About Lithuania
Population: 3.7 mln
Territory: 65.300 km²
Lithuania is one of the Baltic States, that recently joined the European Union. Lithuania's coastline extends 99 km along the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The country has borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation.
The state language is Lithuanian, one of only two surviving languages of the Baltic branch of the Indo–European language family. The ancestors of Lithuanians were Balt tribal groups that first were united in the mid–13th century by duke Mindaugas, who became the first and only king of Lithuania. During the reign of grand duke Gediminas in the 14th century, part of Russian lands was annexed and Lithuania's borders reached the Black Sea. Lithuania was the last country in Eastern Europe to accept Christianity (1387 – 1413), and nowadays 98% Lithuanians identify themselves as Catholics.
Lithuania was the first republic to break away from the Soviet Union, declarating its independence on March 11th, 1990. On the 17th of September 1991, Lithuania joined the United Nations and began to enjoy its recovered status as a nation. Today, Lithuania is an independent democratic republic, with an elected President as the head of state and an elected parliament called the Seimas.
Nature has been generous to Lithuania. It is the country of rolling hills and broad plains, quietly flowing rivers and hazy lakes, which reflect the blueness of the sky. Just over one quarter of Lithuania is forested, in particular the southwest of the country. There are five national parks in Lithuania and a number of nature reserves. The largest river, the Nemunas, carries the waters to the Baltic Sea – to Lithuania's famous "amber" coast. Lithuania's seaside is distinguished by the Curonian Spit, a bank of sand dunes, pine forests, beaches, a lagoon and seacoasts that stretches from the southwest to the seaport of Klaipėda and encloses the vast Curonian Bay.
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Vilnius
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, was founded in 1323 when Grand Duke Gediminas built a castle on the bank of the river Neris. Today, the remains of the castle are one of the main landmarks of the city with a population of nearly 600.000.
Vilnius serves as Lithuania's centre of political, economic and cultural life.
Vilnius is a vivid city with one of the oldest, most charming and largest (360 ha) Old Towns in Eastern Europe. Because of its uniqueness, the Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Old Town is a place where the blend of greatest architectural styles of Europe, i.e. Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical styles makes this city wonderful to explore.
Vilnius is a safe and comfortable sized city, where everyone will find a place to be. Festivals, concerts, theatre and exhibitions will fascinate those who are interested in cultural life. Sports events, tours, recreation or outdoor activities will captivate individuals with an active lifestyle. Cafes, restaurants and clubs with live music performances will help everyone to relax...
It's time for you to explore the city!
Vilnius Highlights
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Churches
The church of Saint Anne, constructed in 16th century, is considered by many to be a gothic masterpiece. The renaissance had a short–lived influence on the city although the movement has left some striking monuments, notably the 16th century Gates of Dawn of the defence wall, Saint Michael's church, and some of the University courtyards.
The 17th century Saints Peter and Paul's church is the pearl of Vilnius' baroque architecture. Its interior is adorned with approximately 2.000 biblical, mythological and historical statues.
Classicism reached Vilnius by the end of the 18th century, giving the city its City Hall, the Verkiai Manor and the Cathedral. An outstanding Lithuanian architect, Laurynas Stuoka–Gucevičius, designed the Cathedral on the idea that the beauty of a building should not be determined by its ornamentation, but by the harmony between its parts and the whole.
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Gates of Dawn
The 16th century Gates of Dawn originally formed part of the town fortifications, being built into the original city wall. In 1671 Carmelites built a chapel in the gates dedicated to the holy Virgin Mary, reputed for miracle–working powers. The chapel's interior was renovated in the neo-classical style in 1829. The chapel was visited by Pope John Paul II during his stay in Lithuania.
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Gediminas Castle Museum
Climb the 78 steps up the western tower of the Higher Castle and admire a breathtaking view of the city. Dating from the 13th century, the castle was rebuilt in 1419 by Grand Duke Vytautas following the great fire of Vilnius. In 1610 it was used as a prison for the ruling classes, and during the 1655-1661 Russian occupation the towers and defensive walls were almost completely destroyed, with serious restoration work only beginning in 1930. Inside the tower itself find models of the castle as it was in the 14th and 18th centuries, plus other miscellaneous bits and pieces concerned with the building's history.
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Vilnius University
Established in 1579, Vilnius University's ensemble is comprised of ancient buildings, located in the old city. One of the most outstanding centres of Lithuanian science and culture – the University's library – has worked for 429 uninterrupted years, with a printing-house since 1631. There are twelve of these courtyards in the Vilnius University architectural ensemble; also noteworthy are the magnificent interiors. All of this, as an indivisible whole, is a compact, finished work of architecture and art, manifesting the multinational cultural heritage of Vilnius.
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Useful Links
About Lithuania:
- www.balticsworldwide.com/tourist/lithuania/
- www.travel-lithuania.com
- www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/lithuania/
- www.visitlithuania.net/
- www.travel.lt
- www.lietuva.lt
About Vilnius:
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