Vilnius, Lithuania – The spirit of Europe’s largest old town! Part 1 of 2!

Photo. Gediminas Tower is the only remaining functional part of the Upper Castle in Vilnius, Lithuania. © Travel Explorations.

I got the big pleasure to admire the view from Gediminas Tower on 10th February 2008. The first fortifications of Gediminas Hill were built of wood by the Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Gediminas (1316-1341). First the castle was built of brick in 1409 by Duke Vytautas the Great, (1392-1430). There are some fragments of the old castle, which are now restored according to numerous archaeological researches on the Gediminas Hill. The area around the Gediminas is very beautiful and it’s possible to view the Three Crosses from the top of the hill.

From there I could admire the Old Town and all the architectural wonders. It’s was the political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the 13th to the end of the 18th century. Despite the city has being invaded and occupied several time through history, people in Vilnius have manage to preserve it well. The Old Town in Vilnius was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 just because the town "has preserved an impressive complex of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings as well as its medieval layout and natural setting". Anyway it’s hard to imagine how life was in the past, but history tells that it has been a busy town.

I could easily understand why Vilnius has been selected to be the European Capital of Culture 2009. When I walked around I thought to myself that the city has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I also find the local people very friendly, so Vilnius was for me a wonderful experience from beginning to end. It's a city of many charms and opportunities, from baroque beauties, exciting culture and art, to pretty girls and wild party life. I enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere in bars, discotheques and nightclubs, and sharing the local’s way of fun.

There are so many interested places to experience that a long weekend is not enough without running your feet off. Some interested places in addition to Gediminas Tower - Tower of the Upper Castle - are: The Cathedral, The catacombs below The Cathedral, The Bell Tower of the Cathedral, A monument to Grand Duke Gediminas, The KGB Museum, The Frank Zappa Monument, remains of Stalin monuments, old Jewish quarters, The National Museum, Three Crosses, The Ensemble of the Church of St Anne and the Church of St Francis and St Bernardino, The President’s Office, Vilnius University and The Town Hall. 

Vilnius is the largest city and the capital of Lithuania, with a population of 553,904. Over 850,000 live in Vilnius County. UNESCO evaluated the city of Vilnius in its activities for creating good neighbourhood relationships and as a civic community. In 2000-2001 it recognised Vilnius as a city of peace by presenting it with the “City of Peace Award” for the European and North American region. As the first of the new cities of the EU Member States, Vilnius will become the European Capital of Culture 2009. It will share this honour with the Austrian city of Linz.

In the early part of the 16th century, the Old Town was surrounded by a city wall thus defending the limits of the Old Town. There was a large complex of castles consisting of the Upper on Gediminas Hill, the Lower (at the foot of the hill) and the Crooked Castle (on the adjacent hill), the Grand Ducal Castle, the Cathedral, the House of Bishops and other buildings. Craftsmen’s shops, small shops, merchants’ houses, mansions of the nobility were situated there. Buildings and streets beyond the wall formed the suburbs.

This article continues in Part 2: Vilnius, Lithuania – The spirit of Europe’s largest old town! Part 2 of 2!

Stein Morten Lund, 23 February 2008

Additional information
Read about the wonderful Trakai Island Castle: Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania – from a battlefield, residence, prison to a wonderful historical architectural monument!

Read more about Lithuania on our global travel guide www.TravelExplorations.com

I bought a music CD with the title Deficitas where the Lithuanian pop group Isjunk Sviesa plays. It wakes up good memories from my stay in Vilnius. The city is real rock`n roll!