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Medieval stone tower ruins atop a grassy hill with cobblestone stairs and trees in Vilnius

Vilnius

Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital of the northern European country Lithuania. Lithuania forms the Baltic States with Latvia and Estonia; Vilnius is the second largest city of the three countries in terms of population size.

Vilnius was first mentioned in the year 1323 and granted city right in the year 1387. The old town of Vilnius was 1994 declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and fifteen years later Vilnius was the European Capital of Culture.

The name of the city comes from the 79.6 km long river Vilnia. Vilnius is not the only name for the Nordic city, so it has or had the names Vilna, Wilna, Vilno, Vilno, Vilne and Wilno.

Aerial view of a winding cobblestone pathway with metal railings through green lawns beside historic white castle buildings with red roofs
Stone path leading to Vilnius Upper Castle ruins on grassy hill.

The tree of Vilnius Castle was begun in the 10th century. It lies on the Neris river, is built on a hill and should defend the city from attackers. Over the centuries parts of the castle were destroyed, but some survived. So also the Gediminas Tower which is a symbol of the city.

Historic brick castle tower on a grassy hillside with stone wall under cloudy sky
Ruins of the Upper Castle in Vilnius featuring red brick walls with Gothic arches, grassy hills, and cobblestone pathways under a dramatic cloudy sky
Brick wall with arched sections of Upper Castle in Vilnius.
Historic brick tower on a grassy hilltop viewed through bare tree branches
Medieval brick and stone castle tower with ascending stone staircase under overcast sky
Vilnius, Lithuania skyline under a cloudy sky.
Person meditating on a stone wall under a bright, cloudy sky.
Vilnius cityscape with river and modern bridge.
Panoramic cityscape of Vilnius with red-tiled rooftops, historic buildings, and the Vilnius TV Tower visible on the horizon under a cloudy sky.
Wide panoramic view of a historic European old town with red-tiled rooftops and church towers under a dramatic cloudy sky
three hooded bronze statues with golden faces on a city sculpture

The Three Muses on top of the entrance to the National Drama Theatre. The Muses represent drama, comedy and tragedy.

Street sign for Užupis Republic with multilingual text and pictograms on a historic European street

Before World War II, Vilnius was home to many Jews and therefore also bore the name "Jerusalem of the North". One popular neighborhood was Užupis, in the old town of Vilnius. The Lithuanian name can be translated to "the other side of the river".

Because of the Holocaust and the war the houses in Užupis were abandoned and later occupied mainly by homeless and prostitutes. After that a lot of artists moved in. In the 90s the residents of the place declared independency and called it Republic of Užupis.

Tourists photographing teapots on a graffiti-covered wall in Vilnius, Lithuania.
vintage teapots and ceramic vessels mounted on a graffiti-covered wall as street art installation
Ornate, dark blue teapot with gold and white detailing mounted on a wall.
Historic Orthodox church with central dome and ornate brick facade under clear blue sky in Vilnius
Sunlit cobblestone street in Vilnius Old Town lined with historic buildings, outdoor cafe seating, and a tower on a distant hill
abandoned brick building covered in graffiti murals with stone pathway and street lamp
Facade of Vilnius City Hall with wooden entrance door and two maroon flags
Neoclassical building with tall columns and hot air balloons scattered across a clear blue sky
Water fountain spraying in a historic European town square with classical buildings and hot air balloons in the sky
Fountain in Vilnius with hot air balloons in the sky.
Stone water fountain in a European town square with historic buildings under a clear blue sky
A person holding an umbrella sits on a wooden bench along a gravel path in a lush green public park lined with tall trees and lampposts.
Woman in bright orange coat walking along a paved path in a lush green park beside a rocky riverbank
Red sedan on an urban street in front of a weathered building with a large fashion billboard
Large fashion billboards on modern commercial building facade above busy urban bus stop
King Mindaugas monument in Vilnius, Lithuania.
White Orthodox cathedral with central dome and two flanking towers featuring reddish-brown conical roofs and golden crosses against a blue cloudy sky
White bell tower framed by classical columns beneath a blue sky

The 1783 completed Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius in the old town of Vilnius.

Neoclassical cathedral with a dark dome and columned portico framed by trees on a sunny day
Vilnius Cathedral bell tower and statue against a blue sky.
Reflection of Vilnius Cathedral in a puddle on a cobblestone pavement.
Person standing in a shaded area between pillars, overlooking a square with a church and people in the background.
Man carrying flowers walking in Vilnius Cathedral Square with Gediminas' Monument in background.
Black and white statue of a medieval knight holding a raised sword beside a horse, with a domed building behind
Gediminas' Tower in Vilnius, Lithuania, under a blue sky.
Vilnius
Next
Golden sunset glowing down a cobblestone street lined with historic buildings, ornate street lamps, and decorative overhead installations in Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius at Night

The capital of Lithuania at night time.
Medieval stone tower ruins atop a grassy hill with cobblestone stairs and trees in Vilnius

Vilnius

Golden sunset glowing down a cobblestone street lined with historic buildings, ornate street lamps, and decorative overhead installations in Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius at Night

Classical church facade with statues and cross against blue sky

Vilnius - Part 2

Large circular stone sculpture in historic town square with people and bicycle

Vilnius - Part 3

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