama.

Slowly walking further, we go out to a small tent bazaar with clothes and souvenirs near Pyatnitskaya Church or, as it is also called, the Temple in the name of the holy martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa. This Orthodox Church, it was the first stone Christian church in the city.

Near the church there is a green area for walking and relaxing - square Konstantino Sirvydo. Grows in the park a large number of trees, benches for rest are installed and a fountain works.

The area is quite spacious, has a triangular shape. In the center of the square there are benches for rest and cafes, and a large number of attractions are concentrated around.

When erecting new buildings, they are so skillfully, and most importantly, harmoniously fit into the surrounding architecture that you will not immediately pay attention to them, and if you do not look closely, you will not notice at all and cannot be distinguished from the historical buildings of past centuries. Well done Lithuanians, this is worth learning from them.

The very name "Town Hall Square" speaks for itself, the central structure of the square is city ​​hall.

The town hall was built in the style of classicism, which is why it stands out from other buildings. In the literal sense, the town hall means the house of councils.

Not far from the town hall is Church of St. Casimir(Svento Kazimiero baznycia, koscioł Swetego Kazimierza). It is currently a Roman Catholic Jesuit non-parochial church. But from 1840 to 1915 the church was the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas.

Wedding ceremonies are held in the church and services are held regularly, on Sundays even in Russian. The Russian language is not a surprise for Vilnius, all residents over thirty speak and understand Russian well. Young people know Russian worse, but you can still explain yourself. This does not apply to employees of public institutions, all of them, regardless of age, speak Russian. You go into a restaurant, they first greet you in Lithuanian, then in English, and if they see that you don’t understand or start a conversation in broken English, then they greet you in Russian. Still, there are a lot of Russians in the city, Russian speech comes from everywhere.

Holy Trinity Church and Basilian Monastery.

Church of the Holy Trinity and the Basilian Monastery, this is a Greek Catholic church in the name of the Holy Trinity and the former Basilian Monastery that is still active today.

photo of church gate

In just a minute they came to Church of Saint Teresa.

Church of St. Teresa or St. Teresa (Lithuanian name Sventos Teresės baznycia, Polish - koscioł Swiętej Teresy) is a parish Roman Catholic church. Made in the Baroque style.

And again we go to the Church. Church of the Holy Spirit. This temple in honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit to the apostles is the most important Orthodox church Lithuania, a monument of history and architecture.

In general, there are so many churches and churches in the old town of Vilnius that we were not interested in all of them, but stopped at the most impressive, beautiful or simply liked ones.

So we went through the whole old city along its central streets. We went to the Ostrobramsky (Ausros, Aushros) gates, through which you can go outside the old city or, on the contrary, enter the old city, depending on which side to start the walk.

This is the only surviving gate from the city wall that once surrounded the entire city.

The Gate of Sharp Gate or East Gate (Lithuanian name Ausros Vartai, Polish - Ostra Brama) is one of the most important sights of Vilnius, an object of tourism and religious pilgrimage, as well as a monument of history and architecture. In Russian speech, these gates are sometimes called the Holy Gates.

A chapel was built above the gate, on which you can see the miraculous image of the Mother of God of Ostrobramskaya.

But our walk does not end there. We will also walk along the central streets of the old place and just admire its embellishments.