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VILNIUS
A LEGENDARY VIEWPOINT
In Vilnius there are different places to appreciate the city from an elevated point of view. It is very important to get to know and dominate the space through which you will walk so you could control the distances, distinguish the important monuments and get a different perspective of the city that you have at your feet.
In the small city of Vilnius, we propose two spots to enjoy its impressive skyline. One viewpoint will be best suited for those who are more independent and active, those who would like to walk and get to know unexpected places. The other one will be more convenient for those who prefer a more comfortable and central option.
The first point we would like to recommend is based on Bald Hill, where the Three Crosses are located. From there you will be able to see practically the whole city. To get to enjoy this panoramic viewpoint outdoors you will have to walk a kilometre and a half for about 30 minutes from the Cathedral.
Many people wonder what the story around these Three Crosses is since the monument can be seen practically from anywhere in the city. It is said that in the XIII century some Christian monks arrived in Vilnius to Christianise its population. People at the time were still reluctant to adopt the new religion so they crucified some monks and thrown others into the Neris River to see if their God helped them. In the XVII century, in memory of these friars, wooden crosses were raised in the hill which where replaced in 1916 by white ones. Those crosses where also destroyed by order of the Soviets in the 1950s. The ones that you will find today were built in 1989 and constitute a symbol of mourning and freedom for the Lithuanian people.
This is an important place of pilgrimage in the country, so you will find many local people there. Without a doubt, the views of the whole city from here are wonderful and the place has a special aura which is even better if you go up during the sunset.
The monument of the Three Crosses is located in Kalnai Park and can be accessed on foot through a path in a forest, later, you will have to climb a staircase with more than 250 steps. It certainly seems like an arduous route but everyone who reaches the top ensures that the walk and the views are worth it.
For those who would prefer the more comfortable option of a viewpoint, we suggest to climb the bell tower of the Cathedral. It has an altitude of 50 meters high and from there, you will have a very nice view of Vilnius´s down town.
Location:
Three Crosses: Trys kryziai: Kalnu parkas, Vilnius
Bell Tower - Sventaragio g., Vilnius
MEAD, HYDROMEL OR LITHUANIAN HONEYED WINE We would like to invite you to taste what they say is the oldest alcoholic beverage in Lithuania, the mead. The drink is also known as hydromel or honeyed wine, but in Lithuanian is called “mead”. We found the first mention of this drink in the ninth century, and its oldest recipe is from the mid-16th century. The mead brand called Midus is the most famous and traditional. This liquor is the most long-established in the country and was used in a ceremonial and symbolic sense in all kinds of religious acts. Later, it became the favourite drink of noble and rich families. The main characteristic of this beverage is its sweetness. It is common to have it on its own in a bar or drink it as an accompaniment for a dish of cheeses, pâtés or meats. Although the oldest recipe told us that it was brewed with water, honey, lemon and herbs such as thyme, dill and cinnamon, the brewing process now-days is much simpler. In fact, it is very usual for Lithuanians to make their own mead. For a homemade production it would only be necessary to have water, honey and fresh yeast. First, we would have to heat the water, pour the honey and, then, carefully, add the yeast in a container where the liquid will be left to rest for its fermentation. The most complicated part of this recipe is to add the yeast, on the other hand, the bit that requires most patience is the fermentation process. At least we will have to let it wait for 15 days, having in mind that, the more it rest, the more alcohol our drink will have. There are some brands of mead for sale that have a fermentation process of 90 days and reach up to 50 degrees of alcohol. The one we wrote here would be the basic recipe, to it you can add different fruits, herbs, spices or even make it with other hop varieties which will provide a different type of fermentation. Since the main ingredient in the production of the mead is honey, the healthy properties of this drink are multiple, for example, it soothes the sore throat. On top of that, it receives other qualities from the fermentation process which are very helpful for the digestive system. In Vilnius you will be able to find many different brands and versions of hydromel, from the lightest one to those that reach 50 degrees of alcohol. Don´t worry, if you wish to take back home a bottle of mead, you will be able to find it in almost any liquor store.
PILIES GATVE IN THE HEART OF VILNIUS Now we invite you to walk through one of the most famous and notorious streets of this city, its Lithuanian name is Pilies gatve or Pilies street and is most known as the street of the tourists. We are talking about one of the busiest and most touristic streets of the old town of Vilnius since it holds many cafes, restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops. In addition, it has numerous museums and churches that we can get to visit while we do some shopping. The street starts very close to the Cathedral, next to the tourist office, and it extends itself for almost a kilometer. If we want, we can add another section which will take us to the famous Gate of Dawn, the only entrance of the old city that has been preserved. If we walk the original street and this added second part, we face almost a kilometre and a half of route to enjoy all kind of narrow streets, churches, shops, restaurants and bars. There, you will discover multiple gift shops and bookstores where you could get the classic souvenirs such as potteries, wooden artefacts, lace decorations, small handcrafts, dolls or magnets. It is also worth visiting the "Pilies Pasazas 6" courtyard, where you can find more original and artisanal souvenirs from all over the country. One of the most famous places this street holds is the "Pilies sokoladine" or AJ Chocolate Restaurant, where they claim to sell the most delicious and special chocolates in the city. The famous amber of the Baltic deserves a special mention in our shopping section, and we do not forget it. It is one of the five amber types existing in the world and is known as the "gold of the Baltic". In this famous street and its surrounding area, you will find many specialised shops to buy anything crafted with this luxurious material, from jewellery to small figurines, keychains or pendants. If you are very interested in knowing the origin and history of amber, you should head to the nearby museum dedicated to this mineral on Sv. Mykolo g. 8 Street. For the lovers of luxury clothing, we recommend to walk towards the Town Hall. There are different boutiques where you can meet your extravagant needs and indulge yourself with a high class remembrance of your visit to the Baltic capital.
A GREEK TEMPLE IN VILNIUS? The Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius is one of the most photographed places in Vilnius´s old town. Once we are in front of it, the exterior of the temple will transports us to the Greek temples. For those who have visited the French capital, the facade of this cathedral will also remind you of La Madeleine in Paris. On the ledge of the facade of this church we can see the statues of Saint Casimir, Saint Stanislaus and Saint Helena. Locals and tourists use this square as a meeting point, it is the perfect start line from where you can begin to wander around and get to know the city. The Cathedral has endure different modifications and multiple uses throughout its history. It was born as a Christian church in the XIII century until it became a pagan worship temple. Finally, in the XIV century, the Polish king and Lithuanian Grand Duke Wladyslaw II Jagiello ordered the construction of a Catholic church in Gothic style in this same spot. Soon, the temple suffered a fire that destroyed it and was subsequently rebuilt in order to be the burial site of the great Lithuanian dukes. The current building is the result of a reconstruction that took place in the XVIII century. The restoration respected some original parts and kept the Gothic structure. The most important highlights include the Royal Chapel or the Chapel of Saint Casimir built in the first third of the XVII century. During the Soviet period the church became into a warehouse and later into a gallery and concert hall. At the end of the communist era in 1989, the cathedral regained its function and became the most important spiritual point of the capital. The now-days belfry was originally a circular tower that formed part of the city´s defensive wall until the XVI century. Then, it was decided it would become the bell tower of the cathedral and acquired that octagonal shape that can be seen today. There are many legends around the origin of the tower bells and its nice melody. As a curiosity, the clock marks the hours and the bells ring every fifteen minutes to warn us as the time goes by. To have an impressive panorama of the city, you can climb the tower and get a different view of this incredible temple. Which is the most original photo you are able to take? Will it be from the top of the bell tower? From the heart of the square? We encourage you to get to know the cathedral and take the best picture
THE CHURCH OF RAMINTOJA, A DIFFERENT CHURCH Vilnius was known as the Jerusalem of the North and, even today, it is the city that has the most churches by number of inhabitants of the entire world. On your visit to the Lithuanian capital you will find numerous temples. Some of the most famous would be the Catholic Cathedral, the Church of St. Casimir, the Church of St. Theresa, the Orthodox Cathedral of the Theotokos, the Church of St. Johns (St John the Baptist and St. John the Apostole and Evangelist, which is part of Vilnius University), and so on. However, there is a different church in Vilnius´s old town halfway between the Cathedral and Gate of Dawn, which is only knew by few. This temple is run in an original way, by an original priest, in an original place. We are talking about a very modern and human church which keeps gaining followers currently. It is the Church of Ramintoja or the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation. For those who are immediately curious, you can use your Facebook app and search for "Ramintoja". In two seconds you will have access to its official profile that has more than 6 000 followers. The old church was used during Soviet times as a warehouse, but, in recent times, it has been used for the celebration of holy mass among other things. It has a website where you can meet different support groups for people who experience depression and anxiety, along with community activities, social projects, and, of course, religious ceremonies. The priest in charge is called Algirdas Toliatas, he is over 40 years old and was ordained as a priest in 2007. Surprisingly, he is also head of the Lithuanian police. In short, he is a priest of the XXI century very popular in the country for his way of
WANT TO KNOW THE REPUBLIC OF UŽUPIS?
Užupis means "beyond the river – at the other bank of the river" and is, undoubtedly, one of the most striking areas of Vilnius. It is a bohemian neighbourhood such as the Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is residence to hippies and artists who have been decorating and adapting the streets and houses of the area to their liking and convenience.
Užupis is a neighbourhood located behind the Vilnia River (or Vilnele), very close to the old town. During World War II the area was depopulated and very much destroyed. After the Act of Independence of Lithuania, in the 1990s, all kinds of bohemian characters moved here because of the low prices of rents and real estate. Thanks to their wit, spirit and creativity this part of the city was given a second life.
It is called the Republic of Užupis because, although its independence is not recognised by any government, they have their own president, constitution, rules of behaviour and up to two churches. As you walk through this unusual neighbourhood you will feel the artistic freedom of its atmosphere, common in this unique district.
Its Constitution is translated into different languages and consists of 43 articles including: "Everyone has the right to live near the Vilnele Vilnia River and the Vilnele River has the right to flow close to all. Everyone is entitled to hot water, heating in winter and a roof. Everyone has the right to die, but it is not an obligation. Everyone has the right to be wrong, to be unique, to love or not to be loved (but not necessarily), right to be insignificant and unknown, to be lazy and to do nothing. A dog has the right to be a dog, everyone has the right to care for a dog until either of them dies, to be happy or unhappy, to remain silent, to have faith. Right to have several nationalities, to understand or to understand nothing. But no one has the right to use violence..."
We invite you to spend some time strolling around the streets of this unusual republic so you could discover the surreal sculptures that flood its streets and the workshops of the artists. Maybe you could even think of coming to live here, because... who would not like to settle in a place like this?
THE JEWISH GHETTO The area we suggest you to wonder around is very small but important. It is a historical place where the most of the town´s Jewish population were confined between 1941 and 1943, the old ghetto of Vilnius. Prior to World War II, Vilnius was known as the "Jerusalem in the North", it had a high population of Jews. About 240 000 Jews lived in the country at this time (adding up the ones that arrived from Poland). After the war, only about 10 000 survived. From September 1941 to September 1943 more than 40 000 Jews were locked in two ghettos in the city, most of them, were subsequently destined to the Paneriai camp. The city of Vilnius suffered irreparable damages during what was the most tragic period in its history. Thousands of lives and its cultural identity were lost. We suggest a stroll to explore the streets where the Jewish ghetto was located before World War II in Vilnius´s old town. You´ll find it around Stikliu St., Gaono St., Zydu St. or Ligonines St. You will be able to find are some maps that recall the existence of those Jewish ghettos. Next to Rudininku gatve Street, you will find a plaque pointing out where the only gateway to the Vilnius Ghetto was. You can also find a map on Stikliu Didzioji street´s corner. In the tourist office are some prints where the main streets of this area are highlighted. Except for those two plaques, there are only a couple of buildings that take us 80 years ago. On Pylimo gatve Street we would find the Choral Synagogue, which can be visited. This temple served as a pharmaceutical warehouse during those sad years and, therefore, survived the destruction wrought by Nazi troops. Also, at the end of Zydu gatve street we can find the bust and the house of the Vilna Gaon Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, a Jewish man who, being only six years old, recited the whole Talmud by heart. In recent years an initiative called "Walls That Remember" has emerged on this neighbourhood. It allows us to explore and discover this area in a different way, also touching, but focusing on a creative and colourful perspective. This project aims to pay tribute to the Jewish community of Lithuania and seeks not to forget that awful part of its history, so it would never be repeated. The idea is to create graffiti based on real people, remembering moments of their life before 1941 and portraying them through modern murals and spray paintings based on real photographs. Up to 2020 only five works have been made, but the idea is to create more murals throughout the neighbourhood to give a special meaning and energy to the place and recover some of that lost cultural identity.
THE JEWISH GHETTO The area we suggest you to wonder around is very small but important. It is a historical place where the most of the town´s Jewish population were confined between 1941 and 1943, the old ghetto of Vilnius. Prior to World War II, Vilnius was known as the "Jerusalem in the North", it had a high population of Jews. About 240 000 Jews lived in the country at this time (adding up the ones that arrived from Poland). After the war, only about 10 000 survived. From September 1941 to September 1943 more than 40 000 Jews were locked in two ghettos in the city, most of them, were subsequently destined to the Paneriai camp. The city of Vilnius suffered irreparable damages during what was the most tragic period in its history. Thousands of lives and its cultural identity were lost. We suggest a stroll to explore the streets where the Jewish ghetto was located before World War II in Vilnius´s old town. You´ll find it around Stikliu St., Gaono St., Zydu St. or Ligonines St. You will be able to find are some maps that recall the existence of those Jewish ghettos. Next to Rudininku gatve Street, you will find a plaque pointing out where the only gateway to the Vilnius Ghetto was. You can also find a map on Stikliu Didzioji street´s corner. In the tourist office are some prints where the main streets of this area are highlighted. Except for those two plaques, there are only a couple of buildings that take us 80 years ago. On Pylimo gatve Street we would find the Choral Synagogue, which can be visited. This temple served as a pharmaceutical warehouse during those sad years and, therefore, survived the destruction wrought by Nazi troops. Also, at the end of Zydu gatve street we can find the bust and the house of the Vilna Gaon Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, a Jewish man who, being only six years old, recited the whole Talmud by heart. In recent years an initiative called "Walls That Remember" has emerged on this neighbourhood. It allows us to explore and discover this area in a different way, also touching, but focusing on a creative and colourful perspective. This project aims to pay tribute to the Jewish community of Lithuania and seeks not to forget that awful part of its history, so it would never be repeated. The idea is to create graffiti based on real people, remembering moments of their life before 1941 and portraying them through modern murals and spray paintings based on real photographs. Up to 2020 only five works have been made, but the idea is to create more murals throughout the neighbourhood to give a special meaning and energy to the place and recover some of that lost cultural identity.
BERNARDINE GARDEN Located east of the old town, on the right bank of the Vilnia River (Vilnele) we can find the Bernardine Garden, the lung of Vilnius. It is surrounded by the Cathedral, the hill with the Three Crosses and the Republic of Uzupis. It is a true haven of peace and the perfect place to stop for a while and catch your breath. Built behind the Bernardine Church of St. Francis of Assisi and St Bernardine of Siena, this park of almost 10 hectares was created in the second half of the XV century, when Bernardine monks settled in the capital invited by King Casimir IV Jagiellon. Its location is unbeatable, as it has a beautiful green space next to a meander of the river with a wide walking and distraction area. In addition to the recreational areas and playgrounds for children, it holds a botanical and plant exhibition next to the Bernardine Monastery. You can also find a giant chess board to play and checkers boards. In the centre of the park, you will find a huge fountain and multiple benches where you can pause to take a breath and admire the hill and its Three Crosses. At dusk, there is usually a sound and light show around this fountain with a fixed time schedule. As a natural attraction, the oldest oak in the city (Bernardinu sodo ažuolas - seniausias Vilniaus ažuolas) is worth a visit. It is located practically on the bank of the river, next to the Fluxus Tiltas Bridge that opens the way to the Republic of Uzupis. As a curiosity, this garden was closed and destroyed during World War II, but the Soviets recovered it and named it the "Youth Garden". Why, do you think, they would call it that? Location: Bernardine Park – Sereikiskiu Parko Bernardinu Soda You can access it surrounding the Bernardine Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Vilniaus šv. Pranciškaus Asyžiecio (Bernardinu) parapija) located in Maironio gatvé. 10. Open daily from 06:00 am to 11:00 pm. Free access.
