Vilnius City Guide travel tourist sightseeing attractions information

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Vilnius History Overview

There are some historians who believe that Vilnius was originally the 13th century town Voruta. though Vilnius itself is first documented in 1323 when Germans and Jews began to settle in the city. The original walls of the city were built between 1503 and 1522 and included nine gates. In the following three decades the city built numerous houses within the city walls. In 1579 it opened the Vilnius University which was established a Europe wide reputation for its scientific courses and accelerated the city’s population growth. It became one of international and cultural cities in Northern Europe.

The Russian Polish War (1654 -1667) halted the city’s growth when Russia troops, massacred the towns folk and burned much of the city to the ground. The city was rebuilt. In 1795 the Russian invaded Vilnius again and this time with exception of the Dawn Gate all of the city wall and its gates where destroyed. In 1812 it was briefly occupied by the Napoleon’s French Army en route for Moscow. In November1831, following an uprising, the Russians closed the university and tighten their repressive hold on the city which now had a population of over 200,000. In January 1863 another uprising was quelled and hundreds of people were publicly hung. Civil liberties became history and the Lithuanian and Polish languages outlawed.

In 1915 during WW1 Germany occupied the city. At the end of the war it was retaken by the Russians, then captured by the Poles and then once more by the Russians. Finally in 1920 the retreating Red Army following its defeat in the Battle of Warsaw by treaty gave it back to Lithuania. Later that year after a coup organised by Poland it became a Polish territory again. When WW2 began in 1939 it was seized by the Russians who declared it as part of Lithuania in exchange for using it as a military base. In 1941 it was occupied by Germany until it was retaken by the Red Army in 1944. The Russians remained there until 1991.

Sightseeing and Attractions in Vilnius

Vilnius is spoilt with an array of cultural and artistic splendour for inquisitive tourists. From Churches to Museums and Parks you are likely to relish the opportunity to expand your knowledge of Eastern European culture and history. The Old Town Vilnius is one Eastern Europe’s largest Old Towns. Vilnius’s history and cultural heritage is embedded in the 1500 buildings that illustrate the influences of several centuries of architecture. Vilnius is often described as being a Baroque city but it also has many examples of, Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.

For many visitors the Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square are prime examples of this city’s history and architecture as they are in the foreground of the Old Town. In reality they are only part of the story as behind these landmarks stands an intriguing Old Town which because of its its uniqueness, is  listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

European Park, Joneikiskiu Vilnius -n The European Park was founded by Lithuanian sculptor Gintaros Karosas. Its a renowned Park which entices many thousands of visitors every year. There is a restaurant shop and Post Office on site here. It’s located in the suburbs of Vilnius, a few miles to the North but is well worth the trip. 90 sculpture works are  showcased by artists from about 30 European countries. Opening times are daily from 10 am until sunset. admission fee is 25 LT’S Adults and 11 LT’s for Children. website http://www.europosparkas.lt/

The Holocaust Museum at Pamenkalnio 12 (Tel 262 07 30) is a museum which gives a history of Jewish life in Lithuania and details very concisely the Jewish experiences of WW2. Situated at  the  end of the road. website http://www.jewishgen.org/litvak/html/museum.htm

The National Museum at Arsenalo 1 (Tel 262 94 26) is very informative exhibition about the lifestyle of Lithuanians from the 13th century until today. It includes some carefully constructed models of the homes in which they lived.website http://www.lnm.lt/en/

Lithuanian Art Museum : Bokšto Str. 5, LT-01126, Vilnius The collections on this museum are situated in several locations in Vilnius. They include around 2,500 paintings dated from the 16th to the 19th centuries largely focused on portraits of nobility and clergy , There are also  around 8,000 drawings by European and Japanese artists since the 15th century. Additionally there are over 30,00 works from the 20th Century,and collections of paintings in water colours  sculptures and of photograph website http://www.ldm.lt/index_en.htm

The Planetarium at  Konstitulijios 12 (Tel 262 3092) is an interesting exhibition for anyone interested in astronomy. Not open at weekends. website http://planetarium.tfai.vu.lt/

The Gates of Dawn And Chapel at Ausro Vartu 12 (Tel 212 35 13) were built in the fortified walls to the city during the 16th century. Inside the gates there is a Chapel with an image of the Virgin Mary built in 1671. It was rebuilt in a neo-classical style in 1829. website http://www.lcn.lt/en/bl/sventoves/ausrosv/

Statue of Frank Zappa  Kalinausko Square Tallinn – Rock music enthusiasts may appreciate the only statue of this musician in the world which was erected in 1966

Annual Vilnius Festival Every July, concerts of jazz, folklore and classical music are held in Vilnius. These concerts have become more popular and the the festival is gaining international fame especially for its jazz sessions.

Restaurants In Vilnius

International restaurants in Vilnius seem to be a little scare and one very good find is The Polonezas at Naugorduko 76 (Tel 210 41 68). This genuinely Polish establishment serves a truly exceptional bistro which includes several types of meats and stewed cabbage. Well worth a visit. Possibly the best restaurant in Vilnius is The Ukrainos Vakarai at Algirido 5 (Tel 265 03 02). The cuisine here is authentic Ukrainian of the highest standard. There is a menu in English which illustrates how spoilt for choice diners are. The borsche is brilliant and a range of exceptional meat dishes. All this complimented by a bar full of goodies including a vodka flavoured with red chili peppers. A must ! – booking advisable

For good Lithuanian food try Lokys at Stikliu 8 (Tel 262 90 46) which is well established and offers a wide variety of game dishes, in a very intimate atmosphere. The Cili Kaimas at Vokieciu 8 (Tel 231 25 36) is a very professional Lithuanian restaurant with a reliable sauteed broccoli. This establishment has only recently opened and the choice on the menu is being extended slowly and surely and it is destined to figure in good guides.

The Aukstaiciai at Antokolskio 13 (Tel 210 01 69) serving traditional lithuanian food which appears to be very popular with locals. Fairly priced and you can by a real draught Guinness from the bar ! The Ad Astum at Seimyniskiu 21 (Tel 273 01 21) has to be one of Eastern Europe’s most unique restaurants. It has an international menu offering good food at very reasonable which you can watch being cooked at the grill in the centre of the a tastefully decorated room. Also on the menu is a sauna and small swimming pool. Rare – but could it be a precedent for an intimate meal out ?

Crime and Personal Safety & Security In Vilnius  Pick pocketing and bag snatching may occur on public transport, poorly lit streets, and in parks at night. Recently instances of pick pocketing in bars and restaurants have increased. Visitors should be avoid accepting drink and sometimes food from strangers in clubs and bars etc as these ‘gifts’ may be spiked in order to facilitate a robbery.

Car theft, or goods within the cars is also on the increase. Four wheel drives and more expensive cars are frequent targets.

Vilnius Tourist Board Information http://www.vilnius.lt/new/en/vadovybe.php