Vilnius Sights and Landmarks Guide, Lithuania

The three Baltic capitals, Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn attract an ever increasing number of tourists each year. No surprise, since Vilnius is one of the most elegant cities in Europe, and in 2009 it is also one of the continent’s cultural capitals. Vilnius is resplendent with beautiful architecture, lovely parks and a rich cultural life, no big surprise as it houses one of Europe’s oldest universities. After becoming free of Soviet domination, Vilnius has become a veritable tourist magnet, attracting even more visitors then the seaside resort of Palanga. There are many charming little peculiarities that make Vilnius such a delightful holiday destination. This Vilnius Sights Guide aims to highlight some of the tourist attractions that you absolutely have to see when you’re visiting this beautiful city.

Vilnius Sights– Museums

Gediminas Museum is hosted by Vilnius’s oldest castles, an imposing medieval building erected in the 12th century. The castle served as a noble residence, prison and defensive fort, and now it houses a comprehensive collection illustrating the city’s colorful past. Those who are more interested in Vilnius’s recent history will definitely enjoy a quiet afternoon in the KGB Museum. The former prison, drenched in a gloomy but impressive atmosphere, tells the sorrowful story of those imprisoned during the Soviet regime. The National Museum of Lithuania hosts a remarkable collection of artifacts and works of art. Not many people know that Vilnius is right in the continent’s geographic centre. The Europos Parkas is an open air museum that celebrates the city’s position on the map of Europe, and also presents a large collection of modern art.

Vilnius Sights– Monuments and parks

Vilnius is the only city in the world that has erected a statue in honor of famous musician Frank Zappa. Other than this little eccentricity, the city can boast of many statues of Lithuanian historical figures and novelists. Many of them can be found in the Old Town, one of the most well preserved medieval towns in Europe. Kalnai Park lies in the middle of the Old Town, and it is often the venue for concerts and sports competitions. Vingis Park, another beautiful oasis of green within the city, is dotted with charming little cafes, restaurants, carousels and bike tracks. If you're in the mood for a quiet stroll, the Vilnius Sights Guide recommends that you seek out the banks of River Neris, for peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

Vilnius Sights - Churches

Vilnius is chock full of amazing churches and cathedrals. St. Anne’s Church in the Old Town is one of the most beautiful pieces of religious architecture in Lithuania. The church was built in the 15th century but it underwent many changes and now it is a surprisingly harmonious mix of different architectural styles. Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church is an apparently nondescript building, deceivingly so, because the baroque interior is exquisitely decorated. St. Nicholas’s Church, the oldest church in Lithuania can be found in Vilnius. The church was built in the 14th century and it is a fine example of the so-called Brick Gothic style.

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• St. Ann's Church
  travel tip by veganbond posted more then 30 days ago
  This church has become a sort of visiting card for Vilnius. It is considered to be the masterpiece of late Lithuanian Gothic. It's a must to see it while visiting Vilnius. The small church is situated in front of the Bernardine Church...
• Vilnius
  travel tip by dana posted more then 30 days ago
  Cathedral Basilica and Bell Tower Once upon a time there was a King named Mindaugas who lived in what’s today Vilnius. The king was born a heathen but converted later in his life to Christianity. As a result of this conversion a...

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