Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, a very beautiful European city. It was founded in the XIV century, and many buildings have survived since that time. Vilnius stands at the place where the rivers Vilnia and Neris merge. The picturesque surroundings, forests and hills around Vilnius are also a kind of attraction.
Like many other ancient cities in Europe, Vilnius began to be built from the City Hall, which is now the administrative center. The Town Hall is located on Didjøyi - this is the main and largest street in the Old Town, and you must definitely walk it all the way. The street, whose name in Russian translates as Great, originates from the Cathedral Square, and ends at the 16th century chapel-gate of Ausros Vartai. The chapel is a famous landmark, it is there that the icon of the Virgin Mary is located, which is especially famous in the countries of Eastern Europe.
The symbol of the city and statehood in Lithuania is the Gediminas Tower. On a hill called the Castle Hill, Gediminas Castle itself was once located, but all that remains of it today is this tower. In the past, powerful majestic fortifications could frighten the most serious enemies, but even today, a lonely tower can inspire awe. At the top of the Gediminas Tower there is an observation deck, which can be climbed by an internal staircase. The sight of the old city stretching below is simply breathtaking, so you should definitely get there.
The most picturesque and ancient district of the city is called Uzupis, which translates as District. It was once a suburb, but today it is a full-fledged part of Vilnius. We can say that this is a kind of Lithuanian Montmartre, a district of artists and painters, a city within a city. Uzupis even has its own flag, president, constitution, and a small army of a dozen men. You need to walk around this area, look at the most interesting buildings, meeting artists' workshops on your way. In the past, it was possible to live very inexpensively in Uzupis, so many artists settled and set up their workshops here, and now this area is considered the focus of the creative people of Vilnius.
Vilnius University, built in the 16th century, is one of the oldest in all of Europe. It is so large that it occupies a small area in the Old Town. In addition to its architectural features, the University is famous for its library, which was founded almost in the same year as the Oxford one. Vilnius University graduates are famous people, including Yanka Kupala, Adam Mitskevich, Taras Shevchenko and others.
Vilnius cathedrals and churches subtly unite some special spirit of the city, the most interesting buildings that are worth seeing: the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus, the Church of St. Anne and the Church of St. Francis and Bernard.
