| Page Views: 49 Last Visit to Vilnius: October, 2008 | Vilnius - Lithuania by pure1942 - last update: Feb 15, 2009 |
Vilnius is a quintessential Old Europe capital with a sprawling,cobblestoned old town filled with a myriad of Baroque churches and quirky architectural gems.
The old town itself is listed as a UNESCO world heritage sights which basically means there are too many interesting cultural and historic sights to list individually!!! Apart from the, too many to mention churches, the old town boasts a variety of ancient fortifications, palaces, museums and even a seperate republic!!! - all contained in a maze of cobblestone streets.
Outside the old town, Vilnius downgrades significantly, with modern city sprawl and Soviet era architecture taking over, but is still worth exploring if only to get a feeling for the newer, more forward thinking signs of this ancient country. Also located outside the old town is the thought provoking former KGB Building which houses the museum of occupation, which has a detailed account of life during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania. |
|  | Baroque Capital of the Baltics Vilnius' Old Town contains a vast quantity of impressive Baroque churches which should keep any fans of architecture busy for days. I'm not a huge architectural buff but one can't fail to be impressed by the variety and quality of these beautiful churches. Everywhere you look in the Old Town is another quality example of Baroque architecture. These pastel coloured churches are what Vilnius is best known for and the variety and well preserved nature of the buildings has led to the Old Town of Vilnius being declared a UNESCO world heritage site. The most impressive of the churches are undoubtably the Bernadine Church, Holy Trinity Church, St. Casimir's Church, St. Catherine's Church, St. Peter and Paul's Church, St. John's Church and St. George the Martyr Church.
The Old Town also boasts numerous Gothic style gems, namely St. Anne's Church and the Church of the Holy Mother of God The Vilnius Russian Population has also left its mark on the city's skyline with several beautiful orthodox churches such as the Church of St. Michael & St. Konstantine, Church of St. Paraskeva and the Church of the Holy Spirit. The mighty Cathedral is another Vilnius must see, although lacking the beauty and style of the older Vilnius churches. |
| | Apart from Churches!!! Vilnius is not just churches. Apart from the aforementioned Museum of Occupation, the Old Town contains a variety of other interesting historic and cultural masterpieces.
Overlooking the Old Town is Gediminas Castle and Tower which sits on a small hill of the same name and is the focal point of the Old Town. Below the hill is Cathedral Square with its impressive bell tower. On an even higher point to the east is the hill of the Three Crosses, which commemorates three executed monks and has become a symbol of the city.
To the east of the Old Town is the unique Uzupis area, a self declared republic of artists, squatters and alternative lifestylers.
The Town Hall and surrounding square, is a meeting point for the busy streets of Pilies (leading onto Didzioji), Vokieciu and Ausros Vartu. Just to the east of the Town Hall square is the remains of the Vilniaus Bastion.
And if all of this isn't enough to keep you busy, there are several worthwhile excursions and day trips to take from the city. A visit to Trakai is a popular daytrip from Vilnius to visit the famous red island castle and Lithuania's second city, Kaunas is within easy reach. |
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 Comments for pure1942 about Vilnius | | | | |
HORSCHECK Wed Feb 25, 2009 22:32 UTC
Brian, fantastic start here. I hope to see more soon. Only I remember the Bell Tower stood vertically when I was there. I am surprised that it is now standing horizontally. *winkygrin* | hunterV Sun Feb 15, 2009 18:47 UTC
Hello, Brian! Great you've managed to visit! I would too... |
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