Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius – The Largest & Capital City of Lithuania 

Vilnius, the capital and the largest city of Lithuania lies in the valley of the confluence of Neris and Vilnia rivers having 527,930 inhabitants. It is located in the southeast area of Lithuania and is the second biggest city of the Baltic States.

The area was occupied since the Mesolithic Age though it became a capital city from 1323, when the Grand Duke Gediminas got his seat transferred from Trakai to Vilnius. The word Vilnius is the masculine form of the river’s name, Vilnia which is feminine and is referred to the river surge. A monument to Gemiminas is placed in the Cathedral Square near the site of the former pagan temple and the Grand Duke is depicted when he had made a final decision, dismounted from his horse and had blessed the land to be the capital with its glory echoing like an iron wolf sound all over the world.

Vilnius is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality as well as of the Vilnius district municipality besides being the capital of Vilnius County. The first know records of this amazing destination as the Lithuanian capital was known from Gediminas’ letters in the year 1323.

Known for Old Town & Beautiful Architecture 

According to GaWC studies, Vilnius is categorized as a Gamma global city and is known for its Old Town with beautiful architecture. Moreover in 1994, this city had also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Till the 20th century, the Jewish influence led it to be described as the `Jerusalem of Lithuania’. As Napoleon passed through it in the year 1812, he had named it `the Jerusalem of the North’. Towards 2009, Vilnius became the European Capital of Culture along with the Austrian city of Linz. Vilnius is a cosmopolitan city having diverse architecture with 65 churches in and around Vilnius.

The city was developed around its Town Hall like most of the medieval town where its main artery, Pilles Street connects the Royal Palace with the Town Hall. One will find the most valuable historic as well as cultural sites here.

The buildings in the old town which are around 1,500, were built many centuries ago which has created a blend of various architectural style and though Vilnius is known as a Baroque city, one will come across examples of Gothic, Renaissance together with many other styles. This combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the capital due to which it has been listed as the world heritage site.

Laser & Solar Technologies Manufacturers

Presently Vilnius has growing local advanced laser and solar technologies manufacturers’ centres successfully supplying their products to global markets. The Barclays Technology Centre was established in 2009 in Vilnius and is one of the four strategic engineering global centres. Vilnius has been a home to Eastern Orthodox Christian presence from the 13th or the 12th century and a famous Russian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy is placed near the Gate of Dawn, in Lithuania.

The Church of St. Michael as well as St. Constantine was built in 1913 and presently, a Supreme Council of the Old Believers is based in Vilnius. Several numbers of Christian and other Protestant groups are represented in Vilnius especially the Lutheran Evangelicals and the Baptists. Vilnius is an amazing destination and one will get enthralled exploring the various interest sites in and around this destination.