10 tourist attractions in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, with its Old Town, a World Heritage Site!

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, one of the three Baltic states, has many tourist spots where you can enjoy world heritage sites and beautiful historical buildings. Vilnius is the only inland capital of the three countries and has a different atmosphere from the other two capitals. Just walking through the cute streets with amber-colored roofs is a wonderful tourist destination that will make you feel happy.

In this article, we will introduce 10 carefully selected recommended tourist spots in Vilnius where you can enjoy the European atmosphere.

1. Vilnius Old Town

Vilnius is known for having one of the largest remaining old towns in Europe, and is registered as a World Heritage Site as the "Vilnius Historic Center." Within the designated area, various types of buildings, including Baroque and Renaissance styles, stand side by side, creating a beauty that makes you feel as if you have traveled back to the Middle Ages.

The area is home to some of the most popular tourist spots in Vilnius, and the security is good, so you can enjoy sightseeing at night. The cobblestone streets have some steep ups and downs, so it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes when sightseeing.

Popular tourist spots in Vilnius, such as the Church of St. Peter and Paul, Getiminas Tower, and the Gate of Dawn, are also located in Vilnius Old Town. Not only are there famous buildings, but the streetscape itself is beautiful, so please take your time to walk around.

2. Church of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is a popular tourist spot located in the northeast of Vilnius Old Town. The reason for this lies in the interior of the church. The stunning beauty of the pure white stucco sculptures on the ceiling is hard to imagine from the simple exterior.

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul has a long history, having been built over a period of 30 years starting in 1668. It was built to commemorate Lithuania's liberation from Russia, and among the more than 2,000 stucco sculptures, some depict the history of war. Behind the sculptures of angel motifs is a skull and the Grim Reaper, making this a tourist spot that gives a sense of the sad history behind its beauty.

3. St. Anne's Church

St. Anne's Church is a tourist spot with a beautiful amber-colored brick exterior located along the Vilne River in the Old Town of Vilnius. St. Anne's Church is a Gothic building built between 1495 and 1500 using the best technology of the time, and 33 different types of bricks were used. Therefore, the contrast between the slightly different hues of the amber bricks and the blue sky is very beautiful, and many tourists take photos of the church from various angles.

In contrast to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, St. Anne's Church stands out from the outside, but the interior is simple. However, the stained glass is very beautiful, so be sure to stop by the church. There is an anecdote that when Napoleon saw St. Anne's Church, he wanted to take it back to France, so it is one of the most beautiful and impressive churches in Europe.

4. Gediminas Castle Tower

Gediminas Castle Tower is a fortress built on a hill overlooking the old town of Vilnius. Gediminas Castle Tower is the name of the Grand Duke of Lithuania who built Vilnius. It can be said to be a symbol of Vilnius and is also depicted on Lithuanian banknotes. You can walk or take a cable car to the castle ruins on the mountain.

From the Gediminas Castle Tower at the western end of the hill, you can see a panoramic view of Vilnius cityscape! After strolling around Vilnius' old town, take another look at the beautiful cityscape from the top of Gediminas Castle Tower.

5. KGB Museum

Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The KGB Museum in Vilnius is a museum about the Committee for State Security of the Soviet Union (KGB), the secret police of the former Soviet Union. Its official name is the Museum of Genocide Victims, and there is a memorial monument in front of the entrance, with the names of those who died there engraved on it. In the basement, torture chambers and execution rooms are displayed as they were at the time, and although there are some heart-wrenching exhibits, it is a valuable place where you can learn more about the sad history of Lithuania.

It is also a place that makes you realize that the reason you can safely tour this beautiful city of Vilnius is because the Lithuanian people have overcome their sad history. Some exhibits are quite stimulating, so please be careful if you are not good with such things.

6. Bank and Numismatic Museum of Lithuania

The Bank of Lithuania and Numismatic Museum is a tourist spot attached to the Bank of Lithuania, located close to Vilnius Old Town. The museum is set in a building belonging to a wealthy Vilnius businessman, and inside you can see the currencies of various countries on display. The euro has a different design for each member country, and you can see all of them at the Numismatic Museum. There are many interesting exhibits related to money, such as old money, checks, and old bank signs.

Admission is free, which is a great plus for tourists. The museum is located on Kediminas Avenue, so please be aware that the entrance is a little difficult to find. The exhibits are designed with quizzes and other ideas, making it a tourist spot that is also fun for children.

7. Bernardine Gardens

Located at the end of the Vilnius River, the Bernardine Gardens are a beautifully manicured park with greenery where you can enjoy strolling and resting. It is a tourist spot where you can feel the tranquil atmosphere of Vilnius, and it is also recommended for families as it has a playground for children. Wi-Fi is available in the gardens, so you can surf the internet in a relaxing natural environment.

The Bernardine Gardens are the former royal palace gardens, and the well-maintained grounds are filled with many flowers that bloom depending on the season. There is also a pond where ducks swim and benches where you can rest, so take your time and stroll while looking up at the Vilnius sky.

8. Gate of Dawn

Originally, there were nine gates in the Old Town of Vilnius, but today only the Gate of Dawn remains. Inside the gate is a chapel, and the portrait of the Virgin Mary enshrined there is said to perform miracles. For this reason, the Gate of Dawn is not only a tourist attraction in Vilnius, but also a pilgrimage site for devout Christians, and is visited by many people.

Thousands of offerings are displayed around the portrait, showing how much faith it attracts. It can be said that this tourist spot has played an important role in Vilnius from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Name: Aušros vartai
Address: Aušros Vartų g. 14, Vilnius 01304
Official/related site URL: https://goo.gl/z5Bupp

9. Vilnius Cathedral

Vilnius Cathedral is impressive with its palace-like exterior and 53-meter-tall bell tower. It was originally built when Lithuania adopted Christianity in 1251. The current magnificent building was extensively renovated in the 18th century in the Baroque style. The statues of St. Stanislaus, St. Helen, and St. Casimir on the roof were removed during the Soviet era but were reinstalled in 1996.

With such a history, Vilnius Cathedral is beautiful both inside and out and is now a tourist spot that attracts many tourists. You can see pure white stucco sculptures and frescoes, and enjoy the unique decoration.

10. Church of the Holy Spirit

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a tourist spot located shortly after entering Vilnius Old Town from the Gate of Dawn. It is the central church of the Russian Orthodox Church and is characterized by its colorfulness. First of all, the entrance gate is cute with its light pink rounded shape.

Once inside the church, you will be surprised by how even more colorful it is. The altar is green, the ceiling is light blue, and many other colors are used, making it very vivid to the eye! There are several churches in Vilnius Old Town, and each one has its own unique characteristics, which makes sightseeing fun. In addition, the bodies of three saints were placed here 700 years ago, and it is believed by Vilnius locals to have healing powers.

◎Summary

We have introduced 10 recommended tourist spots in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. We hope you have seen that Vilnius has many unique tourist spots, centered around the Old Town, a World Heritage Site.

Be sure to visit Vilnius, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which at its peak had influence even on the Black Sea coast.

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10 tourist attractions in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, with its Old Town, a World Heritage Site!