See

Everything you need to become an expert on Vilnius's sights.

Much of the interest in a city for the tourist is the influence of it's history, so here is a very brief history of the area.


Although there had been people on the site, where the city lies, for about a thousand years, legend suggests that Vilnius was founded in the 1320s. It was when the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas, who was on a hunting trip, dreamt of an iron wolf that howled with the voices of a hundred wolves, and he took this as a sign to build a city as mighty as the wolf's cry.

The 14th century saw Vilnius as a fortified town built on Gediminas Hill. It's walls and towers offering protection to the townsfolk. This period brought prosperity to the town, which was extended and many Gothic buildings erected.

In the 16th century, Vilnius was one of the biggest cities in Eastern Europe and many changes took place through into the 17th century. By this time it had a cathedral, university and Baroque architecture was being introduced.

By the 19th century there was Russian rule in the region. This century saw the arrival of industrialisation and the railways. It had also become an important Jewish city earning it the name 'Jerusalem of Lithuania'.

It was in the 20th century that World Wars I and II both brought German occupation, and the city was badly affected by the extermination of it's Jewish community. It was in 1939 however, that Stalin handed Vilnius to Lithuania and became it's capital.

Vilnius of today is the result of it's turbulent history, and it was still the subject of significant change right up to recent times with the people's fight for independence from the Soviet Union. It has struggled to become a European city, but it's status has been raised internationally by inviting foreign investment, and a European Bank loan, has ensured development of the city's infrastructure.

This is a captivating city that has an old world charm and eccentricity. There is much to see and do here, and the visitor to Vilnius will not be disappointed.

Sights (16)    Day Trips and Places to Visit    Events    Museums (5)    Parks and Gardens    Webcams (1)  Tako Kameros Guide Books    Famous Film Locations    Events (Exhibitions)    Art Galleries    Viewpoints    Events (Trade shows)    Castles    Monuments    Bridges    Churches    Statues

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