Vilnius Things to Do Tips by HORSCHECK Top 5 Page for this destination

Orthodox Church of St. Michael and St. Constantine Orthodox church of St. Constantine and St. Michael Review

The Orthodox Church of St. Michael and St. Constantine (Sv. Konstantino ir Michailo Cerkve) belongs to the Russain Heritage of Vilnius.

It is also known as Romanov Church as it was built in 1913 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. With its large green onion domes the church was constructed with elements of the Rostov and Suzdal architectural styles.

Directions:
The Orthodox Church of St. Michael and St. Constantine is located about 1 km west of Vilnius old town, just near the crossing of the streets Jono Basanaviciaus and Algirdo.

Address: Orthodox Church of St. Michael and St. Constantine, Jono Basanaviciaus 27, Vilnius

Lithuanian Parliament Parliament Review

The building of the Lithuanian Parliament is a typical example of Soviet style architecture. It was built in 1982 during the Soviet era as the seat for the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Only 8 years later Lithuania's independence from the Soviet Union was declared from here. Nowadays the building is the seat of the Lithuanian Parliament (seimas).

When we visited the building we were lucky enough to get in. The entrance door was open and in the entrance hall was an interesting exhibition about the Lithuanian losses during Soviet and Nazi occupation.

Directions:
The Lithuanian Parliament is situated at the Independence Square (Nepriklausomybes aikste) which can be found at the western end of the Gedimino prospektas.

Address: Lithuanian Parliament, Gedimino pr. 53, Vilnius

Website: http://www.seimas.lt/

Orthodox Church of St. Parasceve Russian Orthodox church of St Parasceve Review

The Orthodox Church of St. Parasceve (Pyatnickaya) was the first church in Vilnius which was made of stone. It was built in 1345 on the site of a pagan temple.

In 1705, the African prince Abram Petrovich Gannibal who is the great-grandfather of Alexander Pushkin was batised here.

After major fire damage in WWII, the church was completely reconstructed in 1949. During the Soviet era it was used as a museum of painting.

Directions:
The Orthodox Church of St. Parasceve is situated right in the touristy heart of Vilnius' old town, where the pedestrianised streets Pilies and Didzioji meet.

Address: Orthodox Church of St. Parasceve, Didzioji 2, Vilnius

Cathedral Cathedral Review

One of Vilnius' main landmarks is the white Cathedral (Arkikatedra Bazilika). The current structure dates back to the early 15th century, but as most churches in Vilnius it suffered many fires.

In the 18th century the building got its French-classicist appearance. During the Soviet area the Cathedral was used as an art gallery, but returned to the Catholic Church in 1990.

The Cathedral is topped by three saints. They are replicas of the original ones, which were thrown away by the Soviets in 1950.

When we visited Vilnius in summer 2006, the 52 m high free-standing belfry was unfortunately completely scaffolded. During our second visit in summer 2011 the belfry was completely renovated.

Directions:
The Cathedral with its freestanding belfry can be found at the western end of Gediminas Hill.

Address: Cathedral, Katedros a. 1, Vilnius

Website: http://www.katedra.lt/

Evangelical Lutheran Church

The history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Evangeliku Liuteronu Baznycia) dates back to 1555 when the first church was built on this spot. The belfry was errected in 1872.

The current church building has Gothic and Baroque elements. The interior is dominated by a rococo altar from 1741. During Soviet times the church was used as a basketball hall, but since 1991 it functions as a house of worship for the Christians again.

Directions:
The Evangelical Lutheran Church stands in a courtyard on the street Vokieciu 20, which can be found right in the heart of Vilnius' old town.

Address: Evangelical Lutheran Church, Vokieciu 20, Vilnius

Website: http://www.vilniuschurch.org/

Barricades of the Parliament defenders in 1991 Baricades of Parliament defenders in 1991 Review

On the western side of the Parliament building a few barricades are used as a memorial to commemorate the 23 Lithuanian victims of the independence fight against the Soviets in 1991.

The barricades were set up in winter 1990/91 to protect the Parliament building against the crackdown. Apart from the barricades, there is also a memorial about "Russia's genocide against the Chechen people".

Direction: The barricades of the Parliament defenders can be found on the western side of the Parliament building, which is located at the western end of the Gedimino prospektas.

Presidential Palace Presidential Palace Review

The history of the Presidential Palace dates back to the 14th century when the first palace was built for the Bishop. Later both Tsar Alexander I and Napoleon lived here.

After massive renovations in 1997 the current Classical-style palace got its present purpose: Seat of the Lithuanian President.

Directions:
The Presidential Palace is located in the northwestern part of the old town, just west of the university area.

Address: Presidential Palace, Daukanto aikste 3/8, Vilnius

St. Nicolas Church Church of St Nicolas Review

Lithuania's oldest Church is the catholic St. Nicolas Church (Sv. Mikalojaus Baznycia) which was founded by German merchants in 1320.

The red brick Gothic building was the only church in Vilnius where Lithuanian's were allowed to go to church services during the Polish occupation (1920 - 1939).

Directions:
The little St. Nicolas Church can be found in the western part of Vilnius Old Town.

Address: St. Nicolas Church, Mikalojaus gatve 4, Vilnius

Sts. Johns' Church Church of Sts Johns Review

The Sts. Johns' Church (Sv. Jonu Baznycia) is also known as University Church as it is situated within the university complex.

The church has a long history dating back to the 14th century, but the current structure was built in the 18th century after plans of Jan Krzysztof Glaubitz. His name stands for the typical Vilnius baroque style. During the Soviet years the church served as a science museum.

At 68 m in height the belfry is said to be Vilnius' highest church tower. It was erected in the early 17th century.

Directions:
The Sts. Johns' Church is located right in the heart of Vilnius' old town, just on the eastern side of the university's courtyard.

Address: Sts. Johns' Church, Sv. Jono 12, Vilnius

St. Anne's Church and Bernadine Monastery Church of St Ann Review

The St. Anne's Church (Sv Onos Baznycia) and Bernadine Monastery (Bernadinu Baznycia) are a fine Lithuanian Gothic ensemble located just next to each other

The red brick St. Anne's Church dates back to the late 15th century and is still almost unchanged.

The 15th century Bernadine monastery experienced various devastations through the years. Under Soviet rule it was even used as an Art Academy. The interior is still in a state of massive restoration.

Directions:
St. Anne's Church and Bernadine Monastery are situated at the street Mairionio gatve, near the eastern end of the old town.

Address:
St Anne's Church, Mairinio gatve 8, Vilnius