Vilnius
Gediminas Castle Tower
Gediminas Castle Tower marks the place where the great Grand Dukes of Old Lithuania once lived. Once upon a time, this castle was the crowning glory of the vast Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which dominated Europe. The castle was built by Grand Duke Gediminas who, according to legend, had a dream about an iron wolf whose call was so loud, it seemed like a thousand wolfs were howling. Mage Lizdeika explained to the Duke the meaning of this dream: he must build a city in this place, which would be famous around the world. At the beginning of the fourteenth century, Duke Gediminas sent letters to the merchants, craftsmen and artists of Western Europe, inviting them to settle in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania‘s Grand Duchy, promising them favourable lifestyle and trading conditions, along with freedom of religion and the ability to practice native traditions. In this way, Vilnius became a melting pot of the world’s cultures, religions and arts.
Republic of Užupis
Near the Old Town you will find the “Republic of Uzupis”, with its distinctive scents and atmosphere. Tourists from far away can actually receive a visa for their passports from this “Republic”. In Uzupis, one might think that you are actually in a different country, functioning under its own set of rules. It also seems that the walls and gateways of Uzupis express a certain kind of humour: this formerly poor neighbourhood, which had a functioning brothel quarter and a very poor reputation for security, is now one of the most prestigious and expensive neighbourhoods in the City. What was formerly known as “Death Street”, is now guarded by Uzupis’ symbol – the sculpture of Angel with a trumpet announcing the great possibilities in this neighbourhood.
Republic of Užupis
Near the Old Town you will find the “Republic of Uzupis”, with its distinctive scents and atmosphere. Tourists from far away can actually receive a visa for their passports from this “Republic”. In Uzupis, one might think that you are actually in a different country, functioning under its own set of rules. It also seems that the walls and gateways of Uzupis express a certain kind of humour: this formerly poor neighbourhood, which had a functioning brothel quarter and a very poor reputation for security, is now one of the most prestigious and expensive neighbourhoods in the City. What was formerly known as “Death Street”, is now guarded by Uzupis’ symbol – the sculpture of Angel with a trumpet announcing the great possibilities in this neighbourhood.
Lukiškės prison
For 118 years, Lukiškės Prison was guarded by high walls and barbed wire, but today the site is open to the public. Transformed from a prison to an artistic venue, the new version – Lukiškės Prison 2.0 – is home to 250 creators and artists, and is a place where curious individuals can learn and explore. Many cultural, music and art events frequently take place in designated areas of the prison. For instance, a British electronic music project titled Jungle took place in mid-May, the SIRENOS ‘21 theatre festival was held back in October, and the Bix Berlin ‘89 concert took place in September to commemorate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, among other local and international projects. All the current activities are carried out with the utmost respect for the prison’s past, while honouring the people who served sentences here for over one hundred years. Sit down to enjoy a refreshing drink, attend a concert or take a tour to get a glimpse of life in the former prison. This unique space has also become a star of the silver screen. The location can be easily transforms to depict various spaces, and has served as the backdrop for some world-famous movies and TV series.
Trakai Island Castle
Take a short trip from Vilnius to find a hidden, slow-paced haven – the little historic town and lake resort called Trakai. This place was treasured by the Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as their capital, and is still loved by locals and visitors for its astonishing natural features, traditional Karaim cuisine and amazing views of Trakai Island Castle. Take a look at our Top Five reasons to go out of your way and spend some time outside Vilnius.
Trakai Island Castle
Take a short trip from Vilnius to find a hidden, slow-paced haven – the little historic town and lake resort called Trakai. This place was treasured by the Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as their capital, and is still loved by locals and visitors for its astonishing natural features, traditional Karaim cuisine and amazing views of Trakai Island Castle. Take a look at our Top Five reasons to go out of your way and spend some time outside Vilnius.
Adventures in the air
Get the best view of the castle and lake from the air. A hot air balloon will definitely give you a whole new take on the serene scenery of the green forests, impressive lake and the winding roads, as well as the day-to-day life of the little town. If you’re more adventurous, you can try paragliding over Trakai – it’s a great experience for beginners and skilled paragliders alike. Don’t really want to try it yourself? Watch the professionals do it at the Lithuanian Open Paragliding Accuracy Championship held on 16-17 February.