Lithuania, VILNIUS

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania. It lies on the bank of Neris river and has approxmately 560,000 inhabitants. Along with Linz, Austria, Vilnius was the European Capital of Culture in 2009.

Inhabited since the Middle Ages, Vilnius has always been a multinational city. Per the 1916 census, the population was made up as follows: 54% Polish, 41% Jewish, 2% Russian, and 2% Lithuanian. Per the 2001 census, the population was 57.8% Lithuanians, 18.7% Poles, 14% Russians, 4.0% Belarusians, 1.3% Ukrainians and 0.5% Jews. During World War II, 80,000 Jews from Vilnius were murdered by the Nazis Germans and the locals, at the forest of Ponar (Paneriai) and other nearby places. After the war, most of the urban Polish population moved to Poland, while during 1950 - 1970 urbanization they were replaced by people from other parts of Lithuania, neighbouring parts of Belarus, as well as Russia, Ukraine and other Soviet republics.

See

Old Town. Until the Holocaust, much of the Old Town was the Jewish ghetto. Most of the buildings date from the 13th-19th centuries. In 1994, the Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.




Gediminas Castle, (Climb up to it from the Cathedral Square or take the funicular on the other side of the hill, facing the river). The red-brick tower is restored from the Higher Castle erected in the 13th–14th centuries by Dukes of Lithuania. The top of the towers offer the best view of Vilnius.




Three Crosses Hill. A monument to seven Franciscan monks that were tortured here by pagans before the conversion of Lithuania to Christianity. Also symbolizes the importance of Christianity to Lithuania.




Vilnius Cathedral, Cathedral Square. An original cathedral was built here in 1251. In 1387 a Gothic style cathedral was built. Now it is a classical style cathedral build by the project of Laurynas Gucevicius. The most beautiful part of the Cathedral, the baroque chapel of St. Casimir, was built in 1623–1636. The crypt shows a cross section of Vilnius through the ages, well worth seeing. You can also take a tour through the catacombs under the cathedral. 57m high belfry. Outside the Cathedral, in the square, look for a particular tile on which there is written a word "Stebuklas" (means "miracle" in Lithuanian). Stand on it, make a wish and turn around three times. Your wish should come true :) This tile also marks the end of the Vilnius-Tallinn human chain in the 1989 protest of the Soviet Union.




Uzupis District. A largely unrestored area primarily occupied by artists, dreamers, squatters, and drunks. In 1998, the residents unofficially declared the area to be an independent republic, with its own president, anthem, flag, and constitution. Great to visit on April Fools day, when mock border guards stamp passports and the entire area erupts into a party.





St. Ann's Church, (Uzupis District). One of the most beautiful churches in Vilnius and in Lithuania. Very small in size, but a very beautiful example of gothic architecture. There is a legend that when during his conquests Napoleon came to Vilnius and saw this church he said he would like to take it on his palm and bring to France.

Angel of Uzupis Statue, Uzipio & Milunio gatve. Statue of an angel blowing a trumpet and standing on an egg.




St. Peter's and Paul's Church. Another shockingly beautiful church. Not so special from the outside, but extremely beautiful inside, with all the interior overcrowded with baroque sculptural works.

Artilery Bastion of Vilnius Defensive Wall. Museum of Genocide Victims aka KGB Museum.

National Museum of Lithuania. Frank Zappa Statue. The first statue in the world for honoring this great musician. Erected in 1995 by the local Frank Zappa fan club. Later a replica of the statue in Vilnius has been erected in Baltimore.

Cemeteries. There is an interesting Jewish cemetery in Seskine (a little outside the centre) including the grave of some very important rabbi. By the entrance to Vingis park is a war cemetery with Russian, German, and Turkish soldiers from both wars.


NIGHT LIFE




Drink

The most popular local beer is Svyturys, meaning lighthouse. Available in lots of different styles but "Ekstra" is probably the best. The other brands of beer include Kalnapilis, Tauro, and Utenos. All of them are variations on the theme of bog-standard euro-lager. If you're a beer enthusiast forget Svyturys and other big brands - try Bambalyne and Alaus namai (see section Bars).

Lithuanian vodka (Lithuanian "degtine") is of excellent quality. The brand 'Lithuanian Vodka' is quite popular. The gold is the premium version. Cranberry is also nice.

Drink Carefully as most bars will politely ask you to leave if they notice that you appear drunk (staggering, yelling, grabbing strangers). Falling asleep in bars is not tolerated. If you break a glass, many places will expect to be repaid for it on the spot but its usually a very reasonable price.

Clubs

BIX,
Brodvejus (Broadway)
Gravity
GalaxyHavana
L'Amour
Men's Factory Gay Club
Pacha Night Club
Prospekto Pub
Soho Club
Woo