Vilnius Visitor's Guide

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description

This is an official guide for guests of the city of Vilnius. It contains information about places of interest, events, museums, art galleries, theatres and concert halls, hotels, restaurants, shops, etc

Transcript of Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Page 1: Vilnius Visitor's Guide
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Vilnius Mosaic

Vilnius has always been a lively city. People of different nationalities and cultures who lived here have created a colourful city mosaic. Our history, culture, nature, holidays and entertainment are all reflected in our colours. We are ready to reveal

those colours to you.The Iron Wolf is a symbol of our strength. We want the legend surrounding our city and its glorious history to spread throughout the world. The white lily denotes our culture. It opens up like a flower revealing medieval mysteries, Vilnius Baroque stories, treasures of the New Ages, impressive traditional celebrations, and modern cultural events.Light green colour across which the lily stem runs denotes a welcoming aura of the city. You are invited to discover comfort, leisure and charming moments of relaxation and absorption in its ambience. The scroll against the orange background signifies the Baroque feast which invites you to join in the bustle of the celebrating city. Experience everything your heart desires. It will be unforgettable.

The public institution Vilnius Tourist Information Centre implemented the project “New Tourism Opportunities in Vilnius”, which developed a uniform style of publication, as well as a website and souvenirs (June 2008). The Vilnius Mosaic logo is an integral part of the project.

www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Contents

Tourist information

Vilnius is…

Getting to Vilnius

Visitor information

Culture

History

Places of interest

Green areas of the city

Accommodation

Eating out

Shopping

Leisure

Useful links

Maps

Museums

Environs and other towns

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TOURIST INFORMATION

At Vilnius Tourist Information Centres you will find:

• Information about places of interest, museums, cultural events, entertainment in the city;• Free / paid tourist publications about Vilnius, the city map, souvenirs;• Useful Vilnius City Card;• Advice on the best accommodation possibilities, places where to eat and shop.

Best ways of becoming acquainted with the city:

• Thematic tours (for groups);• Regular tours (15 May – 15 September) in English, German, Russian and Polish; • Festive tours (December – January) in English and Russian;• 10 thematic routes (for independent acquaintance with the city);• Audio guide with a special map.

Vilnius City Card

Vilnius City Card is oriented for tourists who want to get to know the city better. The Card comes in three types: valid for 24 hours (including a public transport ticket), valid for 24 hours (without a public transport ticket) and valid for 72 hours (including a public transport ticket).The Card is issued for individual use and takes effect at the moment of its acquisition.

Holder of the Card can: • use public transport in the city (except the City Card that is valid for 24 hours without a public transport ticket), • visit museums free of charge, • get discounts: for city tours by bus / minibus or segway, when booking accommodation and wellness services, when paying in restaurants and cafes.The card can be purchased at Vilnius Tourist Information Centres or ordered on the website www.vilnius-tourism.lt

The holder of the card that is valid for 24 hours can choose one of the two services: to rent an audio guide or take part in a walking tour free of charge. The holder of the card that is valid for 72 hours makes use of these services free of charge.

Card prices (2011):24 hours card with public transport ticket

24 hours card without public transport ticket

72 hours card with publictransport ticket

58 LTL (17 EUR) 45 LTL (13 EUR) 86 LTL (25 EUR)

USEFUL INFORMATION ON WEBSITES

www.vilnius-tourism.ltThe website of Vilnius Tourist Information Centre and Con-vention Bureau provides the following information to tourists: news of Vilnius tourism, places of interest, tours, events, tourist publications. It also provides accommodation, a regular tour (during the tourist season) and Vilnius City Card booking service.

* QR Quick Response

www.vilnius-events.ltThe website presents information about the events in Vilnius and its environs in a concise and visually attractive way. Special attention is paid to traditional events, festivals and non-commercial events in the city. The website is noted for easy and quick access to information.

www.vilnius-convention.ltThe Internet website is intended for the participants in a conference tourism market: planners and organisers of business events. It presents spaces suitable for conferences and other events with an exact number of places and available facilities, companies that provide conference organising services and the ideas of incentive travel. The calendar of business events, the automated space search system and the form of making an enquiry are available on the website.

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TOP 20 PLACES OF INTEREST IN VILNIUS

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Tourist information Tourist information

* QR Quick Response

* QR Quick Response

*QR stands for Quick Response. Having scanned it with your mobile phone (with a camera and the Internet access) you will be directed to corresponding websites. One can choose and download QR code readers: http://tiny.lt/qr

(for more information see p. 42-55)

(for more information see p. 82-84)

Monument to Gediminas

The Upper Castle and Gediminas Tower

Palace of the Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Church of St Anne

Church of St Francis and St Bernardine (Bernardine)

Orthodox Church of the Blessed Mother of God

Užupis

Pilies Street

Presidential Palace

Vilnius University

Church of St John the Baptist and St John the Apostle and Evangelist

Town Hall, Town Hall Square

Church of St Casimir

Stiklių-Žydų-Gaono Streets

Church of St Theresa

Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit

Gates of Dawn

Church of St Nicholas

Church of St Peter and St Paul

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Palace of the Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Church of St Francis and St Bernardine

Church of St John the Baptist and St John the Apostle and Evangelist

Cathedral-Basilica, Cathedral Belfry, Cathedral Square

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MODERN CITY

The multi-storey business centre on the northern bank of the Neris River is a symbol of the dynamic development of the city. The capital of Lithuania is a leading city in the region by a sheer volume of construction of business offices and residential houses; it boasts a high level of infrastructure and services, and a rapidly improving quality of life. Vilnius is the city where the future becomes the present.

A SPECIAL YEAR FOR VILNIUS AND LITHUANIA

Vilnius was vested with the mission to become the European Capital of Culture in 2009 because the city was best prepared among the new European Union member states to cherish the old European cultural tradition and relate it to the present chal-lenges. The singularity of Vilnius was determined by its history, culture, traditions and the landscape of the state and the city. In 2009, the thousandth anniversary of the first mention of the name of Lithuania was commemorated.

NORTHERN JERUSALEM

Vilnius was given the name of Northern Jerusalem due to the work of the Vilnia Gaon Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman (1720–1797). The expositions presenting the years of prosperity of the Jewish community and the holocaust period can be found in the Vilnia Gaon Jewish State Museum; reminders of the former ghetto can be seen in the Jewish Quarters of the city. Here you will find a monument to the Japanese Consul Chiune Sugihara (1900–1986), who rescued many Jews during World War II, and a playful sculpture of Doctor Dolittle dedicated to the popular doctor Zemach Shabad (1864–1935).

SOVIET HERITAGE

The former headquarters of the KGB is a symbol of Soviet occupation and repression. It now houses the Museum of Genocide Victims, which presents frightening deportation statistics and expositions dedicated to resistance fighters, and invites visitors to the terrifying dank, underground cells where members of the resistance were kept and tortured. Among the heritage of the Soviet times is Žaliasis (Green) Bridge built in 1952 and decorated with four sculptures typical of the Soviet times. The residential building of 1951 near the Neris River on the corner of J. Tumo-Vaižganto and A. Goštauto streets is a representative example of the Stalinist style.

BAROQUE CITY ON THE BORDERLINE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

Vilnius is the only capital in Europe situated on the boundary between two ancient – Latin and Byzantine – civilisations. In this city of ancient and versatile cultures, the spirit of tolerance for different nations and religions has been displayed for some time. Vilnius was first mentioned in written sources in 1323, and by the 15th century it had turned into a beautiful medieval city, the heritage of which is still fascinating.

The architecture of the Old Town is the feather in the cap of the city. The baroque buildings of the largest Old Town in Central and Eastern Europe (360 ha), which has managed to preserve the medieval network of streets and typical spaces, remind us of beautiful ancient Italian towns where Baroque was born. Gracious slender towers supporting the sky are the works of the Lithuanian Baroque School. The Old Town of Vilnius, located in an amphitheatre of breathtaking nature, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994.

Vilnius is…

Established on the boundary of two cultures, Vilnius has always been a city of modernity open to dialogues of different cultures. Profound traditions and experiences of ethnic culture are creatively incorporated into modern art forms – theatre, music, visual arts, and dance – and render a new quality of art. Our artists are known throughout Europe and worldwide, and Vilnius has been awarded the title of European Capital of Culture 2009. The capital of Lithuania is one of the most beautiful cities in the Old Continent where the heritage of the past and the achievements of the present, science and culture co-exist in harmony. Residents of Vilnius are hospitable and cheerful people.

OLD ARCHITECTURE

Old Vilnius is not only Baroque. The Church of St Anne is a masterpiece of late (so-called flamboyant) Gothic, nearly unsurpassed in the world. The Church of St Francis and St Bernardine, or the Bernardine Church, located right next to it is one of the largest Gothic sacral buildings in Vilnius. The Grand Courtyard of Vilnius University, an attractive open-galleried Renaissance quadrangle that was built in 1622 as a seminary, called the Alumnatas, the Gates of Dawn, and the Royal Palace represent beautiful Renaissance heritage.

The dignified Classical architecture of Lithuania is represented by Vilnius Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Verkiai Palace complexes. The Chodkevičiai (Chodkiewicz) estate is the most stylish and largest Classical building in Lithuania.

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VILNIUS IS…

Vilnius is…

Sculpture Agriculture. Sculptors Bernardas Bučas, Petras Vaivada

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VILNIUS UNIVERSITY

One of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe, Vilnius University was founded in 1579 and soon crossed the region’s borders with its progressive scientific ideas. Many of its teachers and alumni are the brightest personalities of Lithuanian science, culture and art history. The city block occupied by the old buildings of the University is a true treasury of science and art: collections of old editions are preserved there together with a rich collection of atlases, while the interior of the University is an impressive art gallery in itself. The Library of Vilnius University stores the only copy of the first Lithuanian book in the country – Catechesis by Martynas Mažvydas.

UŽUPIS REPUBLIC

Užupis, an artists’ district located on the right bank of the Vilnelė River, is one of the oldest Vilnius suburbs. Its formation began as early as the 15th century. Užupis was inhabited mainly by craftsmen, particularly weavers, and since the 19th century – by minor officials. In the Soviet period, many young

artists took to this desolate old suburb and are now trying to turn it into the Monmartre of Vilnius. They hold festivals of alternative art and fashion, celebrate calendar and other holidays, hold various actions and happenings, and have even proclaimed the Republic of Užupis, whose anniversary is celebrated on April 1st. Such personalities as the founder of US avant-garde cinema, Jonas Mekas; the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama; and the President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, alongside others are honorary citizens of the Republic. The district hosts many art galleries, craft workshops and coffee-shops. A guardian angel looks after Užupis from one of its squares, and the Užupis Mermaid can be seen on the river bank. The Church of St Bartholomew (Užupio St. 17 A) in Užupis district is the smallest church in Vilnius. It is open to visitors from Mon to Thu 16:00–19:00, and Sun 9:00–14:00.

CITY PANORAMAS

In terms of its landscape, Vilnius is one of the most beautiful cities in the world: the Old Town sur-rounded by wooded hills is located on the conflu-ence of two rivers and the city centre lies serenely in the Neris Valley. Changing panoramic views of the Old Town open up from the top of Gedimi-nas Tower, Tauras Hill, the Hill of Three Cross-es, Užupis hill, a special observation platform in Subačiaus Street, or the Bastion. In the evening, or on a sunny day, one can admire a spectacular view of the city, and even of the surrounding country-side while having lunch or dinner at the restaurant called the Paukščių takas (Milky Way) in the TV Tower (165 metres above ground, Sausio 13-osios St. 10), the Tores restaurant in Užupis (Užupio St. 40), or while en-joying a cocktail in the Skybar (22nd floor of the Radis-

son Blu Hotel Lietuva, Konstitucijos Ave. 20), at the restaurant Horizontas (Horizon) (Hotel Crowne Plaza Vilnius, M. K. Čiurlionio St. 84). These are just a few places that offer a bird’s-eye view of Vilnius.

THE GREENEST CAPITAL IN THE CENTRE OF EUROPE

The Geographical Centre of Europe (GCE) is lo-cated 26 kilometres north of Vilnius (N 54° 54’, E 25° 19’; the centre was established in 1989). Eu-ropos Parkas (Park of Europe) is situated near the GCE (19 km from the city centre). A huge area of 55 hectares is used to exhibit around 100 sculp-tures created by well-known sculptors from more than 30 countries.Parks, public gardens, reserves and other green ar-eas cover over 46 per cent of the city area. Some of them have been cultivated, and others have pre-served their own natural beauty.

DIFFERENT VILNIUS

Vilnius is the only capital in the world where hot-air balloons are launched from the city centre. An artificial beach and playground are located in the very centre, on the Neris riverbank, and flower beds on the opposite banks of the Neris spell out their mutual love for one another. A “magic” stone tile with the inscription “Miracle” (in Lithuanian “stebuklas”) located in the Cathedral Square between the Bell Tower and the Cathedral is said to help your wishes come true. A tile with a “heart and apple” is designed specially for lovers (Vilniaus St. 30, next to the Monument to S. Moniuška (Stanislaw Moniuszko)). These

magical places can be reached easier if you drive a velomobile or a segway, or if you walk around the city with an audio guide. Take a walk along the Neris riverbank between Mindaugo and Žaliasis Bridges and admire the banks of the river and their flower beds which declare their mutual love. Learn to say “I love you” (in Lithuanian “Aš tave myliu”) to your dearest and nearest, and hope to hear “I love you, too” (in Lithuanian “Ir aš tave”) in return from his or her lips.

The “Love banks” of the Neris blossomed for the first time in the summer of 2000, after the concept of artist Gitenis Umbrasas had been realised. After filling the squares of concrete reinforcement on the riverbanks with sand and soil, flower beds were created.

If you go by car you can see the sculpture Laisvės kelias (Road of Freedom) erected at the junction of Konstitucijos Avenue and Geležinio vilko Street, along the roundabout, in the second half of 2010. This sculpture dedicated to the twentieth anniversary of the re-establishment of the Lithuanian State is a memorial to the fight for independence and the symbol of freedom and unity for future generations. This is an encouragement not to forget the ideas of unity, which helped Lithuania to win its freedom. The sculpture symbolises the human chain, which in 1989 linked three Baltic States seeking for independence, and which stretched as long as 600 kilometres and became an unheard-of expression of unity that has not had any analogue in the world thus far. The author of the idea of the project is Tadas Gutauskas. More about the project: www.laisveskelias.lt

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Dennis Oppenheim. Drinking Structure with Exposed Kidney Pool

The monument was rebuilt in 1989 according to Antanas Vivulskis’ design

Vilnius is…Vilnius is…

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Getting from Vilnius International Airport to the City Centre and Back

By bus:

Tickets can be bought in kiosks or from the driver. A single fare for public transport at a kiosk costs 2 litas, if bought from a driver it costs 2.50 litas (according to March 2011 prices).

By minibus:

Minibuses run every 5–15 minutes. Tickets can be bought only from the driver.

By train:A special single-carriage train runs the following route Vilnius Railway Station – Vilnius International Airport, which is covered in 7 minutes. Fare is 2.5 litas. Tickets can be purchased at the Railway Station and from the conductor on the train.

Kaunas International Airport(second largest airport in Lithuania, 100 km from Vilnius in the north-western direction)Karmėlava, Kaunas district(GPS N 54° 58.044’ E 24° 04.425’) (N 54.967398° E 24.073744°)Tel. +370 37 399307Email: [email protected]: Mon to Sun 8:00–23:00

GETTING TO VILNIUS

BY PLANE

Lithuania has three international airports: in Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. The major ones are Vilnius and Kaunas Airports.

Vilnius International Airport(7 kilometres to the city centre or 15 minutes by car)

Rodūnios kelias 10 A (GPS N 54° 38.583’ E 25°16.766’) (N 54.643056° E 25.279433°)Tel. +370 5 273 9305Email: [email protected]

Upon arrival at the airport you can rent a car (for more information see p. 16) and exchange your currency. Travel, cargo carrying and express parcel services agencies, as well as airline companies, restaurants operate at the airport. The airport also has a prayer room, free access to the wireless Internet “Airport-free”. There is a hotel nearby.

Getting to VilniusGetting to Vilnius

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Information on flights and services provided at the airport is available at: www.kaunasair.lt

A direct express bus runs daily from Vilnius to Vilnius International Airport and from the Airport to Vilnius. In Vilnius, passengers board the express bus at the Hotel Panorama (Sodų St. 14). The bus puts off the passengers in front of the passenger terminal in Kaunas Airport. The trip takes one hour 15–20 minutes. A single fare is 35 litas. A return fare is 55 litas.

For further details and information on the services provided at the airport, airlines and flight schedules please visit www.vno.lt

No. 1 – Airport–Station;No. 2 – Airport–Centre–Šeškinė.

BY BUS

There are direct buses to Vilnius from the following countries:

England, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Holland, France, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany.

International routes and schedules are available at: www.eurolines.lt, www.ecolines.lt, www.luxexpress.eu/lt

Vilnius Central Bus Station (next to the Railway Station, 10 minutes’ walk to the Old Town)Sodų St. 22 Information: Tel. +370 5 900 01661 (open: Mon to Sun 7:00–19:00)Booking offices for intercity bus service are open: Mon to Sun 6:00–21:00Booking offices for international bus service are open: Mon to Sun 7:00–22:00, tel. +370 5 233 5277Shipping Division is open: Mon to Fri 5:30–21:45, Sat, Sun 7:00–20:45, tel: +370 5 233 0983Email: [email protected]

No. 26 – Stotis – Pylimo St.– Santariškės;No. 34 – Stotis – Olandų St. – Baltupiai – Jeruzalės St. – Visoriai;No. 43 – Stotis – Žaliasis tiltas – Šeškinė – Justiniškės;No. 53 – Stotis – Pylimo St. – Kalvarijų St. – Fabijoniškės.

By bus:

By trolleybus:

No. 1 – Stotis – Žvėrynas – Karoliniškės; No. 2 – Stotis – Žygimantų St. – Saulėtekis;No. 5 – Stotis – Žirmūnai;No. 7 – Stotis – Žvėrynas – Justiniškės – Pašilaičiai.

By minibus:

No. 4 – Stotis – Šeškinė – Perkūnkiemis; (only at the weekdays)

No. 5 – Stotis – Santariškės;No. 1 – Stotis – Pilaitė; (only on weekdays)

No. 2 – Stotis – Fabijoniškės;No. 7 – Stotis – Pašilaičiai; (on weekdays and on Saturdays)

No. 6 – Stotis – Lazdynai – Pašilaičiai – Institute of Chemistry.

Public transport timetables: www.vilniustransport.lt

No. 15 – Airport–Kalvarijų St.–Santariškės; No. 20 – Airport–Fabijoniškės (only on weekdays);No. 47 – Airport–Pašilaičiai (only on weekdays).

The bus timetable is available at bus stops or online www.vilniustransport.lt

The bus timetable is coordinated with the Ryanair flight schedules and serves every flight. Tickets can be booked in advance on the Internet websites www.ollex.lt, www.airport-express.lt,at the reception in the Hotel Panorama, in many travel agencies, from the bus driver (if there are vacancies). Additional information is provided by phone +370 5 210 4304 and by email [email protected]

Getting to and from Vilnius Bus Station

www.autobusustotis.lt

Timetables of Intercity BusesTry QR code!

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Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda, A1 highway (E85)Vilnius–Ukmergė–Panevėžys, A2 highway (E272)Vilnius–Medininkai–Minsk, A3 highway (E28)Vilnius–Varėna–Druskininkai–Grodno, A4 highway A4 (P42)Vilnius–Molėtai–Utena, A14 highwayVilnius–Šalčininkai–Lida, A15 highwayVilnius–Prienai–Marijampolė, A16 highwayVilnius–Šumskas, 101 main roadVilnius–Švenčionys–Zarasai, 102 main roadVilnius–Polatsk, 103 main road

Important:• Parking meters do not give you any change therefore you should prepare the necessary number of coins in advance. • Parking is paid on workdays from 8:00 to 20:00. It is indicated on road signs.

In Didžioji, Pilies, Vokiečių, Aušros Vartų, Šv. Jono, Etmonų Streets parking is paid on Mon to Sat from 8:00 to 22:00, in Geležinkelio, Arklių, Sodų and Pylimo Streets (near Halės market on Mon to Sun from 7:00 to 20:00, in Turgaus, Rinktinės Streets on Tue to Sun from 7:00 to 18:00.

BY CAR

You can come to Vilnius by the following roads:

6 European Highways Cross Lithuania:

E67 VIA BALTICA Helsinki–Tallinn–Riga–Pasvalys–Panevėžys–Kaunas–Marijampolė–Warsaw–Wroclaw–PragueE28 Berlin–Gdansk–Kaliningrad–Kybartai–Marijampolė–Vilnius–Minsk–GomelE77 Pskov–Riga–Joniškis–Šiauliai–Tauragė–Kaliningrad–Gdansk–Warsaw–Krakow–BudapestE85 Klaipėda–Kaunas–Vilnius–Lida–Chernivtsi–Bucharest–AlexandroupolisE262 Ostrov–Daugavpils–Zarasai–Ukmergė–KaunasE272 Klaipėda–Palanga–Šiauliai–Panevėžys–Ukmergė–Vilnius.

Speed Limits

From 1 April to 31 October, the speed limit for motorcars on highways is 130 km/h; from 1 November to 31 March the speed limit is 110 km/h; from 1 April to 31 October, the speed limit for motorcars on expressways is 110 km/h; from 1 November to 31 March the speed limit is 100 km/h; on roads with asphalt or concrete pavement the speed limit is 90 km/h; on other roads the speed limit is 70 km/h.

Road Traffic Regulations

Traffic drives on the right side of the road in Lithuania.

Summer tyres must be used between 1 April and 10 November, and winter tyres between 10 November and 1 April.Road traffic regulations also allow the use of studded tyres until 10 April.

During the daytime, drivers of motor vehicles and motorbikes must drive with dipped headlights.

Parking

The following parking lots in Vilnius operate 24/7:

Gedimino Avenue 9 A (a large underground parking zone beneath Gedimino Avenue, Ž. Liauksmino Street and V. Kudirkos Square for 262 cars).

Tilto Street 14 (a multi-storey parking lot in Tilto Street for 117 cars)

T. Kosciuškos Street 1 A (with 58 places for motorcars and 26 places for buses not far from the Old Town. From here it is only about five minutes to Cathedral Square, Pilies Street or Gedimino Avenue).

Near Kalnų Park (T. Kosciuškos Street) paid parking lot.

Information about car parking lots, paid parking zones at www.parking.lt

Near the special observation platform in Subačiaus / Maironio Street (unlimited time)

Near the Gates of Dawn (Aušros Vartų / Bazilijonų Street) (unlimited time)

Near Tymas Quarter (Maironio / Aukštaičių Street) Near the Church of St Peter and St Paul (Antakalnio Street) (30 min.)

Olandų Street near Dailidžių Street (unlimited time)

Maironio Street and Barboros Radvilaitės Street (5 min.)

Šventaragio Street (Cathedral Square) (5 min.)

Šv. Stepono Street (next to the Railway Station, Geležinkelio and Panerių Streets) (unlimited time)

Free parking for motorcars and tourist buses in Vilnius:

Train timetables are available at www.litrail.lt

The Railway Station, just like the Bus Station, is situated close to the Old Town of Vilnius. You can take the same public transport to and from Vilnius Railway Station as from the Bus Station.

BY FERRY (via Klaipėda)

Klaipėda is the third largest city in Lithuania in which the largest seaport in the western part of the country is located, about 320 km from Vilnius. One can get from Klaipėda to Vilnius by train, bus or by car. One can come to Klaipėda by ferry from the following cities: Kiel (Germany), Zasnic (Germany), Karlshamn (Sweden).

Ferry timetables, fares tickets on the Internet websites: www.krantas.lt, www.bts.lt or other agencies.

You can arrive in Vilnius straight from these countries:

Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Kaliningrad. You can come to Vilnius from Germany (Berlin), Austria (Vienna), Hungary (Budapest), the Czech Republic (Prague), and Slovakia (Bratislava) if you change trains in Warsaw.

Vilnius Railway Station (next to the Bus Station, only ten minutes’ walk to the Old Town)

Geležinkelio St. 16Information (24 hours):Tel.: +370 5 233 0088, +370 5 233 0087, +370 5 233 0086Advance booking of train ticket (Mon to Son 8:00 –19:30): Tel.: +370 5 269 2466, +370 5 269 3722 (booking is to be made at least 6 days prior to departure)

Email: [email protected] agency (tickets for international routes, car rental, and life insurance):

Tel.: +370 5 269 3722, +370 5 269 2466, +370 5 269 2748

BY TRAIN If you decide to leave your car in the city centre or in the Old Town, one hour of parking will cost you 2–6 litas. You can pay in cash or by special parking card at the parking-meters set up next to the parking lots.

Getting to VilniusGetting to Vilnius

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Internet

According to the penetration of mobile communication service, Lithuania is among the leading countries in Europe. Thus it is not difficult to find an Internet café or cybercafé, or a wireless Internet zone in Vilnius. Wireless Internet zones in the centre and the Old Town can be found in Pilies, Vokiečių, Goštauto, Konstitucijos Streets, Gedimino Avenue, Cathedral Square, Vilnius International Airport, and other places.

Zebra Wireless Internet

Most hotels (Karolina, Grotthuss, Rūdninkų vartai, Algirdas, Alexa, Adelita, Skrydis, Dvaras, Crowne Plaza Vilnius), post offices (in Gedimino Ave. 7, Vokiečių St. 7, Geležinkelio St. 6) and the following shopping centres sell cards with passwords for the Internet Zebra:

shopping and entertainment centre Akropolis (Ozo St. 25, open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00),

TEO (Ukmergės St. 223, open: Mon to Fri 9:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–14:00).

Visitor information

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Information about Lithuania

VISITOR INFORMATION

National Holidays in Lithuania: 1 January – New Year’s Day;13 January – Day of the Defenders of Lithuania’s Freedom16 February – Day of Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania (Independence Day);1 March – Day of the Restoration of Independence of Lithuania;24 – 25 April (2011), 8 – 9 April (2012) – Easter;1 May – International Labour Day;14 June – Day of Mourning and Hope24 June – Midsummer’s Day; 6 July – State Day (Commemorates the coronation of Lithuania’s only king, Mindaugas, in 1253); 15 August – Feast of the Assumption;1 November – All Saints’ Day;24 December – Christmas Eve;25 and 26 December – Christmas.

In case of emergency call 112. No prefix necessary.

Emergency Telephone

For information about anything in Lithuania at any time of day or night dial +370 700 55118.

Information Hotline

City Codes in Lithuania

Birštonas 319Druskininkai 313Ignalina 386Kaunas 37Klaipėda 46Lazdijai 318Molėtai 383Neringa 469Palanga 460Panevėžys 45Šiauliai 41Trakai 528Vilnius 5

To make a long-distance call within the country, dial +370 or 00370, the city code and the number you wish to reach.

Places where wireless Internet operates have the sign Zebra.

For more information (in English) log on to http://internetas.zebra.lt/node/207Most places accept major credit cards – Visa, Mastercard.

Area 65,3 thousand square kilometres (about one third of the territory is covered by forests; 4.5 per cent is internal waters. There are more than 2800 lakes larger than 0,5 ha, and 18 rivers that are longer than 100 km in Lithuania)

Geographical position The Republic of Lithuania is located at the western end of the East European Plain, on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea.

Neighbouring countries Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Kaliningrad (Russian Federation)

Time zone Central European time zone in winter GMT +2 hours, in summer GMT + 3

Climate Maritime / continental A five day weather forecast is available at: www.meteo.lt

Population 3,27 million (according to statistics of Lithuania 2010)

Ethnic groups Lithuanians (83.5 %), Poles (6.7 %), Russians (6.3 %), Belarusians (1.2 %), and others (2.3 %). About 115 different ethnic groups live in Lithuania.

Capital Vilnius

State language Lithuanian (one of the oldest European languages)

Government Parliamentary Republic

Religion Mostly Roman Catholic (about 80 %), others: Russian Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran, Evangelical Reformist, Judaic, Sunni Islamic, Muslim, Karaite, arc.

National currency The national currency is the litas (Lt). The current exchange rate is LTL 3,4528 = €1 (2011). For more information visit www.lbank.lt

Membership NATO (1 April 2004), EU (as of 1 May 2004) For more information about Lithuania’s membership in major international organisations see the Internet website www.urm.lt

Visitor information

Information about Vilnius

Area Population

Population density

Ethnic groups

401 square kilometres

560 192 (2010), which accounts for one seventh of the total population of Lithuania

1397 inhabitants/sq.km

Lithuanians (57.8 %), Poles (18.7 %), Russians (14 %), Belarusians (4 %), Jews (0.5 %), and others (5 %) are inhabitants of other nationalities

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Swedbank (Vokiečių St. 26) Open: Mon to Fri 8:30–17:30Swedbank (Barboros Radvilaitės St. 1 / 2) Open: Mon to Thu 9:00–17:30, Fri 9:00–17:00Swedbank (Vilniaus St. 16) Open: Mon to Fri 8:30–17:00

Vokiečių St., Lukiškių Sq. 18 (at Lukiškių Square), Konstitucijos Ave. 7 A (on the way from the shopping center Europa to the underpass), Olandų St. 1 (in front of the Church of St Peter and St Paul the Apostles), Pamėnkalnio St. 40 A (next to Medicina Bank), B. Radvilaitės St. 2 (next to Cathedral), Bazilijonų St. 5 (next to the Gates of Dawn), Kauno St. 5 A / 1.

Collegium Pilies St. 22 (open: in tourist season Mon to Fri 9:00–20:00, Sat 11:00–20:00, in the off-season: Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00)Technical Library / Internet cafe Šv. Ignoto St. 6 (open: Mon to Fri 8:00–19:00)Taškas J. Jasinskio St. 1 / Dainavos St. 8 (open 24 hours a day)Mintvinetu Šv. Ignoto St. 16 / 10 (open: Mon to Sun 11:00–20:00. The 15 minute use of the Internet with your own computer is free. To use the Internet for one hour costs 4 litas.)Senoji raštinė Pylimo St. 54 (open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–15:00)

Paid Internet Cafes

Currency Exchange

The commission rate for currency exchange is 2–3 litas. Please note that most banks are open on weekdays until 17:00 or 18:00 only. However, banks located in large shopping centres are open at weekends.

Currency Exchange in the City Centre and the Old Town

Swedbank (Konstitucijos Ave. 20 A)Open: Mon to Thu 9:00–17:30, Fri 9:00–17:00Nordea (Didžioji St. 18 / 2) Open: Mon to Fri 8:30–16:30Nordea (Gedimino Ave. 2 / 33) Open: Mon to Fri 9:30–17:30DnB NORD bank (Pilies St. 36)Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00DnB NORD bank (Vilniaus St. 18) Open: Mon to Thu 8:00–17:00, Fri 8:00–16:00 SEB bank (Gedimino Ave. 12)Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–17:00SEB bank (Vokiečių St. 9) Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–17:30 Snoras bank (Gedimino Ave. 2) Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–14:00Snoras bank (at the corner of A. Vienuolio and A. Goštauto St.) Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–15:00Snoras bank (Sodų St. 22)Open: Mon to Fri 7:30–19:30, Sat/Sun 8:00–17:00Danske bank (Gedimino Ave. 10 / Totorių St. 1)Open: Mon to Thu 8:00–17:00, Fri 8:00–16:30Ūkio bank (A. Goštauto St. 40) Open: Mon to Thu 8:00–16:45, Fri 8:00–15:45Danske bank (Konstitucijos Ave. 3)Open: Mon to Thu 9:00–18:00, Fri 9:00–17:00Ūkio bank (Gedimino Ave. 1)Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00Ūkio bank (Vilniaus St. 28 / Benediktinių St. 2)Open: Mon to Thu 8:00–17:00, Fri 8:00–16:00Medicinos bank (Gedimino Ave. 21 / 2) (at the bus stop)Open: Mon to Sun 7:00–22:00Medicinos bank (at Vilnius Airport)Open: Mon to Sun 6:00–23:00

OPEN ROUND THE CLOCK:Citadelė bankas (Geležinkelio St. 6) (next to the Railway Station)

At weekends, banks are open in the following shopping centres:

Swedbank bank:Akropolis (Ozo St. 25)Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00DnB NORD bank:Akropolis (Ozo St. 25)Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00

Panorama (Saltoniškių St. 9)Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–19:00SEB bank:Akropolis (Ozo St. 25)Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–16:00Danske bank:Europa Konstitucijos Ave. 7 A Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00Akropolis ( Ozo St. 25)Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00Ūkio bank:Panorama (Saltoniškių St. 9) Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00Akropolis (Ozo g. 25)Open: Mon to Sun 9:00–22:00VCUP (Konstitucijos Ave. 16)Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–17:00Citadelė bank Shopping Centre Gedimino 9 (Gedimino Ave. 9) Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00Snoras bankShopping and Entertainment Centre Ozas (Ozo St. 18)Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–21:00Akropolis (Ozo St. 25)Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00

Public Toilets in Tourist Zones in Vilnius

Medical Aid

Public Institution Vilnius University Emergency HospitalŠiltnamių St. 29 Tel. +370 5 216 9069 (information desk)www.vgpul.lt

Public Institution Centro PoliklinikaPylimo St. 3 / 1 Tel.: +370 5 251 4066, +370 5 261 2442Open: Mon to Fri 7:00–20:00www.pylimas.lt

Baltic & American Clinic Nemenčinės plentas 54 A Tel. +370 5 234 2020 (24/7) GSM +370 698 52655 (24/7)Open: Mon to Sun 8:00–22:00Most of the physicians and nurses at the Clinic speak English, Russian, German and Polish.www.bak.lt

Medical Diagnostic Centre V. Grybo St. 32 / 10Tel. +370 5 270 9120, +370 5 247 6327GSM +370 698 00000Open: Mon to Fri 7:00–20:00, Sat 8:00–15:00Physicians working at the Centre speak English, Russian, German, French and Polish.www.medcentras.lt

Medical Health Centre – Clinic Northway S. Žukausko St. 19Tel. +370 5 264 4466Open: Mon to Fri 7:00–20:00, Sat 10:00–14:00The staff speaks English and Russian.www.nmc.lt

Family Medical Centre Pylimo St. 9Tel. +370 5 260 8684Open: Mon to Fri 8:00 to 20:00, Sat 8:00–15:00The staff speaks English, German, Russian and Polish. www.seimosgydytojas.lt

Clinic Medicina GeneralisGedimino Ave. 1–19Mob. +370 684 33100Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–17:00 (by arrangement)The native language of the doctor is English.

Pharmacies in the City Centre and Old Town

EurovaistinėGedimino Ave. 18Tel. +370 5 231 3913Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–21:00, Sat 9:00–20:00, Sat 10:00–17:00

Vilnius Gedimino PharmacyGedimino Ave. 27 Tel. +370 5 261 0135Open: Mon to Fri 7:30–21:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–17:00

Vokiečių PharmacyDidžioji St. 13 Tel. +370 5 212 4232 Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–20:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–18:00

Visitor informationVisitor information

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Taxi

Taxi fares

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If you arrive in Vilnius for several days only, you can buy special tickets for one, three and ten days (costs as of March 2011). One-day trolleybus and bus ticket costs 13 litas, Three-day ticket costs 23 litas, Ten-day ticket is 46 litas.

Tickets for one, two or three days can be bought at the newspaper kiosks: Geležinkelio St. 16 (near the Railway Station), Sodų St. 22 (near the Bus Station), Laisvės Ave. 60 (near Spaudos rūmai), Gedimino Ave. 2 (near the Cathedral).

The routes and timetables can be found in every trolleybus or bus stop or at www.vilniustransport.lt

Taxi phone numbers:

Ekipažas +370 5 233 7958, Martonas +370 5 246 1484 (credit cards, with the exception of American Express, are accepted), Mersera +370 601 19181, Eurotaksi +370 5 277 0077 A taxi can be called by dialing +370 700 55118; the service is provided in several languages and a search is made through several taxi companies. You do not have to wait for a taxi to be found – you are informed thereof by SMS message. A taxi can be ordered in advance on the Internet and information about it is available on the Internet website www.etaksi.lt

Camelia PharmacyVilniaus St. 29Tel. +370 5 260 8416Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–15:00, closed on Sun

Šeimos Pharmacy Vilniaus St. 22Tel. +370 5 261 8387Open: Mon to Fri 7:30–19:00, Sat 9:00–16:00, closed on Sun

Universiteto PharmacyUniversiteto St. 2Tel. +370 5 212 1219 Open: Mon to Fri 7:30–19:30, Sat 9:00–16:00, closed on Sun

Operos PharmacyA. Vienuolio St. 6-21Tel. +370 5 212 6116 Open: Mon to Fri 7:30–19:00, closed on Sat/Sun

Car Rental

ADC RentRodūnios kelias 3 (next to Vilnius Airport)GSM +370 687 00083 Email: [email protected] www.adcrent.com

Avis Rodūnios kelias 2 (at Vilnius Airport)Tel./fax +370 5 232 9316E-mail [email protected]ės Ave. 3 Tel. +370 5 230 6820E-mail [email protected]

HertzRodūnios kelias 2 (at Vilnius Airport)Tel./fax +370 5 232 9301 E-mail [email protected]ų St. 14 Tel. +370 5 272 6940E-mail [email protected] www.hertz.lt

Budget Rodūnios kelias 2 (at Vilnius Airport)Tel. +370 5 230 6708E-mail [email protected]

EuropcarRodūnios kelias 2 (at Vilnius Airport)Tel./fax +370 5 216 3442 E-mail [email protected]. Stuokos-Gucevičiaus St. 9–1Tel. +370 5 212 2739E-mail [email protected]

SixtRodūnios kelias 2 (at Vilnius Airport)Tel. +370 5 239 5636Smolensko St. 6320Tel. +370 5 246 1581E-mail [email protected]

Ollex Eišiškių plentas 26 Tel. +370 5 210 4304Email. [email protected]

Easy Rental Tarandės St. 34Tel./fax. +370 5 212 3691GSM +370 604 11779Email: [email protected]

Busikas Parodų St. 1 AGSM +370 684 62716Email: [email protected]

Auto BalticOslo St. 5Tel./fax. +370 5 263 1818GSM +370 606 12344Email: [email protected]

CaRentKareivių St. 6Tel. +370 5 205 2492GSM +370 610 03970Email: [email protected]

Public Transport

Trolleybuses and buses start running in Vilnius at 5:30 am and return to the park around 22:30 pm. Tickets for trolleybuses and buses cost 2 litas, and can be bought at any newspaper kiosk. Tickets cost 2.50 litas on the trolley/bus; concessions available to schoolchildren, students and senior citizens (costs as of March 2011).

New rules came into effect on 15 July 2010 – all passengers have to get on trolleybuses and buses through the front door only. The passengers have to show the driver their e-ticket, validate their single ticket or buy one from the driver. The passengers can get off trolleybuses or buses through all the remaining doors.

The electronic ticketing system operates in Vilnius: having bought the ticket once, it is necessary to re-plenish it. The

ticket can be bought at any newspaper kiosk and at the Customer Information Centre (Gedimino Ave. 9 A, in front of the Hotel Novotel), at the kiosk of Susisiekimo paslaugos (Geležinkelio St. 16, near the Railway Station), at all places where tickets are distributed and which are marked with the e-ticket sign. Log on to www.vilniusticket.lt for more details.

A taxi fare in Vilnius costs from 1.5 to 3 litas per kilometer.

Double tariffs are applied to a taxi without an advance call.

Keep the receipt in case you have suspicion that the taxi fare was unfair.

For more information see: www.vilnius-tourism.lt, www.etaksi.lt

Visitor informationVisitor information

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Culture

1918

Post Office in the Old Town and in the Centre of the City

Vilnius Central Post OfficeGedimino Ave. 7, LT–01001Open: Mon to Fri 7:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–16:00

Vokiečių St. 7, LT–01013 Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 8:00–15:00

Aušros Vartų St. 18, LT–01047Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–18:00 (closed from 12:00 to 13:00.), Sat 8:00–15:00 (closed from 12:00 to 13:00)

Geležinkelio St. 6, LT–02001 Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–19:00, Sat 8:00–14:00

Gedimino Ave. 53 (near the Seimas), LT–01028 Open: Mon to Thur 6:30–15:30 (closed from 10:30 to 12:00), Fri 6:30–15:00 (closed from 10:30 to 12:00)

Pamėnkalnio St. 28, LT–01031 Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–18:00 (closed from 12:00 to 13:00)

Mail Boxes

Mailboxes are found at the above-mentioned post offices and in Pilies St. 23, Maironio St. 1, Sodų St. 14, Sodų St. 22, Žygimantų St. 3, Geležinkelio St. 16, Konstitucijos Str. 3 A, Konstitucijos Ave. 23.

For more information visit www.post.lt

Laundry Services

Skalbiu sau (self-service laundry: washing, drying, ironing)Šeškinės St. 26 (next to Shopping Centre IKI, bus No. 2 or minibus No. 4 in the direction of Šeškinė to the last bus stop) Tel. +370 5 233 9440, open: Mon to Fri 9:30–20:30, Sat 10:00–20, Sun 10:00–18:00Savanorių St. 176 (Shopping Centre Norfa Bazė)Tel. +370 5 216 4689, open: Mon to Sat 10:00–20:00, Sun 10:00–19:00Saulėtekio al. 41 Tel. +370 5 269 6098, open: Mon to Fri 10:00–20:30, Sat 10:00–20:00, Sun 10:00–19:00

Joglė (dry cleaning and washing)Gedimino Ave. 9 (Shopping Centre Gedimino 9)GSM +370 686 04696, open: Mon to Sat 10:00–20:00, Sun 11:00–18:00Konstitucijos Ave. 7 ATel. +370 5 248 7039, open: Mon to Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–20:00Mindaugo St. 11 (Shopping Centre Maxima)GSM +370 620 11133, open: Mon to Fri 9:00–20:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–19:00J. Jasinskio St. 16Tel.: +370 264 9164, GSM +370 800 60000, open: Mon to Fri 8:00–20:00, Sat 9:00–16:00

Švara (dry cleaning and washing)Slucko St. 3 (near the Hotel Holiday Inn)Tel. +370 5 272 7931, open: Mon to Fri 7:30–19:00, Sat 9:00–14:00Konarskio St. 21Tel. +370 5 265 2969, open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00 (closed 13:00–14:00), Sat 9:00–14:00Šeškinės St. 26Tel. +370 5 242 4509, open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00 (closed 13:00–14:00), Sat 9:00–14:00.

Letter-post items in grams(priority)

Lithuania EU countries

Other than EU countries

Up to 20 g 1.55 LTL 2.45 LTL 2.90 LTL

From 20 g to 50 g 1.65 LTL 2.95 LTL 3.35 LTL

From 50 g to 100 g 1.80 LTL 3.20 LTL 4.40 LTL

From 100 g to 500 g 2.50 LTL 5.90 LTL 11.75 LTL

From 500 g to 2000 g 4.90 LTL 15.00 LTL 40.95 LTL

TRADITIONAL CULTURAL EVENTS

1 January DAY OF THE LITHUANIAN FLAG

On 1 January 1919, the Lithuanian tricolour was hoisted on Gediminas Castle Tower for the first time. To celebrate this day, a solemn ceremony of replacing the flag is held on Gediminas Hill in Vilnius.

6 January THREE KINGS FESTIVAL (EPIPHANY)

The Three Kings Festival is an impressive mystery performance which symbolises the end of the winter holidays. Three Kings (the three wise men of the Gospel) pass through the Old Town and wish residents good health, peace and wellbeing. At the end of the procession, a biblical 15-minute performance “Bethlehem” is put on in the Cathedral Square.

16 February LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

On 16 February 1918, the Council of Lithuania signed the Act of Independence of Lithuania, which proclaimed the termination of all state ties and declared Lithuania an independent state. Solemn commemorations, concerts, orchestra parades and other events take place in the capital and all over the country.

At the beginning of March INTERNATIONAL BALTIC JEWELLERY EXHIBITION AMBER TRIP

The largest jewellery exhibition in the Baltic States in which many professional jewellers, designers and amateurs take place. For more information visit www.ambertrip.com

First weekend of March KAZIUKAS FAIR

The fair, which originated from the day of St. Casimir, the guardian of Lithuania, has been held for over 400 years. This is the largest occasion for traditional craftsmen to present their work to visitors. It is also a celebration, which embraces all areas of the Old Town. More information is available on websites: www.etno.lt, www.kaziukomuge.lt

Information on the events in Vilnius and environs

Events Mosaicwww.vilnius-events.lt

Visitor information

Prices of Postal Services:

Page 12: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Last week of May INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FOLK MUSIC SKAMBA SKAMBA KANKLIAI

Exciting concerts involving folk groups from Lithuania and many foreign countries are given in squares, parks and courtyards of Vilnius Old Town. A fair of folk crafts accompanies the festival. For more information visit www.etno.lt

At the end of May INTERNATIONAL WINE SHOW VYNO DIENOS (DAYS OF WINE)

The annual Lithuanian wine show, which attracts lovers, professionals, manufacturers of wine and wine distributors. Presentations of wines by Lithuanian and foreign suppliers and manufacturers, as well as wine samplings are made, and exhibitions of wine cellars, accessories, glasses and stemware, as well as gourmet products are arranged. More information can be found on website www.vynodienos.lt

MayVILNIUS FESTIVAL

Vilnius Festival is an international music festival, recognised by the European Association of Festivals, which attracts distinguished performers, representatives of the world music elite and the best bands of Lithuania (10–15 events). For more information visit websites: www.vilniusfestivals.lt, www.filharmonija.lt

Culture

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Tuesday, 46 days before Easter (21 February 2012) SHROVE TUESDAY

A calendar holiday during which Shrove Tuesday mummers flood the Old Town to “drive out winter”, and pancakes are made. If you eat many pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, your year will be a success. At the end of the festivities, Morė (a symbol of winter disasters), is burned on a bonfire and people look forward to the arrival of spring. For more information visit www.etno.lt

11 MarchDAY OF THE RESTORATION OF LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE

The Act on the Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania was signed on 11 March 1990. On this day, the victims of fights for Lithuania’s independence are honoured, the ceremony of hoisting the state flag takes place in Nepriklausomybės Square, and brass band parades, performances by various groups, and concerts are organised.

March–April INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL KINO PAVASARIS (CINEMA SPRING)

This festival offers its audience a chance to see well-known or awarded movies from various film festivals; meetings with prominent representatives of the film industry are organised alongside thematic evenings or discussions. For more information visit www.kinopavasaris.lt

March and NovemberFASHION FESTIVAL MADOS INFEKCIJA (FASHION INFECTION)

This is not only the most important fashion show in Lithuania but also a fashion art festival, a conceptual and innovative event uniting young authors and professionals of the fashion world. For more information visit www.madosinfekcija.lt

AprilMUSIC FESTIVAL GARSO GALERIJA (SOUND GALLERY)

The festival Garso galerija is the largest electronic and electronic-acoustic music festival in the Baltic States. It acquaints the audience with the latest achievements and projects in the art of music. For more information visit www.garsogalerija.net

April–May INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL SUGRĮŽIMAI (THE RETURNS)

Concert halls in Vilnius and other towns of the country witness the return of the Lithuanian musicians who work or study abroad and who often bring their foreign colleague to the festival. Almost all Lithuanian music stars from all over the world return to perform at the festival Sugrįžimai. For more information: www.lmrf.lt

First Saturday of MayDAY OF STREET MUSIC

This is a new tradition whereby music professionals and amateurs play and sing in the streets, squares, and parks of the capital as street musicians.For more information visit www.gatvesmuzika.lt

At the beginning of MayINTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL NAUJASIS BALTIJOS ŠOKIS (NEW BALTIC DANCE)

This is the largest event of the contemporary dance in the Baltic countries, which attracts participants not only from the Baltic Sea Region, but also from other countries and continents. For more information visit www.dance.lt

MayINTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL POEZIJOS PAVASARIS (POETRY SPRING)

Lithuanian poets and guests from abroad read their poems in various venues of the city; debates and discussions with listeners take place. For more information visit www.rasytojai.lt

Culture

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At the beginning of September SOSTINĖS DIENOS (CAPITAL DAYS)

Numerous highly ingenious and even extreme performances are given in various outdoor venues in the capital during the Days of the Capital. Gedimino Avenue turns into a huge art workshop and a gallery of different national cuisines. For more information visit www.vilniusfestivals.lt

SeptemberFESTIVAL OF OLD MUSIC BANCHETTO MUSICALE

The Festival presents medieval, renaissance and baroque music to the public of Lithuania and its guests. More information: www.bmfestival.lt

At the last but one week of September FESTIVAL OF GEDIMINAS (The Fair of Nations, the Autumn Equinox, Vilnius International Street Theatre Festival Mozaika (Mosaic))

This event devoted to the founder of Vilnius, Duke Gediminas, includes a carnival and concerts given by Lithuanian regional and ethnic minorities. An impressive mystery performance of fire sculptures crowns the finale of the festivities. Before the performance, large straw sculptures created by professional artists are exhibited outdoors around the city. For more information visit websites: www.etno.lt, www.vrkc.lt

September INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL POKROVSKIJE KOLOKOLA

The Festival seeks to represent Vilnius as a multinational centre of culture and art, to present the folkloric-ethnographic art of singing, music and dance to the residents of Vilnius and to the guests of the city. The programme of the Festival includes concerts, creative laboratories of folklore groups, discussions, dance and song evenings, youth social evenings.

July–August CHRISTOPHER’S SUMMER FESTIVAL

This is an international festival that abides by the rule “all genres are good except the boring ones”. It is one of the biggest summer events in Vilnius, which attracts numerous performers from Lithuania and other countries (around 40–50 events). For more information visit www.kristupofestivaliai.lt

At the beginning of JulyCASTLE FESTIVAL

The Castle Festival, which is held annually, presents the public with Renaissance and Early Baroque material, as well as the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and promotes its restoration. For more information visit www.antiqua.lt

At the last weekend of AugustBALTRAMIEJAUS MUGĖ (BARTHOLOMEW FAIR)

The Fair that is held in Rotušės (Town Hall) Square seeks to present Vilnius as a city with ancient European traditions, to remind people of the importance of craftsmen who were an inseparable part of the city for several centuries and their impact on its life, as well as to give people the opportunity to come to know and experience at a close the subtleties of processes of different crafts (that are often disappearing). More information: www.amatugildija.puslapiai.lt

June – JulyINTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR ART VILNIUS

This international art fair is one of the largest art events in the Baltic States where a broad panorama of contemporary art galleries is presented: works of art by famous artists, art campaigns, the podium discussions, a wide educational programme, etc. For more information visit www.artvilnius.com

6 JulyCORONATION OF KING MINDAUGAS—STATE DAY

On the State Day, Lithuania celebrates the day of the coronation of the only king of Lithuania Mindaugas, the founder of the State of Lithuania. Days of Live Archaeology are organised at the foot of Gediminas Hill and in the Old Town where craftsmen demonstrate old crafts, knights can be seen standing in groups, participants listen to old music and are welcomed to the fairs, and concerts of ethnographical bands or other festivities are organised in the city.

At the beginning of July (2014)WORLD LITHUANIAN SONG FESTIVAL

The programme of this traditional song festival includes a folk group evening, group and individual performances by kanklės groups and brass bands, an exhibition of folk art, days of folklore and dance, and a day of songs, which starts with a festive march through the city. The World Lithuanian Song Festival is held every four years or on special national occasions. For more information visit websites: www.dainusvente.lt, www.llkc.lt

2322

JuneCULTURE NIGHT TEBŪNIE NAKTIS! (LET THERE BE NIGHT!)

The shortest night in summer that rouses people from their cultural sleep. City squares turn into dance schools under the stars, parks are converted into large cinema halls on the grass, the river is decorated with installations, shining labyrinths, concerts of classical, rock and organ music are given in churches, performances are put on in narrow streets, love songs are sung on the balconies, hand-made lanterns are lit, poetry is recited, lullabies are sung. Museums attract people with musical and animation shows. Every fifth resident of Vilnius celebrates culture. More information is available on websites: www.kulturosnaktis.lt, www.tebunienaktis.lt

23 June ST. JOHN’S (MIDSUMMER’S DAY)

Summer solstice or Rasos Festival was originated in pagan times and was renamed St. John’s Festival in Christian times. An evening party with songs, folk dances, and fortune-telling is organised in Verkiai Regional Park. At midnight, a search for a magic fern blossom, which allegedly blossoms on that night only, begins. For more information visit www.pavilniai-verkiai.lt

Culture Culture

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October INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL GAIDA (THE TUNE)

This main and largest contemporary music festival in Lithuania presents the latest music trends, fashions and creative processes in Lithuania and the world and attracts participation of prominent original performers. For more information visit www.vilniusfestivals.lt

November EUROPEAN FILM FORUM SCANORAMA

The only and largest European Film Forum in the Baltic region, which is directly related to the most significant film festivals held in Europe. The programme is devoted to a wide audience of spectators of different social background and age. For more information visit www.scanorama.lt.

November INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL VILNIUS MAMA JAZZ

The youngest jazz festival in Lithuania, open to all styles and trends of jazz music, has already taken its place among the most significant events both in Vilnius and all over Lithuania.For more information visit www.vilniuscityjazz.lt

WINTER FESTIVITIES IN THE CAPITAL CHRISTMAS FAIR in the capital (16 December 2011 – 1 January 2012; 15 December 2012 – 6 January 2013)

Every year winter brings numerous concerts, performances, exhibitions, fairs and other entertainments to Vilnius. The Christmas season is the main religious and most scintillating winter holiday, which lasts until the Three Kings.

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At the end of September – the beginning of October INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL SIRENOS (SIRENS)

Sirenos presents provoking and challenging modern European theatre and new impressive projects of the Lithuanian stage. Performances are staged in various theatres of Vilnius and other locations.For more information visit www.okt.lt

September – OctoberINTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL VILNIUS JAZZ

Vilnius Jazz, the oldest festival, attracts the participation of the best Lithuanian jazz performers and prominent jazzmen from other countries. Vilnius Jazz is famous for creative and ambitious programmes and improvisations. For more information visit www.vilniusjazz.lt

October INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SINGING POETRY TAI – AŠ (THIS IS ME)

The most distinguished Lithuanian and foreign bards take part in the main concerts of this Festival. More information on websites: www.kultura.lt, www.bardai.lt

LONG-TERM EVENTSFLAG HOISTING CEREMONYOn Sundays (every year at 12)Venue: S. Daukanto Square (in front of the Presidential Palace)For more information visit www.president.lt

FLEA MARKETOn Sundays (12:00–17:00)Venues: October–April: shopping centres Gedimino 9 (Gedimino Ave. 9),May–September: Teachers’ House Courtyard (Vilniaus St. 39)More information: www.blusturgis.lt

LITHUANIAN FARMERS’ MARKETS, ORGANIC FAIRSOn Wednesdays (11:00–16:00): in the square at the Ministry of Agriculture (Gedimino Ave. 19)On Saturdays (all year 9:00–17:00): at the shopping and entertainment centre Akropolis (Ozo St. 25)On Fridays (11:00–17:00) and Saturdays (11:00–18:00): at the shopping centre Panorama (Saltoniškių St. 9)More information is available on www.organic.lt, www.akropolis.lt, www.panorama.lt

EVENTS IN VILNIUS AND ENVIRONS IN YOUR TELEPHONE

QR is a barcode (Quick Response) after scanning of which with your mobile phone (with a camera or the Internet access), you will be directed to relevant websites. QR readers can be chosen and downloaded here:http://tiny.lt/qr

www.vilnius-events.lt

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Month Name More information

May International Bushido Tournament K-1 & KOK WORLD GP www.bushido.lt

April European Kyokushin Karate Championship www.kyokushin.lt

May The Neris Regatta www.neriesregata.lt

May Traditional International Car Rally for Vilnius City Mayor Cup

www.lak1926.lt

June Multiple Sport Competition Vilnius Challenge www.vilniuschallenge.lt

August Traditional International Mass Bicycle Festival Velomaratonas (Velomarathon)

www.velomaratonas.lt

September Car Rally around Lithuania for the President’s Cup www.lak1926.lt

September (beginning) Vilnius Regatta www.regata.lt

September International Vilnius Marathon www.maratonas.lt

September–October Vilnius International Riding Tournament www.equestrian.lt

November World SAMBO Championship www.sambo.lt

November International Bushido FC HERO’S tournament www.bushido.lt

December World Championship of Latin American Dance Ensembles www.dancesport.lt

December International Vilnius Marathon www.maratonas.lt

The Lithuanian theatre is considered to be one of the best in Europe. The performances staged by the magician Eimuntas Nekrošius, or the genius of expression Oskaras Koršunovas, can more often be found “somewhere else in Europe” rather than in Vilnius. Here you will also see performances staged by Jonas Vaitkus. Just like Gytis Padegimas or Cezaris Graužinis, he frequently shares his talent with other theatres of the country. Performances of the Dance Theatre of Anželika Cholina is an impressive synthesis of dance and drama. Romantic works by Rimas Tuminas, full of vibrancy of human soul, are shown in the Small Theatre of Vilnius. Enjoy the rich and versatile repertoire of the Youth Theatre; witness numerous performances (including those for children) at the Keistuolių Teatras (The Odd Men Theatre) and the new Domino Theatre with some club elements. The work of the Russian Drama Theatre covers a broad spectrum of activities; musical evenings are organised here alongside traditional performances.Performers at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre fascinate the audience with their talents, great production, and scenography; famous stage professionals often work and perform in this theatre. The Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society presents various classical and jazz concerts. The Congress Palace is a venue for concerts and operas by the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra which is conducted by Gintaras Rinkevičius. The Church of St. Catherine is a real multifunctional cultural centre which houses concerts and synthetic art projects. Performers of pop music, shows and sports events find their place in the Siemens Ūkio Bank Theatre, Utenos Pramogų Arenas.

Theatres

Lithuanian National Drama TheatreGedimino Ave. 4Tel. +370 5 262 9771 (Box-office), +370 5 262 6471Open: Box Office Sun 11:00–19:00www.teatras.lt

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet TheatreA. Vienuolio St. 1Tel.: +370 615 51000, +370 5 262 0727Open: Box Office Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–18:30, Sun 10:00–15:00www.opera.lt

State Small Theatre of VilniusGedimino Ave. 22Tel. +370 5 249 9869Open: Box Office Tue to Sat 11:00–18:30, Sun 13:00–18:30 (closed from 15:00 to 16:00.)www.vmt.lt

Lithuanian Russian Drama TheatreJ. Basanavičiaus St. 13Tel. +370 5 262 0552Open: Box Office Tue to Sat 10:45–18:30, Sun 11:00–16:00 (closed from 14:45 to 15:30)www.rusudrama.lt

Youth TheatreArklių St. 5Tel. +370 5 261 6126Open: Box Office Tue to Sun 11:00–18:00 (closed from 14:00 to 14:30)www.jaunimoteatras.lt

Domino Theatre Savanorių Ave. 7 (Cinema Forum Vingis) Tel. +370 656 86383Open: Box Office Mon to Sun 11:00–19:00 (closed from 14:00 to 15:00)www.dominoteatras.lt Keistuolių Teatras (The Odd Man Theatre) Laisvės Ave. 60 Tel. +370 5 242 4585Open: Box Office Mon to Fri 11:00–19:00www.keistuoliai.lt

Gytis Ivanauskas’ TheatreŠaltinių St. 1-58Tel. +370 5 215 10 77www.giteatras.lt

TRADITIONAL SPORT EVENTS IN THE CITY OF VILNIUS THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS

Extraordinary sports event in Lithuania in 2011 is the European Men’s Basketball Championship Eurobasket 2011.

For more information visit websites: www.eurobasket2011.com, www.fibaeurope.com

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Menų spaustuvė (Arts Printing House)Šiltadaržio St. 6Tel. +370 5 204 0832www.menuspaustuve.lt

Ūkio Bank Theatre ArenaOlimpiečių St. 3Mob. +370 683 77357www.teatroarena.lt

Dance Theatre of the National Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis School of ArtsT. Kosciuškos St. 11Tel. +370 5 210 0728www.sokioteatras.lt

Concert Halls

Church of St. CatherineVilniaus St. 30Tel. +370 604 89439www.kultura.lt

Congress PalaceVilniaus St. 6 / 16Tel. +370 5 261 8828Open: Box Office Mon to Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–16:00www.lvso.lt Vilnius Town HallDidžioji St. 31Tel. +370 5 261 8007www.vilniausrotuse.lt

Siemens ArenaOzo St. 14Tel. +370 5 247 7576www.siemens-arena.com

On Sunday afternoons the Philharmonic Society invites people to listen to music in the Great Hall of the most beautiful Trakai Castle. Tickets can be bought at the Box Office of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, online www.bilietai.lt and in all ticket distribution places of the system bilietai.lt (tickets are not sold two days before the concert only); at the box offices of Trakai Castle (tickets are sold only one hour prior to the beginning of the concert).You can go from Vilnius to Trakai by the Philharmonic Society’s bus. In case of need, when buying a ticket to a concert at the Box Office of the Philharmonic Society, ask for a free travel coupon (one coupon per ticket). On the days of concerts the bus leaves at 13:30 from the square in Arklių Street and returns to Vilnius after the concert is over. The ticket to a concert of that day gives you the right to visit expositions of Trakai Island Castle Museum one hour prior to the event free of charge.

Utenos Pramogų ArenaĄžuolyno St. 9Tel. +370 5 242 4444www.ledorumai.lt

Concert Hall Piano.LtTrakų St. 9 / Kėdainių St. 1 (entrance from Kėdainių St.)Tel. +370 612 64264www.piano.lt

Lithuanian National Philharmonic SocietyAušros Vartų St. 5Tel. +370 5 266 5210 (information)Tel.: +370 5 266 5233, +370 698 52075 (box-office)Open: Box Office Tue to Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun 10:00–12:00www.filharmonija.lt

Tickets to the events can also be bought at box offices of the companies Bilietai.lt, Tiketa and Bilietų pasaulis (service taxes are imposed) and on the Internet websites (printing an e-ticket): www.bilietai.lt, www.tiketa.lt, www.bilietupasaulis.lt

Box offices of Bilietai.lt in the Old Town and in the City Centre

Box offices of Tiketa in the Old Town and in the City Centre

Name Address Open

Central box office of Bilietai.lt Gedimino Ave. 9 A Mon to Sun 10:00–20:00

Vilnius Small Theatre Gedimino Ave. 22 Tue to Sat 11:00–18:30, Sun 13:00–18:30 (closed between 15:00–16:00)

Congress Palace Vilniaus St. 6 / 14 Mon to Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–16:00

VCUP (Vilnius Central Department Store)

Konstitucijos Ave. 16 Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00

Box offices of Bilietų pasaulis in the Old Town and in the City Centre

Name Address Open

Russian Drama Theatre J. Basanavičiaus St. 13 Tue to Sat 10:45–18:30, Sun 11:00–16:00 (closed from 14:45 to 15:30)

Vilnius Town Hall Didžioji St. 31 Tue to Fri 12:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–17:00

Shopping Centre Europa Konstitucijos Ave. 7 A Mon to Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat to Sun 11:00–20:00

Name Address Open

Shopping Centre VCUP Konstitucijos Ave. 16 Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00

Bookshop Draugystė (Friendship)

Gedimino Ave. 2 Mon to Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat 11:00–18:00

Knygynas Vaga Konstitucijos Ave. 7 A (Shopping Centre Europa)

Mon to Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–20:00

Pilies bookshop Pilies St. 22 Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–17:00

All three box offices can be found at: Shopping Centre MAXIMA XXX

Mindaugo St. 11 / T. Ševčenkos St. 2Open: Mon to Sun 8:00–22:00

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National Art Gallery (NAG)Konstitucijos Ave. 22Tel. +370 5 219 5960Open: Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 12:00–19:00, Thu 13:00–20:00, Sun 12:00–17:00Admission: Adult 6 LTL, schoolchild, student 3 LTL, a child under seven freewww.ndg.lt

The National Art Gallery is a modern multifunctional centre of art and culture seeking to enter into a dialogue with the public. Visitors become acquainted with a permanent exposition (presenting Lithuanian modern and contemporary painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, objects, installations, and video art), changing exhibitions, and take part in cultural events, lectures and educational programmes. The Gallery also has the largest archive that provides information about the Lithuanian artists of the 20th – 21st century and a library-reading-room.

Jonas Mekas Visual Arts Centre (Gallery)Gynėjų St. 14 (Vilnius Gate complex) Open: Tue to Sat 12:00–19:00Admission: Adult 10 LTLwww.mekas.lt

A multifunctional cultural centre where works of Jurgis Mačiūnas, Jonas Mekas, FLUXUS artists and the artists who currently create and work in the spheres of cinema, video, computer art and mixed genres are stored and exhibited.

ART GALLERIES AND HANDICRAFT WORKSHOPS

Art Galleries

Arka GalleryAušros Vartų St. 7Tel. +370 5 212 1319Open: Tue to Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat 12:00–16:00www.arkagalerija.lt

Amber Museum-Gallery Šv. Mykolo St. 8Tel.: +370 5 262 3092Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–19:00www.ambergallery.lt

Znad Wilii GalleryIšganytojo St. 2 / 4Tel. +370 5 212 3020Open: Mon to Sat 12:00–19:00, Sun 12:00–17:00http://znadwiliiwilno.lt

Vilnius Graphic Art Centre Kairė-Dešinė Latako St. 3Tel. +370 5 261 1995Open: Tue to Fri 11:00–18:00, Sat 11:00–15:00www.graphic.lt

Lietuvos Aido Gallery Žemaitijos St. 11Tel. +370 5 212 4727Open: Tue to Fri 12:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–16:00 www.lagalerija.lt

Šv. Jono Gatvės Gallery Šv. Jono St. 11Tel. +370 5 212 4154 Open: Tue to Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat 12:00–16:00www.artistsassociation.lt

Goldsmith’s Guild Gallery Meno NišaJ. Basanavičiaus St. 1 / 13Tel. +370 5 231 3811Open: Tue to Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat 12:00–16:00www.menonisa.lt

Užupis GalleryUžupio St. 3-1Tel. +370 5 231 2318GSM +370 682 39946Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–17:00www.galerijavartai.lt

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Art Centre of Baltic AmberŠv. Mykolo St. 12Tel. +370 5 212 0499Open: Mon to Sun 9:00–18:00www.ambergallery.lt

The Art Centre of Baltic Amber opens its door to all those who want to get to know the mystery of amber. Visitors of the Gallery are acquainted with the history of amber formation, its healing qualities, are taught to distinguish real amber from artificial. The Art Centre of Baltic Amber organises exhibitions of individual artists, seminars.

The art Centre of Baltic Amber located in a nice street of the Old town provides its visitors with the oppor-tunity to see Vilnius cultural heritage in its authentic basement, to feel the spirit of our pagan ancestors in a holy place of the ancient Balts. Friendly and helpful employees of the Gallery, exhibitions of art items, and jewellery leave the guests of the Gallery fascinated with the most precious Lithuanian gold – amber. If you want to know more about amber you should visit the amber museum-gallery in Šv. Mykolo St. 8 and the amber gallery in Aušros Vartų St. 17 (near the Gates of Dawn).

ART CENTRES, EXHIBITION HALLS

Lithuanian Exhibition and Convention Centre LITEXPOLaisvės Ave. 5(GPS N 54° 40.668’ E 25°13.552’) (N 54.677806° E 25.225861°)

Tel. +370 5 245 1800 www.litexpo.lt

Contemporary Art Centre (CAC)Vokiečių St. 2Tel. +370 5 212 1945Open: Tue to Sat 12:00–20:00Admission: Adult 8 LTL, schoolchild, student 4 LTL, admission is free to all on Wednesdays www.cac.lt

The Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) is the largest art centre in the Baltic States. Retrospectives of famous local and world artists are held there, however, the most important activity of the Contemporary Art Centre is to present the latest trends in international art. Every year the Centre is visited by approximately 60 thousand people.

The reading room of the Contemporary Art Centre is open on Mon to Fri from 12:00 to 19:00.

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For further information on handicraft workshops and exhibitions please visit www.vdaa.ltDemonstration of handicrafts by advance arrangement only.

Handicraft Workshops

Vilnius Photography Gallery Stiklių St. 4 (entrance from Didžioji St. 19)Tel. +370 5 261 1665Open: Tue to Thu 12:00–18:00

Stasys Juškus’ Gallery Barboros Radvilaitės St. 6 BTel. +370 5 212 6611GSM +370 600 39999Open: Mon to Sat 11:00–19:00www.juskusgallery.com

Savickas’ Picture Gallery Trakų St. 7Tel. +370 5 261 5078Open: Tue to Fri 12:00–18:00, Sat 11:00–16:00www.savickogalerija.lt

Old Town Art Gallery / StudioTotorių St. 22-4Tel. +370 686 06383Open: Mon to Sun 11:00–18:00www.totgallery.lt

Rotunda GalleryA. Rotundo St. 3Tel. +370 5 249 7516Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–16:00

Gallery Actus magnusPilies St. 36 – 44 (entrance from the courtyard) Tel. +370 659 45722 Open: Tue to Fri 13:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–17:00 www.actusmagnus.com Pamėnkalnio GalleryPamėnkalnio St. 1 / 13Tel. +370 5 262 4552Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–16:0www.galerija-lds.lt

Anastazija ir Antanas Tamošaičiai Gallery Židinys Domininkonų St. 15 Tel. +370 5 212 3233Open: Wed to Fri12:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–16:00

Galerija AkademijaPilies St. 44 / Latako St. 2Tel. +370 5 261 2094Open: Mon to Sat 12:00–18:00

Mažoji galerija (Small Gallery)Latvių St. 19ATel. +370 5 272 2597Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–18:00www.smallgallery.net

Rusų meno galerija (Russian Art Gallery)Išganytojo St. 2 / Bokšto St. 4Tel. +370 5 212 3236Open: Mon to Sat 11:00–18:00www.rkc.lt/gallery

Gintaro galerija (Amber Gallery)Aušros Vartų St. 17Tel.: +370 5 212 5791Open: Mon to Sat 10:00–19:00www.ambergallery.lt

Wax Figure Museum (Gallery)Aušros Vartų St. 19Tel.:+370 673 72 311, +370 685 43 447Open: Mon to Sun 9:00–21:00Admission: Adult 16 LTL, students, seniors, and disabled 12 LTL, child (7-14 years) 6 LTL, group (from 7 people) 10–14 LTL, child (under 7) free. The price includes guide services and the possibility to take pictures. www.waxfigures.tik.lt

Name, contact information Open Fine handicrafts, works

Textile Gallery Aukso avis (Golden Sheep)Savičiaus St. 10Tel. +370 5 261 0421www.auksoavis.lt

Mon to Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat 12:00–17:00 (1–31 December and 1–31 June open Sun 12:00–17:00)

works of modern Lithuanian fine art made from silk, felt, glass, ceramics, leather, paper, wood and metal

Jūratė’s WorkshopDidžioji St. 20 / 1Tel. +370 5 231 4005www.jurate.eu

Mon to Sun 11:00–19:00 weaving, wool felting: woven tablecloths, serviettes, towels, and bed linen.

Užupis Museum-Gallery of Blacksmith’s CraftUžupio St. 26Tel. +370 5 215 3757, GSM +370 698 14122www.vilniauskalviai.lt

Tue to Fri 10:30–18:30, Sat 10:30–16:00

blacksmithery

Sauluva GalleryLiteratų St. 3Tel. +370 5 212 1227www.sauluva.lt

Mon to Sat 10:00–18:00 jewellery and souvenirs made of amber, ceramics, textile, wood, glass, unique palms from Vilnius region, post-cards and pictures made of dried flowers and herbs

Open Ceramic Studio-Gallery Amatų gildijaPranciškonų St. 6Tel./fax +370 5 212 0520, GSM +370 618 00142www.amatugildija.puslapiai.lt

Tue to Sat 11:00–19:00 pottery, ceramics

Vilniaus puodžių cechas (Vilnius Potters’ Workshop)Užupio St. 9 / Paupio St. 2-20GSM +370 659 99040, +370 659 99041www.pottery.lt

Tue to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 12:00–18:00

pottery, ceramics

Black Ceramics Gallery-Studio Molio laumėNaugarduko St. 20GSM +370 699 42456www.ceramics.w3.lt

Tue to Fri 12:00–18:00 black ceramics and earthenware

Artistic Paper Cut-outs Showroom (Klaidas Navickas) J. Basanavičiaus St. 29Mob.: +370 686 10804, GSM +370 687 90650www.klaidaspapercuts.lt

Mon to Tue 17:00–20:00, Wed to Thu 15:00–19:00, Fri 16:00–19:00, Sat to Sun by advance arrangement

cuttings, carvings

Delmonas Studio-Gallery J. Basanavičiaus St. 16 / 5Tel. +370 5 279 1282

Tue to Fri 11:00–18:00 decoration techniques: batik, painting on silk

D’Arijaus Papuošalai Studio-GalleryDominikonų St. 7 / 20Tel. +370 5 212 3143, GSM +370 611 00640Open: www.darijaus.comwww.darijaus.com

Tue to Fri 12:00–18:30, Sat 11:00–17:00

jewellery articles

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History History

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HISTORY

Lithuania is the oldest state of the Baltic countries. The Pope proclaimed Lithuania a European kingdom in 1251, after King Mindaugas united all Lithuanian tribes in the 13th century and was baptised, thus turning the young state toward the European culture.In the 13th–15th century the Grand Duchy of Lithuania developed into a large medieval state spread over the larger part of Eastern Europe. The 16th century was a time when Vilnius prospered: the capital became one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe and we still admire its heritage today. The history of Lithuania is full of drama: wars and occupations lasted for 700 years out of 1000 years of its history. A strong longing for freedom made Lithuania independent twice: in 1918 and in 1990, during the “singing revolution”. Lithuania of today is an active member of the EU.

Founding of Vilnius—the Legend

There is a well-known legend about the founding of Vilnius. The story goes that Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania was on a hunting trip in the hills around the mouth of the River Vilnia. When night fell, the party set up camp. While he was asleep, Gediminas had a dream in which he saw an iron wolf standing on the top of a hill and howling loudly. The next day he consulted a pagan priest, Lizdeika, about the dream, who interpreted the dream as follows: “What has been proposed by the gods for the ruler and for Lithuania shall happen! The iron wolf symbolises an insurmountable castle and a city which will be founded by the ruler of this place. The city will become the capital of Lithuanian lands, and the howling of the wolf represents the fame of the future city, which would spread far and wide.” Thus, Grand

Duke Gediminas of Lithuania conceded to the will of the gods and started to build the future capital, the name for which—Vilnius—was derived from the name of the Vilnia River.

Key Dates of Vilnius and Lithuania’s History

1009 Lithuania is mentioned for the first time in written sources – the Chronicle of Quedlinburg.

1251 Lithuania is granted the status of kingdom by a Papal Bull.

1253 Duke Mindaugas is crowned King of Lithuania. 6 July is the State Day today.

1323 During the rule of Grand Duke Gediminas, Vilnius was mentioned for the first time in history as the capital of Lithuania in Gediminas’ letters to the Pope.

1387 Grand Duke Jogaila baptises Lithuania, concludes an agreement between Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland, and grants Vilnius the rights of a city.

1410 The joint Lithuanian-Polish forces defeat the Teutonic Order in the Battle of Žalgiris (Grünwald).

14–15th centuries Lithuania, including its annexed lands, becomes one of the largest states in Europe.

1495 The first workshops for goldsmiths and tailors are opened in Vilnius. The capital starts developing as a centre of Eastern-Central European trade, industry and culture.

1501 The city water-supply system starts operating.

1552 Francisk Skoryna establishes the first printing shop in the city. The city becomes one of the most famous book-printing centres in Europe.

1547 The first Lithuanian book, Catechesis by Martynas Mažvydas, is published in Kaliningrad.

1569 Following the Union of Lublin, which formed the Poland-Lithuania Commonwealth —the Republic of the Two Nations—Vilnius starts to lose some of its attributes as capital, and Warsaw becomes the centre of the huge joint state.

1579 A school established by the Jesuits in Vilnius is granted the status of university. The university turns into the main cultural centre in the region.

1655–1661 A period of wars and occupation for Vilnius. Vilnius with its Gothic, Renaissance, and Early Baroque features is virtually destroyed. Residents are killed and exiled, and the city is plundered and set alight.

1795 After the third partition of the Republic of the Two States, Lithuania is annexed by Russia and turned into a Russian province, of which Vilnius becomes the main centre. Many city residents are killed or deported to the Eastern regions of the Russian Empire.

1830–1831 An uprising for independence against the Russian administration in the former Republic of the Two Nations is caused by repression and abuse of power by the empire.

1831 Following the defeat of the uprising, the Russian administration closes Vilnius University, turns Catholic churches into Orthodox churches, and closes monasteries or converts them into barracks.

1864 Following the second uprising against the Russian administration, the Lithuanian press is banned. Books in Lithuanian are published in Prussia and brought to Lithuania secretly by book smugglers (knygnešiai). Secret Lithuanian schools open.

1869 The St. Petersburg – Vilnius – Warsaw railway line is constructed, an iron foundry and a tobacco factory are opened, and the first brewery is set up.

1896–1902 Vilnius becomes the centre of a national revival.

1904 The ban on the Lithuanian press is lifted.

1905 The Great Seimas (Parliament) of Vilnius convenes and formulates the idea of restoring Lithuania’s independence.

16 February 1918 Following adoption of a declaration in Vilnius, the independence of Lithuania is restored.1920 Poland occupies the region of Vilnius. The capital of Lithuania is moved to Kaunas.

1939–1940 Lithuania’s independence ends with the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between the Soviet Union and Germany, whereby Europe is divided into areas of political influence. The Soviet Union returns Vilnius to Lithuania and occupies the entire country.

World War II During World War II, the Old Town of Vilnius suffers serious damage. However, numerous valuable monuments remain untouched.

1940–1953 The occupation authorities carry out mass deportations and repressions. Lithuania loses around one-third of its population.

1944–1953 The underground resistance movement is active in Lithuania.

1945 Lithuania becomes a member of the United Nations. The membership of this organisation comes as a result of efforts of the former players of independent Lithuania and the countries that did not recognise its occupation.

11 March 1990 The Supreme Council declares the restoration of Lithuania’s independence.

1991 Lithuania becomes a member of the United Nations as an independent state.

March 2004 Lithuania joins NATO and in May it becomes a member of the European Union. Vilnius becomes one of the capitals of the EU and NATO.

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On 16 February 1918, the Lithuanian Council proclaimed Lithuanian independence and signed the Act of Independence of Lithuania in this building. The Museum houses an exposition devoted to the signatories of the Act of February 16th, which is being constantly supplemented.

The Bastion of Vilnius City Wall

Bokšto St. 20 / 18Tel. +370 5 261 2149www.lnm.lt

The Bastion is a renaissance defensive complex of the 17th century built at the former city wall. The entire Bastion was converted into a museum, and since 1987 it houses an exhibition of defensive fortifications and weaponry, and from its observation deck one can enjoy the panorama of the Old Town. The Museum is closed for reconstruction; information about its opening to visitors will be available on the internet website www.lnm.lt.

Museum of Genocide Victims (KGB Museum)

Aukų St. 2 ATel. +370 5 249 8155 (information), +370 5 249 6264 (booking of tours)Open: Wed to Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–17:00Admission: Adult 6 LTL, schoolchild, student 3 LTLwww.genocid.lt/muziejus

The Museum is founded in the former KGB building. It houses historical-documentary material about repressions against residents of Lithuania carried out by the occupation regimes (1940–1990 m.), material about anti-Soviet and anti-Nazi resistance and information about the participants in the fights for freedom and genocide victims.

Visitors like this Tower very much because a spectacular view of the Old Town and the panorama of the centre open from its top.The Tower houses models of reconstruction of Vilnius castles, weaponry, and iconographic material of old Vilnius.

Kazys Varnelis House–museum

Didžioji St. 26Tel. +370 5 279 1644 (by advance arrangement)Open: Tue to Sat 10:00–16:00, admission free

The house-museum (33 halls) of the famous Lithuanian émigré artist, a virtuoso of stained-glass and modern art (minimalism, optic art, the new materiality) houses various collections of great value: old graphics, painting, sculpture, furniture of Renaissance and later periods, and a collection of oriental art, maps and abstractions by Kazys Varnelis himself.

The House of Signatories

Pilies St. 26Tel. +370 5 231 4437Open: Tue to Sat 10:00–17:00Admission: Adult 2 LTLwww.lnm.lt

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MUSEUMS

Lithuanian National Museum and its Subdivisions

The Lithuanian National Museum is the largest storage of Lithuania’s historic heritage of culture in the country. This is the oldest museum in Lithuania. It dates back to 1855 when the Museum of Antiquities was founded in Vilnius. The Lithuanian National Museum has 6 subdivisions in Vilnius: the New Arsenal, the Old Arsenal, Gediminas Castle Tower, the Bastion of Vilnius city wall, Kazys Varnelis House-Museum and the House of the Signatories.

New Arsenal

Arsenalo St. 1Tel.: +370 5 262 9426Open: May–September Tue to Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–15:00, October–April Wed to Sun 10:00–17:00Admission: Adult 5 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior 2 LTLwww.lnm.lt

The authentic displays of the Museum represent the history of Lithuania, present traditional Lithuanian culture, and customs. The Old Arsenal is situated nearby. There is a funicular from the closed courtyard of this

Museum to Gediminas Hill. A majestic monument to King Mindaugas stands next to the Museum. Mindaugas is the first, and the last, Lithuanian King. He was crowned in 1253. Mindaugas united Lithuania’s lands into a state and won international recognition of Lithuania. The monument to King Mindaugas was unveiled in front of the Lithuanian National Museum on 6 July 2003 when the 750th anniversary of the coronation of Mindaugas was commemorated. Its author is sculptor Regimantas Midvikis. The footstall of the monument is surrounded by the symbols of the ancient Baltic calendar, which are found in old writings.

The Old Arsenal

Arsenalo St. 3Tel.: +370 5 212 2452Open: May–September Tue to Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–15:00, October–April Wed to Sun 10:00–17:00 Admission: Adult 5 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior 2 LTLwww.lnm.lt

The pre-history of Lithuania is presented at the Museum: from the first people who appeared in the present territory of the country to the establishment of the State. Various tools and implements used by the first inhabitants of Lithuania, the history of Baltic culture formation are represented in the exposition of the Museum.

Gediminas Castle Tower Arsenalo St. 5Tel.: +370 5 261 7453Open: May–September Mon to Sun 10:00–19:00, October–April Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00Admisison: Adults 5 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior 2 LTL www.lnm.lt

www.muziejai.lt—an exhaustive portal for all Lithuanian museums.

For holders of Vilnius City Card admission to most of the museums is free. A list of discounts is available on the Internet website www.vilnius-tourism.lt.

The card that is valid for 24 or 72 hours can be bought at Vilnius Tourist Information Centres.

One can get to Gediminas Hill by funicular from the closed courtyards of the Museum (from the side of the Arsenal) or walk up the paved path from Šventaragis Square. (It takes the funicular 35 seconds to cover a 71-metre long track). Open:April–October: Mon to Sun 10:00–19:00, November–March: Tue to Sun 10:00–18:00 Cost (to both sides): Adult 3 LTL, schoolchild, student 2 LTL, child under 10, senior, disabled for free

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The most important part of the exposition is the KGB interior prison (the inquest isolator). The former KGB execution cell is displayed, and the material in the stand shows how it was done. Those who are interested in the history of the KGB can visit Tuskulėnai Memorial Complex. The territory of Tuskulėnai estate is the place of tragedies and cruelties of the 20th century where between 1944 and 1947 bodies of the people imprisoned and killed in the basement cells of the NKGB-MGB interior prison were buried. Address: Žirmūnų St. 1 F, tel.: +370 5 275 0704, +370 5 275 1223, for more information see www.genocid.lt.

The Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum and its Subdivisions

The first Jewish Museum in Vilnius was opened in 1913 but because of the wars and later due to the Soviet occupation it was closed. In 1989 the Museum was re-established and in 1997, when commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Vilna Gaon it was named the Vilna Goan Jewish State Museum. The Museum has four subdivisions in Vilnius, which reveal different aspects of the Jewish cultural heritage and tragedy, the Holocaust exposition, the Tolerance Centre and Paneriai Memorial Museum.

Historical Exposition

Pylimo St. 4 Tel.: +370 5 261 6253, +370 5 262 0730Open: Sun to Thu 10:00–14:00 (admission free)www.jmuseum.lt

The exposition consists of the Jewish Scientific Institute (JIVO), Jews in a fight against Nazism, the Gallery of Righteous Gentile, Jash Heifec and Vilnius, Avraom Karpinovičius’ memorial room, Chackel Lemchen’s memorial room.

Holocaust Exposition

Pamėnkalnio St. 12Tel.: +370 5 262 0730Open: Mon to Thu 9:00–17:00, Fri 9:00–16:00, Sun 10:00–16:00Admission: Adult 5 LTL, student, senior 2 LTLwww.jmuseum.lt

The Museum takes care of the historical, material and spiritual heritage of Lithuanian Jews, traditional and modern Jewish art objects, collects documents and things related to the Holocaust, organises touring exhibitions; cherishes Jewish culture and traditions.

Tolerance Centre

Naugarduko St. 10 / 2Tel.: +370 5 231 2357, +370 5 231 2356Open: Mon to Thu 9:00–17:00, Fri 10:00–16:00, Sun 10:00–16:00Admission: Adult 5 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior, disabled 2 LTLwww.jmuseum.lt

The Centre that is established in the reconstructed building of the former pre-war Jewish Theatre houses different expositions of the Jewish community and culture; it hosts temporary exhibitions of works of art of world-famous artists and the Jews who came from Lithuania.

Paneriai Memorial Museum

Agrastų St. 17Tel. +370 680 81278 Open: it is an open-air memorial, and the Museum is open Mon to Thu 9:00–17:00, Sun 9:00–17:00, admission is free

The Museum is situated in a house next to which about 100,000 people, including 70,000 Jews, were killed between 1941 and 1944. The expositions display pictures of the people who were killed in Paneriai, ordinances of the occupation authorities and other factographic material. Monuments to Paneriai victims are erected there.

The Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema

Vilniaus St. 41Tel.: +370 5 262 2406Open: Tue to Fri 12:00–18:00, Sat 11:00–16:00Admission: Adult 5 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior 3 LTL, family (irrespective of the number of children) 10 LTLwww.ltmkm.lt

The Museum contains collections of the history of these kinds of art, a rare collection of mechanical musical instruments of the 18th–20th century, collections of music recordings, works of scenography, retrospectives of creative work of masters of the Lithuanian theatre, and cinema, their personal things, etc.

Church Heritage Museum

Šv. Mykolo St. 9 (Church of St Archangel Michael) Tel. +370 5 269 7803, +370 5 269 7800Open: Tue to Sat 11:00–18:00Admission: Adults 9 LTL, schoolchild, student and senior 5 LTLLast Friday of each month admission is freewww.bpmuziejus.lt

The Museum is established in the Church of St Archangel Michael and in different buildings of the former Bernardine Monastery, in front of the Church

of St Anne and St Francis of Assisi. The exposition consists of the church heritage: works of art, liturgical equipment, historical documents and books. The most valuable displays from the sanctuaries in the city of Vilnius are presented in the exposition arranged in the Church space: the Cathedral, the Church of St Peter, the Church of St Nicholas, and the Church of St Theresa. The core of the exposition is the monstrance and reliquaries of the treasure trove of Vilnius Cathedral, which are material witnesses of the tradition of piety and masterpieces of jeweller’s art.

Museum of Energy and Technology

Rinktinės St. 2Tel. +370 5 278 2085Open: Thu to Sat 10:00–17:00Admission: Adult 10 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior 5 LTL, disabled 2 LTLwww.emuziejus.lt

Today the first central electric power station in Vilnius attracts more visitors than ever before, and it breaks the established stereotypes of a traditional museum. The exposition of energy allows visitors to become acquainted with authentic facilities of the electric power station, which was in operation not a long time ago, and a walk between steam boilers, turbines, generators, condensers and complicated network of pipes enables them to feel the spirit of such industrial objects. A wind and solar power station operating on the roof of the Museum presents to society alternative kind of energy that with every day is becoming more and more important. Lots of modern technological equipment, which encourages visitors to be not only observers but also active participants in the process of cognition, is used in all expositions. Interactive expositions are also arranged: Technology for Children and the Goal of Technology.

Jewish Culture and Information Centre Mėsinių St. 3 A / 5Tel. +370 5 261 6422Open: Mon to Fri 12:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–16:00www.jewishcenter.lt

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The Lithuanian Art Museum and its Subdivisions

The Lithuanian Art Museum has four subdivisions in Vilnius: Vilnius Picture Gallery, the Museum of Applied Arts, Radziwiłł estate, the National Art Gallery.

Vilnius Picture Gallery

Didžioji St. 4Tel. +370 5 212 4258Open: Tue to Sat 12:00–18:00, Sun 12:00–17:00Admission: Adult 6 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior 3 LTLwww.ldm.lt

The Gallery is established in a beautiful and spacious estate of the noblemen Chodkiewicz noted for impressive interiors of late Classicism. The permanent exposition of this Gallery offers a visitor the opportunity to become thoroughly and consistently acquainted with the development of Lithuanian art from the 16th to the beginning of the 20th century. It houses a collection of works by artists of Vilnius Art School. Different exhibitions, evenings of culture, concerts of classical music are organised at the Gallery. The Museum of Applied Art

Arsenalo St. 3 ATel.: +370 5 262 8080, +370 5 212 1813 (booking of tours and educational classes)

Open: Tue to Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–16:00Admission: Adult 6 LTL, schoolchild, student 3 LTLwww.ldm.lt

The Museum of Applied Art was founded in 1987, in the restored Old Arsenal at the Vilnia River, in the territory of the Lower Castle. It was built on the remains of the 12th-14th century wooden buildings, cobblestones and the defensive wall of the lower Castle. The exposition is

The Television Tower

Sausio 13-osios St. 10(GPS N 54º41.303’ E 25º12.846’) (N 54.688375º E 25.214093º)

Tel. +370 5 252 5333Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00Admission: Adult 21 LTL, schoolchild, student, disabled 9 LTL, child under 5 free www.lrtc.lt

The Television Tower is the tallest building in Eastern Europe. It is 326.5 metres high. A photographic exhibition devoted to 14 people who were killed during the tragic January 1991 events is mounted on the ground floor. Crosses and monuments at the entrance perpetuate one of the greatest fights in the country for independence. The Tower is open to visitors: a lift takes them in 45 seconds up to an observation platform, called Paukščių takas (Milky Way). This is a circular room, 190 metres above the ground, which revolves slowly, taking about one hour to complete one revolution. There is a café, and viewers can appreciate a spectacular view of the city and even of the surrounding countryside. In clear weather the panorama of the city and its environs can be seen within the radius of 50 km.

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arranged in the basement of the Arsenal. There you can see the surviving fragments of the early cultural layers of the city of Vilnius. The Museum displays works of art and articles of Lithuanian sacral folk art, icons of Old Believers, Orthodox Believers and Uniates, as well as metal work. The Museum of Applied Art also houses the permanent exhibition Findings from the Palace of the Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Radziwiłł Estate

Vilniaus St. 22Tel. +370 5 262 0981Open: Tue to Sat 12:00–18:00, Sun 12:00–17:00Admission: Adult 6 LTL, schoolchild, student, senior 3 LTLwww.ldm.lt

The part of the mannerist estate, which in the 17th century was referred to as “Vilnius Louvre” housed an exhibition of art of foreign countries (Western and Central Europe, Russia) for a long time. The largest thematic exhibitions of the Lithuanian Art Museum are arranged here.

Adam Mickiewicz Museum of the Library of Vilnius University

Bernardinų St. 11Tel. +370 5 261 8836Open: Tue to Fri 10:00–17:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–14:00Admission: Adult 4 LTL, schoolchild, student 2 LTL

The Museum is established on the premises on which the famous Polish poet and patriot of Lithuania lived. The Museum contains things that belonged to the poet, letters, the first issues of his books and his translations into other languages; three expositions are arranged: Adam Mickiewicz and Lithuania; Philomats and Adam Mickiewicz, Women in the life of Adam Mickiewicz.

Alexander Pushkin Literary Museum

Subačiaus St. 124Tel. +370 5 260 0080Open: Wed to Sun 10:00–17:00Admission: Adult 4 LTL, schoolchild, student 2 LTLwww.vilniausmuziejai.lt

The estate in which the family of the poet’s Alexander Pushkin younger son Grigory lived, houses several expositions devoted to the great Russian poet; also one can become acquainted with the screen versions and music created on the themes and motifs of his works. A magnificent interior has been preserved in six rooms.

The Money Museum

Totorių St. 2 / 8 Tel.: +370 5 268 0334, +370 5 268 0346Open: Tue to Thu 9:00–16:00, Fri 9:00–15:00www.lb.lt

The Museum started its activity 16 years ago, and at the end of 2010 it opened its door on the corner of Gediminas Avenue and Totorių Street. Here, in five halls located on two floors, visitors can become acquainted with the history of world currencies and banking, the currency of Lithuania, the development of banking in our country from the establishment of the first credit unions to the present day. Expositions abound in interactive educational tools, thematic films and games.

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PLACES OF INTEREST(These places are marked with the number on the map on the last page of the publication.)The historical heart of Vilnius is located in the surroundings of the Cathedral Square: the Upper Castle on the hill, the Lower Castle and the reconstructed Royal Palace at its foot (two out of four blocks of the Palace of the Grand Dukes are planned to be restored and opened to visitors at the beginning of 2013), the Old and New Arsenals, the Cathedral, monuments and Šventaragis Park around the Cathedral Square. Between the Cathedral and the Bell Tower there is a “magic” quarry tile. In 1989, the so-called Baltic Way – a live chain of people – stretched from this point in Vilnius to Riga and Tallinn (595 km long) in an attempt to initiate the battle for independence). Your secret dreams will come true if you stand on the tile, make a wish, and turn around.A symbol of Vilnius – rising high above the Old Town – is the tower of the Castle of Grand Duke Gediminas, the founder of Vilnius (also known as Gediminas Hill or Gediminas Castle, which dates back to the 14th century). A picturesque panorama of Vilnius opens up from the top of Gediminas Tower.On the other bank of the Vilnelė River is the Hill of Three Crosses. There are several legends about the appearance of crosses on the hill. However, the panorama of the Old Town opening from this hill is simply fantastic. A wonderful panorama of Vilnius and Užupis can be seen from a special observation platform in Subačiaus Street. When you admire the outside harmony of the places of worship, go inside; the interior decoration of most churches is quite impressive. The interior of the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles (17th century) is a real Baroque masterpiece that includes 2000 sculptures by Italian artists. While walking, just pop in the archaic courtyards to find the romance and the real spirit of the Old Town.

Cathedral-Basilica, Belfry, Cathedral SquareKatedros Sq. 1, tel. +370 5 261 07 31, www.katedra.lt

The Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislaus is the most important place of worship for the country’s Catholics and the venue for main Christian, folk and national festivities. In 1922, the Cathedral was granted the title basilica (meaning “royal”). This is the highest church category awarded by the Pope only to very special churches.Many prominent people of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy – noblemen, bishops and dukes – are buried in the vaults of the Cathedral. The Sovereigns Mausoleum located beneath the Chapel of St. Casimir houses the remains

of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Alexander. He is the only ruler of Poland and Lithuania buried in Vilnius. Vytautas the Great, grandson of Duke Gediminas and the most powerful Lithuanian ruler, is buried in the vaults of the Cathedral together with his wife Ona. Two wives of Žygimantas Augustas, Queen Elisabeth of Austria (Habsburg) and Queen Barbora Radvilaitė (said to have been the most beautiful woman of her time), are also buried here. The walls of the Cathedral also provide shelter for the urn with the heart of King Vladislovas Vaza (Wladyslaw Vasa). The ancient walls of the temple dating back to the 13th–15th centuries, and the oldest Lithuanian fresco painted in the 14th century, have survived in the vaults of the Cathedral.

Visiting Hours, Mass

Bell Tower

The Bell Tower situated opposite the Cathedral is the extant tower of the former Vilnius defence wall. It is 57 metres high. The Bell Tower acquired its present appearance after its reconstruction 200 years ago. It is believed that the quadrangular underground part of the tower was built in the 13th or 14th century. The round part with narrow windows, i.e. embrasures, dates back to the 14th–16th century. Later, the tower was turned into a bell tower and its upper part was constructed in a semi-Baroque and semi-Classical style. In spite of the mixture of various architectural styles, the Bell Tower is very graceful and harmonious. A clock was installed in the tower in the 17th century. It is unique because of the absence of the minute hand; the bell strikes announce the time every 15 minutes. For centuries, the clock supervisors had to climb 92 steps to the top of the Bell Tower once every week to wind up the clock mechanism. Several years ago an automatic mechanism was instaled.

Cathedral Square

The Cathedral Square is the historical heart of the city. Here, on the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers, at the crossroads of trade routes, the city of Vilnius was formed. Everything looked different in the Middle Ages: the

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Excursions to the Cathedral Vaults

Group tours are organised in the Lithuanian, English, Russian, and Polish languages for those who want to visit the vaults of the Cathedral-Basilica. A tour should be booked a week in advance. For more information call +370 5 261 1127.

We also recommend you to take part in the thematic tour Vilnius Dungeons (in the Lithuanian, English and Russian languages), which can be booked at Vilnius Tourist Information Centres tel. +370 5 253 2115 or by email [email protected]. More information is available on www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Cathedral-Basilica is open to visitors: Mon to Sun 7:00–19:00. Mass in Lithuanian: Mon to Sat in the morning 8:00, 17:30 and 18:30 (in St Casimir Chapel), Sun 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 (youth Mass), 11:15 (children Mass) and 12:30 (Mass) and in the evening 17:30 and 18:30.

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Vilnia River flowed around the present square. At present, a street is situated nearby. Barboros Radvilatės, Šventaragio, and Tado Vrublevskio streets have been laid along the path where the waters of the Vilnia River once flowed and fish lived. It is here, in the Cathedral Square and its environs, that all the Lithuanian military, political, administrative and spiritual authorities were concentrated for several centuries.The central decoration of the Cathedral Square is the principal place of worship in Lithuania – the Cathedral (Basilica) of Vilnius. Three castles were built nearby to defend the land: the Upper, Lower and Crooked Castles. Pink tiles of granite installed into the surface of the square indicate the place where the defence wall with its Western Gate, towers and the Bishop Palace used to be situated. By the time of Gediminas, the Vilnia River had already been moved away from the Cathedral Square; the new river bed, which we see today, was dug for that purpose. In this way, the Upper and Lower Castles ended up on an island. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the larger part of the Lower Castle was destroyed and the old river bed of the Vilnia was filled up. This is how the present Cathedral Square appeared.

Monument to Gediminas (in the Cathedral Square)

The monument to Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas was created by the Lithuanian American Vytautas Kašuba and Mindaugas Šnipas.Besides being the founder of Vilnius and Trakai, Gediminas was also one of the most famous rulers of Lithuania. His fame can only be compared to the fame of his grandson Vytautas the Great. Gediminas lived between 1275 and 1341 and ruled the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for 25 years. He moved the capital of Lithuania from Trakai to Vilnius. He was better known as a diplomat who attracted the attention of Europe to Lithuania than as a military chief. It was in the letters of Gediminas to Western Europe that the name of Vilnius was mentioned for the first time in 1323.

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This year is considered to be the year of the founding of Vilnius.Gediminas succeeded in expanding the state borders and the sphere of influence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania far to the east and south. Under the rule of Gediminas, Vitebsk and Volyn were annexed while the lands of Kievan Rus fell into a vassal dependence of the Duchy. On their trip west, the army of Gediminas even approached Berlin. The area of the Lithuanian state doubled during the times of Gediminas.

Upper Castle and Gediminas TowerArsenalo St. 5, tel. +370 5 261 7453, www.lnm.lt

The Castle of Vilnius was mentioned for the first time in 1323 in the treaty of Gediminas with the city of Riga. At that time the Upper Castle was still made of wood. The exact date when the stone castle was built is unknown. The Upper Castle was built to protect the city from crusaders. At that time, there were few trees and several drinking water springs on Gediminas Hill. In the 14th century crusaders came to the capital of Lithuania and attacked it eight times in total with the last attack dating back 1402. In spite of support received by the crusaders from English, French, Italian and Flemish knights, they could never occupy the Castle of Vilnius. At the end of the 15th century the Upper Castle was reconstructed by Vytautas the Great. Vilnius did not see any foreign army at its walls for 250 long years.In the middle of the 17th century, during the war with Moscow, the Upper Castle was almost destroyed and was abandoned for a long time.At the present time a part of the Castle is under restoration. The western tower, most often referred to as Gediminas Tower, has survived best. Now it houses a museum. Gediminas Tower is the symbol of the city of Vilnius. One can reach the Upper Castle and Gediminas Tower by a path from Sereikiškių Park or go by funicular from the inside courtyard of the Museum (on the side of the Arsenal) (more information p. 37).

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Katedros Sq. 3, tel. +370 5 212 7476, +370 5 262 0007 (to book tours and educational classes)www.valdovurumai.lt

In the 4th -8th century, a wooden settlement lay in this historical site. In the second half of the 13th century, a part of the settlement turned into a brick castle. In the first half of the 14th century it became the most important structure in the territory of the Lower Castle in Vilnius surrounded by a brick wall. Beginning with the Gediminas dynasty almost all rulers of Lithuania resided in it. They expanded the brick castle more than once and at the end of the 15th century its essential reconstruction was begun. The representative residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, which had Gothic features at the beginning, became a luxurious renaissance palace. In the first half of the 17th century it acquired features of early baroque. At that time Vilnius was one of the largest centres of Central Eastern Europe. In the middle of the 17th century occupants devastated the palace, and at the end of the 18th – the beginning of the 19th century it was completely destroyed. In 2000, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania passed the Law on the Re-establishment and Purpose of the Palace of the Grand Dukes. Two years later construction work was started. It is planned to open two out of four blocks of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to visitors at the beginning of 2013. The Palace of the

Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania will house the National Museum that has been in existence since 2009.

Church of St. Anne Maironio St. 8

The Church of St. Anne is a masterpiece of the late Gothic period. There is no consensus about its originator or its construction period. Popular legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte, who was fascinated by the beauty of the church, wanted to take it back to Paris in the palm of his hand. Unfortunately, the reality is not that romantic: during the march of the Napoleonic Army through Lithuania, the church was consigned to the French cavalry forces. However, Napoleon did mention in a letter to his wife that “Vilnius is a very beautiful city”.The Church of St. Anne’s, which has survived to the present day without changing for over 500 years, has become a symbol of Vilnius. Next to the Church there is a bell tower imitating the Gothic style and built in the 19th century.

Bernardine ChurchMaironio St. 10, tel. +370 5 262 6004, www.bernardinuansamblis.lt

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A full name of the Church is the Church of St Francis from Assisi (Bernardine). The building is monumental. In case of need it could have been used not only for prayer but also for defence. This is testified to by 19 aleois in the northern façade. Gothic pointed-arch windows and buttresses stand out on the façade; the 17th-century renaissance pediment is adjusted to the Gothic part with a 19th-century fresco. In the times of the Soviet occupation the Church was closed down and converted into a warehouse. After Lithuania re-established its independence, the Franciscan monks came back to the Church from the underground. The Bernardine complex has been declared to be a monument of Lithuanian cultural heritage, and in 2008 it was granted the status of a cultural project of importance to the state.

Service: May–September Mon to Sun 11:00–19:00, October–April 17:00–19:00Mass in Lithuanian: Mon to Sat 18:00, Sun 9:00, 11:00.

Visiting Hours, Mass

Church is open: Mon, Tue, Thu 7:15–19:00, Wed, Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun 9:30–18:30Mass: Mon, Tue, Thu 7:30, Wed 18:00 (youth), Thu 18:00 (in Lithuanian), Fri 7:30 (in Latin), Sun 9:00 (in English), 10:30, 13:00, 17:00 (in Lithuanian).

Visiting Hours, Mass

Guided group tours (at least 8 people) in the Church are conducted in the Lithuania, English and Russian languages on Thu to Sat 10:00–17:00, along the fixed route at the time arranged in advance. Group tours are booked on Thu to Sat 9:00–18:00 by email [email protected] or by telephone +370 682 40216 (two-day advance booking only. No tours on Sundays, Mondays, during liturgical rites and events).

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Church of the Blessed Mother of God Maironio St. 14

The Church of the Blessed Mother of God became the main sanctuary of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church some six hundred years ago.According to tradition, the Church of the Blessed Mother of God was endowed by Juliana, Grand Duke’s of Lithuania Algirdas wife and Jogaila’s mother. According to legend, the first church in this location was built by Grand Duke Algirdas around 1346. The oldest remaining walls of the Church date back to the 15th century. In the 16th century, the church was totally reconstructed by Prince Constantine Ostrogski. In 1609, the church devolved to Uniates – Eastern Orthodox believers who supported a union with the Roman Catholic Church. For a long time the church was abandoned. Two hundred years ago, it was transferred to Vilnius University and housed a library, classrooms, a museum, and dissection rooms. The current appearance of the Church is a result of its reconstruction in the middle of the 19th century, when it was returned to Orthodox Believers.

Užupis

Užupis is sometimes compared to Monmartre in Paris or Christiania in Copenhagen. Užupis is a “republic” of artists. It has its own anthem, constitution, president, bishop, two churches, one of the oldest graveyards in Vilnius (Bernardine Cemetery), seven bridges, and a guardian (the bronze angel of Užupis). The constitution of the Republic of Užupis is displayed on a fence at the beginning of Paupio Street.

This is one of the oldest districts in Vilnius and is mentioned in historic documents as early as the 16th century.

In earlier times, vanes of numerous mills could be seen turning here. It was the poorest suburb of the city and was inhabited mostly by craftsmen. At some point in its history, a red-light district was located nearby. In Soviet times, Užupis was badly neglected and had the notoriety of being the most dangerous district of Vilnius. In time, artists came to settle in the cheap accommodation in Užupis; moreover, the Art Academy was situated right across the bridge. Alternative fashion festivals, concerts, exhibitions, poetry evenings, performances, and original Užupis festivities are now organised here. At the present time Užupis is one of the most prestigious and expensive districts in Vilnius.The name Užupis means “place beyond the river”. The Vilnia River, often called Vilnelė, is an integral part of Užupis. It is therefore quite natural that one of the symbols of Užupis is a bronze mermaid, also known as the Užupis Mermaid, created by sculptor Romas Vilčiauskas. The mermaid occupies a special niche on the embankment of the Vilnia. It is said that it is the mermaid who attracts people from all over the world to Užupis. Those who surrender to her charm remain in Užupis forever.

A sculpture of an angel was placed in the central square of Užupis in 2002. The bronze angel, also created by sculptor Romas Vilčiauskas, has become the symbol of Užupis.

7 8 9 Pilies Street

Pilies Street is the oldest and most flamboyant street in the Old Town of Vilnius. The street appeared in place of the former road from Vilnius Castle to the south, towards Poland and Russia. This was the main road to the castle, with its branches finally turning into side streets. The name of Pilies Street was mentioned in historical annals as early as 1530.Kings, legates of the Pope, and envoys from other countries passed this street on their way to the castle. Noblemen and rich citizens built their houses in Pilies Street. Vilnius University occupied a whole quarter of the city beside Pilies Street, and university professors used to live there. The Botanical Garden of Vilnius University was established in one of the courtyards at the end of the 18th century. Church processions also went along Pilies Street. The broadest parts of the street were occupied by markets: the so-called Great Market near the Town Hall and the fish market next to St. Paraskeva’s Church (Pyatnickaya).

The street is distinguished for its architectural variety: Pilies 12 and 14 are Gothic, Pilies 4 is a Renaissance building of an episcopate college; and the pediment of the Church St. John is Baroque.A beautiful view of Gediminas Tower can be seen from Pilies Street.

Church is open: Mon to Sunday 10:00–12:15 and 13:15–17:00Mass: Sat and Sun 9:00.

Visiting Hours, Mass

Page 26: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Šv. Jono St. 12, tel. +370 5 212 1715, www.vu.lt

One of the most impressive parts of the buildings of Vilnius University is the Church of St. John and its bell tower. The full name of the church is the Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. The construction of this church lasted for almost 40 years and was completed in 1426. At that time it was a Gothic building. In 1571 the church was transferred to the Order of Jesuits and became a part of the University complexes. Besides masses, the Church of St. John has also witnessed student protests, theatre performances, and welcoming ceremonies for kings. In Soviet times, it was closed down,turned into a warehouse and severely damaged. Later, the University Museum was founded there. Today, the Church of St. John performs its main functions once again. It was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1993.The bell tower of the church, which is 68 metres high, is among the tallest buildings in the Old Town.The present façade was designed in the 18th century by the most prominent Vilnius Baroque architect, Jonas Kristupas Glaubicas (Johan Christoph Glaubitz).

Vilnius University Universiteto St. 3, tel. +370 5 268 7298 (visitors’ service),tel. +370 5 268 7103 (library), www.vu.lt

Vilnius University is one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe. It was founded at a time when the reformation movement was active in Lithuania and Jesuit monks were invited to help fight the mood of reformation. Jesuit monks were quick to take over education. In 1569, they established a college and in 1579 the University of Vilnius was born. The complexes of Vilnius University were formed over several centuries and, as a result, consist of the buildings built in Gothic, Baroque and Classical styles. The medieval architecture of the premises contrasts with the vibrant student atmosphere. Thirteen internal courtyards, arcades and galleries inject even more colour into the buildings. The courtyards are named

Places of interest Places of interest

4948

Presidential PalaceS. Daukanto Sq. 3, tel. +370 5 266 4011, www.president.lt

The Presidential Palace, called “Prezidentūra” (President’s Office) in everyday life, was built in the square of Simonas Daukantas (a graduate of Vilnius University and the author of the first history of Lithuania published in the Lithuanian language in the 19th century). Whichever way you chose to approach Daukanto Square, a narrow street will suddenly broaden and blend into the square predominated by a Classical building from the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century: a former nobleman’s house and the present-day Office of the President. The grandeur of the square is somewhat allayed by the Baroque towers above the roof of the palace.Here follows some information about the Presidential Palace. From the 16th century it served as a residence for Vilnius bishops. In the 18th century, when Lithuania was occupied and annexed to the Russian Empire, the palace served as a residence for the Governor General of Vilnius. Russian Tsar Alexander I, French King Louis XVIII, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and Polish Marshall and statesman Jozef Pilsudski visited the palace. In 1997, the building was renovated. Presently, the President of Lithuania and his Chancellery occupy the building, and leaders of other countries are received here. The flag of the President of Lithuania, which flies above the building, is lowered when the President leaves the country. Three national flags are hoisted in front of the building; two of them can be replaced by the flags of high foreign visitors. Every day at 18.00 you can see the changing of the guards at the Presidential Palace. Free excursions around the Presidential Palace are organised on Saturdays. During these excursions, visitors can see the interior of the historical building and they can even visit the office of the President.

after famous graduates and professors of the university; commemorative plaques in their honour can be seen in the Grand Courtyard. At present, there are 12 faculties and about 23,000 students at Vilnius University. The old building of the university is occupied by University administration and three faculties: history, philology and philosophy. There is also a library that was established in 1570. It contains over five million publications and old manuscripts. One of the two known originals of the first Lithuanian book – The Catechism by Martynas Mažvydas – is kept here.

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12On Saturdays free tours (advance booking) are organised to the Presidential Palace. Then one can see the historical interior of the Palace and even the office of the President.

Every Sunday at 12:00 a solemn flag hoisting ceremony is held (5–10 min.). Participating in the ceremony are soldiers of the Honour Guard Company of the Lithuanian Armed Forces dressed not only in ceremonial uniforms but also in medieval armament. The soldiers dressed in reconstructed uniforms of the guards of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of the 14-century Algirdas’ epoch carry the message that the present-day Lithuanian Armed Forces are guardians of the honourable history of the country, a part of its centuries-old history. For more information chech the Internet website www.president.lt

Church open: Mon to Sun 10:00–17:00Mass in Lithuanian: Mon to Thu 17:30, Sun 11:00 and 13:00.

Visiting Hours, Mass

A cycle of Alma Mater Musicalis and organ concerts is given at the Church of St John the Baptist and St John the Apostle and Evangelist of Vilnius University. Concert programmes can be found on websites www.lmrf.lt, www.vilnius-events.lt

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Admission to the architectural ensemble (courtyards, the Church): Adult 5 LTL, schoolchild and student 1 LTL. Open: March–October: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, November–April: Mon to Sat 9:30–17:30.

Those who wish to become acquainted with the ensemble of Vilnius University and the Library are offered guided tours in the Lithuanian, English, French, Russian and Polish languages every workday from 9:00 to 15:00. One only has to fill in an electronic tour booking form www.mb.vu.lt/ekskursija.php or contact the Communications and Information Division of the Library tel. +370 5 268 7103.

More information about the ensemble of Vilnius University buildings and historical halls of the Library is available on www.mb.vu.lt/kiemeliai

Page 27: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Stiklių–Žydų–Gaono Streets

These streets were included in the medieval Jewish quarter, which was west of Didžioji Street, and reached as far as Dominikonų and Vokiečių Streets. During World War II the so-call Small Jewish Ghetto operated there for a short time (Stiklių, Gaono, Antokolskio, Žydų Streets), where about 11-12 thousand people lived, mostly intellectuals, unskilled workers and people unable to work. The Small Ghetto survived until the year 1941. The Great Synagogue was built in Žydų Street (did not survive) which housed about 3–5 thousand praying people and was protected by 18 Torah rolls. Next to it there was the Gaon House of Worship, a famous library of Strašūnas and other buildings of the Synagogue courtyard for religious purposes. The Soviet occupation destroyed all that completely. Today a kindergarten stands in place of the Great Synagogue, next to it a monument to Gaon is built, in the place where his house used to stand. Narrow and winding streets with transverse arcades have retained their original appearance; some ancient architecture has survived or been restored: first of all houses in Stiklių and Gaon Streets.

Places of interest Places of interest

5150

Vilnius Town Hall Didžioji St. 31, tel. +370 5 261 8007, www.vilniausrotuse.lt

The Town Hall building was Gothic to begin with and changed with time. The Town Hall was reconstructed for the last time by the architect Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius at the end of the 18th century. During that reconstruction, the Town Hall turned into a Classical building. In the 19th century, the Town Hall was transformed into a city theatre where a famous personality – Polish composer Stanisław Moniuszko – conducted the premier of his opera. Among all the Polish composers, only Frederic Chopin could be considered more prominent than Moniuszko. In the 20th century, an art museum was housed in the Town Hall. Today Vilnius Town Hall is a representative building. Many different events are organised at the Town Hall during a year: concerts, literary evenings, presentations of books, exhibitions and festivals. The pediment of the Town Hall is adorned with the coat-of-arms of the city of Vilnius – St Christopher carrying baby Jesus on his shoulders. Visiting the Town Hall

Town Hall Square

The Town Hall Square has been the central square of Vilnius for the past six centuries. In 1387, Lithuania became a Christian state and Vilnius was granted Magdeburg rights. Thus, there appeared a need for headquarters for the city authorities. As the main square of the city was located here, it was

decided to build the Town Hall in the same place. The building housed the magistrate (in other words, the city councillors) as well as court rooms, the treasury, archives, an arms and ammunition warehouse, and rooms for preserving standards of measurement. A prison was established in the basement. Important trade routes, which later turned into streets, led to the Town Hall Square. Merchants from Moscow, Riga, Gdansk and Krakow came to Vilnius; thus, a merchants’ guild was built in the square. Markets and fairs were held in the old Town Hall Square; a pillory used to be in its centre and punishments still took place there several centuries ago. At that time, the Town Hall Square was much smaller and occupied the space between the present Town Hall, the Church of St. Casimir, and the beginning of Arklių Street. Merchants and craftsmen lived around the square, and many shops, workshops and inns were situated nearby. The building that belonged to the Small Merchants’ Guild has survived and now houses the museum of Kazys Varnelis. People in search of employment – and employers in search of workers – gathered in the square early in the morning. Often, performances by travelling acrobats, bears, mountebanks and artists were held in the square along with religious mystery-plays.

Church of St. Casimir Didžioji St. 34, tel. +370 5 212 1715, www.kazimiero.lt

The Church of St. Casimir was the first Lithuanian Baroque church. Jesuit monks built this church with support of the Grand Chancellor of Lithuania, Leonas Sapiega, in honour of Saint Casimir, the divine guardian of Lithuania. The church was designed in line with the plan of the first Baroque church – Il Gesu (Church of the Gesu) in Rome. The Church of St. Casimir was the main Jesuit church in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The sanctuary went through many hardships: it was badly damaged by fire in the 18th century, but was reconstructed; it served as a grain warehouse during the march of Napoleon to Russia; and it was reconstructed and turned into an Orthodox church in the 19th century. It is said that the prominent Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky came to pray in this church during his short visit to Vilnius. During World War I, it served as a church for German soldiers, and in the Soviet period it housed a museum of atheism.Following the restoration of independence, the Church of St. Casimir was returned to believers. Jesuits, who worked underground during the Soviet regime, returned to the building, which belonged to their monastery, and a Jesuit gymnasium was opened.A commemorative plaque reminds visitors that St. Andrew Bobola served God and people in this church.

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Detailed information about visiting hours and admission is available on the Internet website www.vilniausrotuse.lt

Church is open: off-season Mon to Sat 17:00–18:30, Sun 11:00–14:00, during the season Mon to Sat 10:00–18:30, Sun 11:00–14:00Mass in Lithuanian: Mon to Sat 17:30, Sun 10:30 (youth), 12:00.

Visiting Hours, Mass

13

Authors Teodoras Kazimieras Valaitis, Mindaugas Šnipas

Page 28: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

In the 17th century, a separate wooden chapel was built near the Gates of Dawn and the miraculous painting of Mother Mary was moved into the chapel. After a fire, a stone chapel was built. The chapel was changed to the late Classical style after its reconstruction in the 19th century. The magic painting of Holy Mother Mary, Mother of Compassion contained in the chapel of the Gates of Dawn is one of the most prominent Renaissance paintings in Lithuania. It is also called the Madonna of the Gates of Dawn or Vilnius Madonna. It was painted specifically for this chapel in the 17th century according to an example by the Flemish artist Marten de Vos. Catholics, Orthodox and Uniates (i.e. Greek Catholics) all worshipped the painting and considered it to be miraculous. It is known worldwide and copies are preserved in churches in many other countries.

Places of interest Places of interest

5352

Church of St. Theresa Aušros Vartų St. 14, tel. +370 5 212 3513, www.ausrosvartai.lt

This is one of the early Baroque buildings in Lithuania. The façade of the Church of St. Theresa is attributed to Constantino Tencalla, the court architect of Wladyslaw Vasa. The example of Maria Della Scala – a church of the Discalced (Barefoot) Carmelites located in Rome – was used for this project. Expensive construction materials – Swedish sandstone, marble, and granite – were used in the façade of St. Therese’s Church.The Church of St. Theresa belonged to the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites. The Carmelites is a religious order with eight hundred years of history. The name of the order comes from Mount Carmel in Palestine. In the 16th century, a reformed branch of the order – the Discalced Carmelites, famous for their mystical theology – separated from the mainstream order.The present interior of the church was created in the second half of the 18th century and has been preserved. The impressive high altar is among the most amazing in Lithuania.

Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit Aušros Vartų St. 10, tel. +370 5 212 7765

This is the main Orthodox Church in Lithuania. The male and female monasteries next to the church are the only working Orthodox monasteries in Lithuania.The privilege of constructing the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit from stone was granted by the Lithuanian-Polish King, Wladyslaw Vasa. The interior of the church is decorated with stucco mouldings and sculptures, which is not typical of Orthodox churches in other countries. Stucco is a mixture of high-quality plaster and marble, most often white or yellowish. A decorated reliquary in the centre of the Church of the Holy Spirit contains the remains of three Orthodox saints: St. Anthony, St. Eustatius and St. John. The Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius is the only Orthodox Church in Lithuania built as a Baroque church in the shape of the Latin cross. By the end of the 16th century, a monastery, a school and a printing shop were situated next to the church. In the 18th century, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit could not avoid the major shocks that shook the city: the Great Northern War, the plague, the Kosciuszko uprising, and later the French invasion. In 1749 the church was badly damaged by fire. It was reconstructed by one of the prominent Baroque architects of Vilnius, Jonas Kristupas Glaubicas (Johan Christoph Glaubitz). The church was again reconstructed in the 19th century.

Aušros Vartai (Gates of Dawn)Aušros Vartų St. 12, tel. +370 5 212 3513, www.ausrosvartai.lt

The first mention of the Gates of Dawn, one of the symbols of Vilnius, dates back to 1514. Today, many people associate the Gates of Dawn with a house of worship. However, several centuries ago, upon hearing the name of the Gates of Dawn, Vilnius residents would first of all think about the defensive wall of the city. At that time, the defensive wall of Vilnius had ten gates, but the Gates of Dawn is the only one that has survived. The embrasures in the outside part of the gate remind us of the defensive function of the construction.

To begin with, this gate was called the Medininkai Gates since the road to Medininkai passed through it. The present name may have originated from the title Aštrieji vartai (Sharp Gate) because the gate used to be in the part of the city called “aštrusis” (sharp) at that time. The other version of the origin of the name is that the gate is situated in the east, where the dawn breaks. In addition, Mother Mary used to be called the Star of Dawn.

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Church is open: Mon to Sun 10:00–17:00Mass is celebrated: Mon to Sat 8:00 and 17:00, Sun 7:00, 10:00, 17:00

Visiting Hours, Mass

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Open: The Church Mon to Sun 7:00–12:00, 16:00–19:15; The Chapel Mon to Sun 6:00–19:00

Mass is celebrated:Mon to Sat in Church: 7:30 (in Latin), 17:30 (in Polish), 18:30 (in Lithuania);in the Chapel: 9:00 (in Lithuanian), 10:00 (in Polish)

On Sunday in Church: 9:00 (in Polish), 11:00 (in Lithuanian), 13:00 (in Polish), 17:30 (in Polish), 18:30 (in Lithuanian);

in the Chapel: 9:30 (in Lithuanian)

Visiting Hours, Mass

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Chapel is open: Mon to Sun 6:00 – 19:00Mass is celebrated: Mon to Sat 9:00 (in Lithuanian), 10:00 (in Polish), Sun 9:30 (in Lithuanian)

Visiting Hours of the Chapel, Mass

Page 29: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Church of St Peter and St PaulAntakalnio St. 1, tel. +370 5 234 0229

This is the most exquisite Baroque monument in Vilnius famous for its interior décor; one can see about two thousand stucco statues there. Legend has it that a sanctuary of the pagan goddess of love Milda was located on this site. Since the times of Lithuania’s Christianisation a wooden church stood there, destroyed during the 1655-61 war with Moscow. The present Church of St Peter and St Paul was built by hetman Michael Casimir Pac to mark the liberation of Vilnius from Russians. The church acquired its present appearance in 1676, later it was decorated with stucco mouldings and frescoes. At the beginning of the 19th century a rococo pulpit was created. A square in front of the church is named after John Paul II in memory of the Pope’s visit to Lithuania and Vilnius.

St. Nicolas’ ChurchŠv. Mikalojaus St. 4, tel. +370 5 262 3069, www.mikalojus.lt

The Church of St. Nicolas is the oldest church in Lithuania. Its Gothic features have been preserved almost unchanged. During the last years of paganism in Lithuania, the Church of St. Nicolas was built by a German community living in Vilnius. Although Gothic, the Church of St. Nicolas acquired some Baroque features in the 18th and 19th centuries. New windows were cut out, a tower, a vestry and Baroque altars were added, and organs and a Rococo-style organ choir were installed. From 1901 to 1939, the Church of St. Nicolas was the only church in Vilnius in which Mass was celeberated in Lithuanian. It also served as a Lithuanian cultural centre. During the Soviet occupation, a sculpture of the guardian of Vilnius, St. Christopher, by Antanas Kmieliauskas was erected next to the church. It was an act of resistance since the city’s coat of arms picturing St. Christopher was banned under the Soviet regime.

For more information about the main sights in the Old Town of Vilnius dial 1389. Detailed information is presented in Lithuanian, English, French, Polish and Russian. Dial 1389, select your language, and press the number of the building that can be seen on the metal information stands installed near the sights. Call tariff for customers using foreign mobile networks — the local call tariff in Lithuania as applied by the home operator.

Information about museums, churches and other objects to be visited in Vilnius is available on the Internet website www.vilnius-tourism (under “Worth seeing”).

Church is open: Mon to Sun 6:00–18:30Mass is celebrated: Mon to Sat 7:00 and 7:30 (in Lithuanian), 17:00 (in Polish), 18:00 (in Lithuanian), Sun 7:30 (in Lithuanian), 8:30 (in Polish), 10:00(youth), 11:30 (in Lithuanian), 13:00 (in Polish), 18:00 (in Lithuanian)

Visiting Hours, Mass

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Church is open: Mon to Fri 13:30–18:30, Sat 8:30–17:00, Sun 7:30–15:00Mass in Lithuanian is celebrated: Mon 18:00, Tue to Fri 8:00, 18:00, Sat 9:00, Sun 8:00, 10:00, 14:00

Visiting Hours, Mass

52 5554

Places of interest Places of interest

The pilgrimage road of John Paul II was opened in Lithuania to remind people of the universal values of full and meaningful life accentuated during Pope’s visit to Lithuania (1993) – Christ, the Cross, the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Virgin Mary whose life was based on faith, hope and love. Therefore the pilgrimage road named after John Paul II includes not only sanctuaries visited during his visit to Lithuania but also other places that are famous for the tradition of piety. Vilnius abounds in them. More information on www.piligrimukelias.lt

Tourist Route around Vilnius for People with Movement Disabilities

A special route for people with movement disabilities running from Aušros Vartų Street to Arsenalo Street has been created in Vilnius. The route has been worked out taking into consideration remarks and propositions of the people with movement disabilities. The route consists of 33 objects to be visited, which are accessible having overcome slight obstacles (a hillside, a step, an uneven pavement). You are recommended to become acquainted with the route prior to travelling and to assess your physical condition and your strength. We recommend you to travel together with an accompanying person.

Duration of the route is from 2 to 4 hours.The total length of the route is about 3 km

The description of the route and the route map are available at Vilnius Tourist Information Centres. The description is available in the Lithuanian and English languages. The route is presented on website www.vilnius-tourism.lt (under “For disabled”).

Visit Vilnius Tourist Information Centre situated in Vilniaus St. 22. The Centre is adapted to disabled people in wheelchairs.

Pilgrimage Route of Pope John Paul II

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5756

GREEN AREAS OF VILNIUS

A unique area of the Old Continent – the geographical centre of Europe – is situated in the environs of Vilnius. In 2004, an obelisk dedicated to Lithuania’s accession to the EU was erected there. The star crown on top of the obelisk reminds visitors that the Kingdom of Lithuania was a part of civilised Europe as far back as the 13th century. An impressive feature of the location is the huge Park of Europe (Europos Parkas) situated nearby, which houses a 55-hectare outdoor exhibition of over 100 sculptures created by artists from over 30 countries.Two regional parks – Verkiai and Pavilniai – are situated within the boundaries of the city. Vingis and Kalnų parks are in the centre of Vilnius, and right in the heart of the Old Town is Šventaragis Public Park located at the foot of Gediminas Hill and Sereikiškės Park on the bend of the Vilnelė River.

Europos Parkas (Park of Europe)

Joneikiškių Village, Vilnius District(GPS N 54°49.846’ E 25°21.105’) (N 54.830763º E 25.351742º)

Tel. +370 5 237 7077 (for information, booking tours in Lithuanian, English and Russian, as well as other educational classes)Open: Mon to Sun from 10:00 to sunsetAdmission: Adult 21 LTL, student, senior 14 LTL, schoolchild 7 LTL, child under 7, teacher accompanying a group of pupils (ten pupils + one teacher), journalist upon producing a certificate freewww.europosparkas.lt

One of the most impressive contemporary art museums where art and nature merge is situated 19 kilometres from the centre of Vilnius. Park of Europe was founded in 1991 seeking to give a meaning to the geographical centre of Europe in the language of art. About 100 sculptures created by different artists of the world are displayed there. Among them are works by such well-known artists as Dennis Oppenheim, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Solas Le Witt. You will see not only the largest sculpture made of TV sets created by Gintaras Karosas, which is acknowledged by Guinness World Records but also lots of other ingenious works of art displayed under the open sky. There is also a museum-restaurant, and a souvenir shop there. You can also rent bicycles in the Park.

Getting there

Geographical Centre of Europe

Girija Village, Nemenčinė ward, Vilnius district(GPS N 54°54.370’ E 25°19.234’) (N 54.906174º E 25.320562º)

Open: open-air objects can be viewed at any time of the dayAdmission is free

In 1989, scientists of the French National Institute of Geography declared the geographical centre of Europe to be in Lithuania, 26 kilometres north of Vilnius. The geographical centre of Europe is decorated with a composition created by the famous Lithuanian sculptor Gediminas Jokūbonis and dedicated to the accession of Lithuania to the EU. It is a white granite column decorated with a crown of stars.

Sereikiškės Park

(GPS N 54°41.091’ E 25°17.619’) (N 54.684857º E 25.293649º)

Sereikiškės Park is situated right in the heart of Vilnius, between Gediminas Hill, the Vilnelė River and the Bernardine monastery. Residents of Vilnius like walking there in summer and children enjoy playing there. Upon entering through the central gate of the Park one sees amusements for children and numerous paths leading to the depth of the Park towards the Vilnelė River. There are also tennis courts in the Park.

Kalnų Park

(GPS N 54°41.315’ E 25°17.834’) (N 54.688585º E 25.297235º)

Kalnų Park is located in the centre of Vilnius and is conveniently accessible from T. Kosciuškos Street. If you climb the hill from this side, you will find yourself at the stage. In summer, various concerts and festivals are organised here. The territory of the park borders Užupis (Krivių St.) and the Vilnelė River. Several hills

Green areas of Vilnius Green areas of Vilnius

The most convenient way of reaching the Park from Vilnius is going along Kalvarijų Street as far as Santariškės roundabout, turning in the direction of Žalieji ežerai (Green lakes) and following the signs to Europos parkas. You can also take minibus No. 92 from Priest Bronius Laurinavičius bus stop in the direction of Skirgiškės (Europos parkas). The timetable is available on the Internet website of the museum.

The most convenient way of reaching the geographical centre of Europe is by car. From Vilnius go along A14 motorway in the direction of Molėtai and in kilometre 26 you will see the sign pointing to the left Europos geografinis centras (Geographical Centre of Europe). You can also get there by bus from Molėtai bus stop at Santariškės roundabaout (bus Vilnius – Paberžė). The driver will stop at the Geographical Centre of Europe at request. You can also take an express bus (Vilnius – Radžiuliai) from Vilnius Bus Station, platform 32. It takes about 30 minutes. Tickets are bought from the driver.

Magdalena Abakanowicz. Space of Unknown Growth

Mara Adamitz Scrupe. Suspicious Science. Daniel Holm

Marius Zavadskis. Carousal

Sculptor Gediminas Jokūbonis

Getting there

Page 31: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

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Vingis Park

(GPS N 54°40.948’ E 25°14.802’) (N 54.682459º E 25.246692º)

Vingis Park is situated on a bend of the Neris River and covers an area of 160 hectares. In the 15th–16th century, it belonged to the Radvila (Radziwill) family, and later it belonged to Bishop Ignas Masalskis. Even later it was owned by Vilnius Governor General Leontij Beningsen, who built an elaborate summer house in the pine forest. In 1919, after the re-establishment of Vilnius University, a botanical garden was located on the grounds of the former manor of Vingis Park. In the 20th century, the garden was severely damaged by both a flood and by war. The major part of the recreated garden was moved elsewhere.The park has two entrances: one from M. K. Čiurlionio Street, and the other from Birutės Street. Near the park entrance from M. K. Čiurlionis Street there is a Classical chapel and a cemetery for German soldiers. Vingis Park

is popular with the residents of Vilnius as a place for walking, cycling or roller-skating. Various concerts and events are held on the stage erected in the centre of the park. In 1988, Sąjūdis meetings were held in the stadium next to the stage, and in 1993 Pope John Paul II celebrated a Mass there.

Verkiai and Pavilniai Regional Parks

Directorate of Pavilniai and Verkiai Regional ParksŽaliųjų Ežerų St. 53 (Pavilion of Verkiai Palace architectural ensemble)(GPS N 54°45.034’ E 25°17.680’) (N 54.750573º E 25.29467º)

Tel. +370 5 272 9834www.pavilniai-verkiai.lt

Verkiai Regional Park

The Verkiai ensemble situated on the bank of the River Neris is very popular with the residents of Vilnius and guests of the city. It consists of a complex of Classical palaces surrounded by a park. Weekend walks or bicycle tours around the regional park and other environs of Vilnius begin from the palace in Verkiai. One of the routes winds between the lakes of Žalieji Ežerai (Green Lakes).

There are beaches, basketball and volleyball courts near the Green Lakes. Visitors may rent a boat, or participate in some jogging. Those with an appetite may visit the beer restaurant Verkių Malūnas (Verkiai Mill) at Verkių Street 100 or the grill pub Šernas (Wild Boar) in the territory of the Green Lakes (GPS N 54° 47.103 E 25° 20.091), (N 54.785054º E 25.334849º).Many foreign guests and pilgrims are attracted by Vilnius Kalvarijos. This is a unique architectural urban ensemble representing the Way of the Cross. Visitors can repeat the Way of the Cross by visiting 35 stations in Vilnius Kalvarijos. The length of the route is seven kilometres. In a deep ravine near the Way of the Cross, close to Station XIII, lies one of the largest and most interesting springs in the Verkiai Regional Park; it is considered miraculous. For a long time, Vilnius residents and visiting pilgrims have drunk the waters of this spring, which is believed to have healing powers (GPS N 54° 44.427’ E 25° 16.805’), (N 54.740458º E 25.280081º).

Pavilniai Regional Park

The core of the Pavilniai Regional Park is the valley of the Vilnia River. Visitors can follow the tourist route of the park, which goes along the Vilnelė River from Pūčkorių Dam. The Pūčkorių exposure is a unique geological monument.

Nearby you can also visit the territory of the former water mill where a restaurant and an entertainment centre Belmontas are situated now. There are also Belmontas waterfalls and Belmontas Adventure Park for those who like an active rest (more about it see p. 91).Next to Pučkoriai exposure, on the bank of the Vilnia River, there stands a sun clock. The Administration of the Park invites people to take part in cognitive walking tours that are organised in spring and autumn. While in Pavilnių Regional Park, take the opportunity to visit Ribiškių hilly area. A spectacular view opens from Liepkalnis hill situated alongside Minsk motorway. In winter Liepkalnis Hill is the most favourite place of skiers (more information on p. 93).

Tours in Verkiai and Pavilniai Regional Parks

The following cognitive tours are organised for those who wish to become acquainted with Verkiai and Pavilnys Regional Parks better:

Walking tours on Sundays: May to September 16:00, October to February 15:00;Biking tours on Saturdays: May to September 11:00. Duration of tours is 2-4 hours.Participants in the tours are accompanied by a guide, specialist from the Administration, who provides them with professional information. The route and the meeting place are announced on: www.pavilniai-verkiai.lt, www.vilnius-events.lt

If you go by car, take Kalvarijų Street through Baltupiai to the roundabout in Santariškės, and head in the direction of Žalieji Ežerai and Europos Parkas. When you go up the hill, turn right to Verkiai Palace.When going there by bus, take bus No. 35, 36 or 76 from the Priest Bronius Laurinavičius bus stop and get off at the Verkių Rūmai stop.

Getting there

Take bus no. 44 from Žaliasis Tiltas (the Green Bridge) to Pavilniai Regional Park. When driving from the city centre along Zarasų or Olandų Streets, turn right near the roundabout towards Belmontas and follow the road to the end. If you want to go to the Pūčkorių Exposure, drive along S. Batoro Street a bit further.

Getting there

Green areas of Vilnius Green areas of Vilnius

surround Kalnų Park. The Hill of Three Crosses is the most prominent of all. It is believed that at some point in history seven Franciscan monks were tortured to death by pagans on that hill, pinned to crosses, and floated down the river. Now the Three Crosses memorial by architect and sculptor Antanas Vivulskis stands there. Stalo Hill (Table Hill) got its name for its shape: its top is as flat as a table. The Hill of Gediminas Grave marks the burial site of Duke Gediminas. Not only people who want to enjoy the city panorama come here. It is also a favourite place for members of the Baltic religious communities, who go to the pagan altar to celebrate. Bekešas Hill was named after Kasparas Bekešas, a prominent military chief of the Lithuanian and Polish state buried there in 1580.

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Vilnius University Botanical Garden

Kairėnų St. 43 (GPS N 54°44.181’ E 25°24.182’) (N 54.736355º E 25.403027º)

Tel. +370 5 231 7933Open: the best time to visit the Garden is from May to the end of October Tue to Fri 9:00–17:00, Fri to Sun 10:00–20:00Admission: Adult 7 LTL, student, schoolchild, senior 4 LTL, family (2 adults + 2 children) 18 LTLwww.botanikos-sodas.vu.lt

The Botanical Garden of Vilnius University is not only the largest garden in Lithuania (total area is 199 ha) but also the richest one in its plant collections: plants of 9 000 names belonging to 886 genera can be found there, and the best and most impressive collections are those of rhododendrons, lilacs, lianas, peonies, dahlias and bulb flowers. The Botanical Garden is interesting as an object of heritage – a part of an outbuilding of an old estate that has survived in Kairėnai, as well as the old park with ponds, has been adapted to being visited. Various cultural events (concerts, art exhibitions) are held in the Garden. One can ride on horseback or go for a ride in a carriage.

By car: go in the direction of Dvarčionys.

By public transport: take No. 2, 3, 4 buses from Cathedral Square or No. 14 trolleybus at the Karalius Mindaugas bus stop and go as far as the Nemenčinės plentas bus stop (if you take No. 3, 4 trolleybus, go to the final bus stop, then cross the street and go about some hundreds of metres to Nemenčinės plentas bus stop). Take No.18 or 38 buses and go as far as the Kairėnai bus stop.

Getting there

Every year, from September to November, the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University implements the land art project Nature and Art and provides artists of different spheres (ceramicists, textile artists, sculptors, painters, photographers, poets, florists, musicians, dancers and others) with the opportunity to present their work in somewhat unusual natural surroundings – the Botanical Garden, and give the possibility to the visitors to enjoy them. For more information visit websites: www.botanikos-sodas.vu.lt ir www.vilnius-events.lt

Stone Sculpture Park Vilnoja

Zdziechovskio St. 27, Sudervė, Vilnius district(GPS N 54°47.471’ E 25°04.794’) (N 54.791183º E 25.079908º)

www.stoneart.lt

You can get to the Stone Sculpture Park via the town of Sudervė. This town is known for its round Church of the Holy Trinity built on the Castle hill. The Church is an architectural monument of the beginning of the 19th century. In the nearby park, on the lake, there is a hotel and a four-hectare park in which more than 40 modern stone sculptures are displayed. Some of the sculptures rise above the surface of the lake. Sculptors from Lithuania and abroad have been attending summer symposia here since 2001; their works are being mounted in Lake Vilnoja and amongst the greenery in a newly developed park.

Getting there

By car: the distance from Vilnius to the Park is 21 km. If you go from Vilnius you drive along Ukmergė Street, further follow the signs. A2 motorway, further 171 as far as Sudervė.By bus: from the Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 10, 11 (suburban). Buses to Sudervė run approximately 12 times a day (at weekends about 6 times).

Neris Regional Park

Vilniaus St. 3, Dūkštos, Vilnius district (administration)(GPS N 54°49.246’ E 24°58.473’) (N 54.820767º E 24.974545º)

Visitors’ Centre of Neries Regional Park is open: Mon to Fri 8:00–16:00, Sat/Sun (from 1 May to 1 October) 10:00–14:00, working hours of the Administration: Mon to Thu 8:00–12:00, 12:45–17: Fri 8:00–12:00, 12:45–15:45www.neriesparkas.lt

The Neris Regional Park is, first and foremost, the Neris River with its picturesque environs, small villages and layers of history of old Lithuania. The Park has been founded in the most beautiful section of the Neris River seeking to preserve the distinctive landscape of the river valley, the original fauna and flora, a unique system of loops of the middle reaches of the Neris River and natural tributaries, as well as the cultural heritage. The Neris Regional Park is laid out in the triangle–Vilnius–Trakai–Kernavė–linked with good roads of the country, which is especially attractive to tourists. Cognitive tours, various tourist routes are organised in the Park. The longest cognitive path in Lithuania for the disabled (2.3 km)–the cognitive path of Dūkštai oak-wood–is built here.

By car: go north-west along Ukmergė Street in the direction of Paribio Street, choose exit towards Bukiškės / Sudervė / Kernavė. Then turn right at the sign Avižieniai / Bukiškės / Sudervė / Vilnius (about 25 km from Vilnius).

If you want to reach the cognitive path of Saidė (about 15 km from Vilnius)(GPS N 54°43.197’ E 25°02.583’)

(N 54.719946º E 25.043057º)

along the most beautiful Saidė River, you have to drive along the highway Vilnius–Kaunas, and 2 km beyond Grigiškės you have to turn right in the direction of Stirniai. Then drive about 4.5 km straight as far as the Saidė River (on your way you pass the territory of the former sanatorium Aušveita).

By train: go in the direction of Vilnius – Kaunas, get off at the station Lazdėnai. From there you can either cycle or walk along the tourist route of the Neris left bank. This 23-kilometre long route runs through the forest paths along the Velniakampis Loop that is the largest in the middle reaches of the Neris. While travelling you will surely never get lost as there are signs along the route to folow.

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Green areas of Vilnius Green areas of Vilnius

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ENVIRONS AND OTHER CITIES

Two former capitals of Lithuania are situated near Vilnius. The first one is Kernavė. Its territory with five hill forts, which witnessed 11 centuries of Baltic history the only such territory in the Baltic region is included on the UNESCO Heritage List. The second capital Trakai is located among the pictur-esque lakes. The most impressive island castle in Eastern Europe can be found there.

Trakai

Trakai Tourist Information CentreVytenio St. 69(GPS N 54°38.304’ E 24°56.012’) (N 54.638401º E 24.933526º)

Tel. +370 5 285 1934, GSM +370 672 09476E-mail [email protected]: October–April: Mon to Thu 8:00–17:00, Fri 8:00–15:45, closed on Sat and Sun; May–September: Mon 9:00–17:00, Tue to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat/Sun, on days off 9:00–15:00www.trakai.lt, www.trakai-visit.lt

The old town of Trakai – which is extremely popular with the residents of Lithuania and foreign guests – is situated west of Vilnius between the hills, forests and lakes. The shores of the peninsula on which it is located are washed by the waters of Lakes Galvė, Totoriškių and Bernardinų (Lukos). This town, famous for its picturesque landscape and the legendary Trakai Castle, was a cradle of the Lithuanian statehood, an important military and political centre, headquarters of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes, and the capital

Getting there

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Events in Trakai

Month Name

May Museum Night

June (beginning) Trakai Town Festival “Trakai Summer”

June (first half) Trakai Medieval Festival

July Opera “Pilėnai”

July – August A series of chamber music concerts Užutrakis Evenings

July – August Jazz Fiesta on the boat Galvė, www.baltis.lt

August (middle) Kopūstinė Fair on Kopūstinė Island (Karaites Island)–Žolinė, the Assumption of the blessed Virgin

August (second half) Days of ancient crafts in Trakai Island Castle

September Sacral Music Festival

For more information about the events visit the Internet websites:www.trakukrastas.lt, www.trakaimuziejus.lt, www.trakai.lt, www.vilnius-events.lt

By car: Trakai is 27 km from Vilnius. Go along Savanorių Avenue, further follow the signs, A16 motorway.

By bus: from Vilnius Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 6, 7, 8 (local), 28 and 29 (intercity, via Alytus). Buses to Trakai run approximately 50 times per day (at weekends about 40 times), at intervals of about 10–20 minutes, www.autobusustotis.lt

By train: from the Railway Station (Geležinkelio St. 16, tel. +370 5 233 0088), www.litrail.lt

of Lithuania. Today, Trakai attracts visitors to a wonderful place offering refuge from a hectic city life, with walks around the beautiful area or yacht trips on one of the numerous lakes. Trakai is also known for the Karaimes (a people speaking the Turkic language), who have lived there since the 14th century and have preserved their traditions. The kenesa – a Karaime sanctuary – and houses of Karaimes have survived in Trakai, and the national dishes (the most popular is kybyn – a small pasty stuffed with minced meat) of this ethnic group can be tasted at the Karaime Restaurant. Those who want to admire the scenery of the environs are recommended to take a walking tour along the cognitive paths of Aukštadvaris and Varnikai Botanical Zoological Reserve (the length of the route is 10.1 km)(GPS N 54° 38.866’ E 24° 57.927’) (N 54.647766º E 24.965454º).

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Kernavė

Administration of the State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė Kerniaus St. 4 A, Kernavė, Širvintų raj. (GPS N 54°53.157’ E 24°51.235’) (N 54.885945º E 24.853919º)

Tel.: +370 382 47371Email: [email protected]

Kernavė, a small town situated on the right bank of the Neris River at 35 km from Vilnius, was one of the first centres of the State of Lithuania in the past (13th century). Pajauta Valley that is shrouded

Events in Kernavė

Month Name

23 June from 20:00–to 5:00 am Rasos (Dew Holiday) Festival (Midsummer Festival)

8–10 July (2011),6–8 July (2012)

International Festival of Experimental Archaeology Days of Living Archaeology in Kernavė

For more information visit the Internet websites: www.kernave.org, www.vilnius-events.lt

By car: the most convenient way of reaching Kernavė is by car. If you go from the centre of Vilnius drive towards Pilaitė housing estate, then go along Pilaitė Street as far as its end and turn right following the signs. Another possibility to reach Kernavė from Vilnius is to go along A1 or A2 motorways, then 108 or 116 roads.

By bus: from the Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 10 or 11. Busses to Kernavė run about 6 times per day, at intervals of approximately 30 minutes – 1.5 hours. Timetables are available on the Internet website www.autobusustotis.lt

Getting there

in legends and five hill forts at its edge protect the remains of the capital of the last European pagan state. The State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė was founded in 1989. The present cultural reserve, covering an area of 196.2 hectares, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, harbours complex archaeological strata from prehistoric times, and the entire area is used only for cultural tourism and scientific research. The exceptional world value of the place is continuation of its settling from the late Palaeolithic age (the 9th century BC) up to the present day.

Kernavė Archaeology and History Museum

The updated exposition of Kernavė Archaeology and History Museum will give visitors of the Museum the opportunity to become acquainted with the pre-history and Middle Ages of Kernavė (the Museum will be opened in the second half of 2011, after the new exposition has been completed to be prepared). Information is provided and tours are booked by tel.: +370 382 47385 or +370 382 47371.

Kaunas

Kaunas Region Tourist Information Centre Laisvės Ave. 36, Kaunas (main) (GPS N 54°53.837’ E 23°55.138’) (N 54.897291º E 23.918973º)

Tel.: +370 37 323436, +370 37 423678Open: off-season Mon to Thu 9:00–18:00, Fri 9:00–17:00; during the season Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–18:00 (closed 13:00–14:00), Sun 10:00–15:00http://visit.kaunas.lt

Centres also operate in Kaunas Bus and Railway Stations, at Kaunas International Airport, the hotel Park Inn.

Getting there

By car: A1 motorwayBy bus: from the Buss Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 35, 36, 37. On workdays about 20 buses run to Kaunas at different intervals–from 10 minutes to one hour; timetables can be found on the Internet website www.autobusustotis.lt.By train: from the Railway Station (Geležinkelio St. 16, tel. +370 5 233 0088), www.litrail.lt

Klaipėda

Klaipėda Tourist and Culture Information Centre Turgaus St. 7, Klaipėda (GPS N 55°42.500’ E 21°08.019’) (N 55.708337º E 21.133648º)

Tel. +370 46 412186Email: [email protected]: off-season Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, during the season Mon to Fri 9:00–19:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–16:00www.klaipedainfo.lt

Getting there

By car: A1 motorwayBy bus: from the Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 35, 37Buses to Klaipėda run approximately 8 times per day at intervals from 30 minutes to 8 hours. By train: from the Railway Station (Geležinkelio St. 16, tel. +370 5 233 0088), www.litrail.lt

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Birštonas

Birštonas Tourist Information Centre Jaunimo St. 3, Birštonas (GPS N 54°35.574’ E 24°01.606’) (N 54.592894º E 24.026767º)

Tel. +370 319 65740Email: [email protected]: off-season Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–18:00; during the season Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–18:00www.visitbirstonas.lt

Getting there

By car: A1 motorway, then A16 motorway

By bus: from the Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 23 and 29. Buses to Birštonas run approximately 8 times per day from 7:10 to 18:10, timetables are available on the Internet website www.autobusustotis.lt.

Druskininkai

Druskininkai Tourist and Business Information CentresGardino St. 3, M. K. Čiurlionio St. 65, Druskininkai(GPS N 54°00.924’ E 23°58.647’) (Gardino g. 3) (N 54.015396º E 23.97745º)

Tel.: +370 313 60800, +370 313 51777Email: [email protected]: (Gardino St. 3) Mon to Thu 8:30–17:15, Fri 8:30–16:15 (closed 12:15–13:00);(M. K. Čiurlionio St. 65) Mon to Sat 10:00–18:45 (closed 12:15–13:00), Sun 10:00–17:00 (without lunch break)www.info.druskininkai.lt

Getting there

By car: from Vilnius go in the direction of Trakai along A16 motorway, after passing Paneriai drive along A4 motorway.

By bus: from the Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 29, 30 and 31. Buses to Druskininkai run about 13 times per day, at the interval from 30 minutes to 1.5 hour.

Palanga

Palanga Tourist Information Centre Kretingos St. 1, Palanga (GPS N 55°55.092’ E 21°04.015’) (N 55.918206º E 21.066918º)

Tel. +370 460 48811Email: [email protected]: off-season Mon to Fri 9:00–17:00, Sat 10:00–14:00; during the season Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–16:00www.palangatic.lt

Getting there

By car: along A1 (E85) motorway as far as Klaipėda and turn into A13 (E272)

By bus: from Vilnius Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platforms No. 35, 36, 37.On workdays about 8-10 buses go to Palanga, the timetables are available on the Internet website www.autobusustotis.lt.

ŠiauliaiŠiauliai Tourist Information Centre Vilniaus St. 213, Šiauliai (GPS N 55°55.948’ E 23°18.779’) (N 55.932462º E 23.312983º)

Tel.: +370 41 523110, +370 41 521105Email: tic@ siauliai.ltOpen: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–16:00, from 15 June to 1 September also on Sun 10:00–15:00www.siauliai.lt/tic For information contact the Tourist Information and Convention Centre of Šiauliai district (J. Basanavičiaus St. 7, Kuršėnai, Šiaulių district, open: Mon to Fri 8:00–17:00) and the Information Centre near the Hill of Crosses (tel. +370 41 370860, open: November to February Mon to Sun 9:00–17:00, March to October Mon to Sun 9:00–18:00).

Getting there

Getting to Kryžių kalnas (the Hill of Crosses)

By car: A1 motorway, then A12 motorwayBy bus: From Vilnius Bus Station (Sodų St. 22, tel. 1661), platform Nr. 24 buses run to Šiauliai approximately 8 times per day from 7:10 to 18:10, timetables can be found on the internet website www.autobusustotis.lt.By train: from the Railway Station (Geležinkelio St. 16, tel. +370 5 233 0088), www.litrail.lt

By car: Drive along A12 motorway in the direction of Joniškis and Riga. At the sign Kryžių kalnas 2 km (Hill of Crosses 2 km) turn right (GPS N 56°00.932’ E 23°24.821’), (N 56.015536º E 23.41368º).On bicycle from Šiauliai: ride along A12 motorway in the direction of Joniškis and Riga. On the right side of the motorway there is a cycle track. At the sign Kryžių kalnas 2 km (Hil of Crosses 2 km) turn right. By Bus: Buses Šiauliai – Joniškis leave Šiauliai Bus Station: 7:25 (except Sundays), 8:25, 10:25, 11:00, 12:15, 13:10, 14:15, 15:40. Get off at the Domantai bus stop (third from Šiauliai). Buses leave the Domantai bus stop for Šiauliai: 7:43, 9:37 (except Sundays), 10:43, 12:17, 13:03, 14:03, 15:07, 17:32.

Environs and other cities Environs and other cities

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Accommodation

HOTELS

5 star hotels

LE MÉRIDIEN VILNIUS *****Ežeraičio Village, Avižieniai, Vilnius District (19th kilometre)Tel. +370 5 273 9700www.lemeridienvilnius.com NARUTIS ***** Pilies St. 24Tel. +370 5 212 2894www.narutis.com

RADISSON BLU ASTORIJA ***** Didžioji St. 35 / 2Tel. +370 5 212 0110www.vilnius.radissonsas.com

RELAIS & CHATEAUX STIKLIAI HOTEL *****Gaono St. 7Tel. +370 5 264 9595www.stikliaihotel.lt

RAMADA VILNIUS ***** Subačiaus St. 2Tel. +370 5 255 3355www.ramadavilnius.lt, www.ramada.com

4 star hotels

ARTIS CENTRUM HOTELS ****Liejyklos St. 11 / 23Tel. +370 5 266 0366www.centrumhotels.com

ATRIUM **** Pilies St. 10Tel. +370 5 210 7777www.atrium.lt

RADISSON BLU HOTEL LIETUVA **** Konstitucijos Ave. 20Tel. +370 5 272 6272www.radissonblu.com/lietuvahotel-vilnius

BEST WESTERN VILNIUS *** Konstitucijos Ave. 14Tel. +370 5 273 9595http://vilniushotel.eu/LT/Vilnius

AMBERTON **** L. Stuokos-Gucevičiaus St. 3Tel. +370 5 210 7461www.klaipedahotel.lt

CONGRESS **** Vilniaus St. 2 / 15Tel. +370 5 269 1919www.congress.lt

CONTI **** Raugyklos St. 7 / 2Tel. +370 5 251 4111www.contihotel.lt

CROWNE PLAZA VILNIUS ***** M. K. Čiurlionio St. 84Tel. +370 5 274 3400www.cpvilnius.com

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Accommodation

EUROPA ROYALE VILNIUS **** Aušros Vartų St. 6Tel. +370 5 266 0770www.europaroyale.com

HOLIDAY INN VILNIUS ****Šeimyniškių St. 1Tel. +370 5 210 3000www.holidayinnvilnius.lt

MABRE RESIDENCE HOTEL ****Maironio St. 13Tel. +370 5 212 2087www.mabre.lt

NOVOTEL VILNIUS CENTRE ****Gedimino Ave. 16 Tel. +370 5 266 6200www.novotel.comwww.accorhotels.com

RATONDA CENTRUM HOTELS ****Gedimino Ave. 52 / 1Tel. +370 5 212 0670www.centrumhotels.com

NERINGA ****Gedimino Ave. 23Tel. +370 5 212 2288www.neringahotel.com

SHAKESPEARE BOUTIQUE HOTEL ****Bernardinų St. 8 / 8Tel. +370 5 266 5885www.shakespeare.lt

ŠARŪNAS ****Raitininkų St. 4Tel. +370 5 272 4888www.hotelsarunas.lt

GROTTHUSS HOTEL ****Ligoninės St. 7 Tel. +370 5 266 0322www.grotthusshotel.com

EMBASSY HOTEL BALATONAS ****Latvių St. 38Tel. +370 5 272 2250www.embassyhotel.lt

3 star hotels

ADELITA ***Rodūnios Kelias 8 Tel. +370 5 232 9304www.adelita.lt

A5 HOTEL ***Fabijoniškių St. 6Tel. +370 5 270 2409www.a5hotel.lt

ALGIRDAS CITY HOTEL *** Algirdo St. 24Tel. +370 5 232 6650www.algirdashotel.lt

AMICUS HOTEL ***Kaminkelio St. 15Tel. +370 5 237 5880www.amicushotel.lt

APIA ***Šv. Ignoto St. 12Tel. +370 5 212 3426www.apia.lt

A. V. GODA ***Kalvarijų St. 265Tel. +370 5 277 7773www.hotelgoda.lt

CITY GATE ***Bazilijonų St. 3Tel. +370 5 210 7306www.citygate.lt

Vilnius Tourist Information Centres can help you book accommodation in the private sector.

You may book hotels or guest houses online www.vilnius-tourism.lt

ACCOMMODATION

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BAJORŲ UŽEIGA ***Sudervės St. 10, Avižieniai, Vilnius District Tel. +370 5 240 3957www.bajoruuzeiga.lt

CENTRO KUBAS – ANGEL ***Stiklių St. 3Tel. +370 5 266 0860http://hotel.centrokubas.lt

CENTRUM UNIQUESTAY ***Vytenio St. 9 / 25Tel. +370 5 268 3300www.uniquestay.com

COMFORT VILNIUS ***Gėlių St. 5Tel. +370 5 264 8833www.comfort.lt

E-GUESTHOUSE ***T. Ševčenkos St. 16Tel. +370 5 266 0730www.e-guesthouse.lt

EUROPA CITY VILNIUS ***J. Jasinskio St. 14Tel. +370 5 251 4477www.groupeuropa.com/europa_city_lt

KAROLINA ***Sausio 13-osios St. 2Tel. +370 5 216 8934www.karolina.lt

MARTIALIS ***Bistryčios St. 13Tel. +370 5 210 4800www.martialis.lt

PANORAMA ***Sodų St. 14Tel. +370 5 233 8822www.hotelpanorama.lt

PONAS TADAS ***Naugarduko St. 76Tel. +370 5 233 3663www.polskidom.lt

PARK INN VILNIUS NORTH ***Ukmergės St. 363Tel. +370 5 238 8000www.parkinn.com/hotel-vilnius

RINNO ***Vingrių St. 25Tel. +370 5 262 2828www.rinno.lt

TILTO HOTEL *** Tilto St. 8Tel. +370 5 210 0021www.hoteltilto.com

ŽEMAITĖS HOTEL ***Žemaitės St. 15Tel. +370 5 213 3193www.hotelzemaites.lt

EUROPA STAY VILNIUS ***Ąžuolyno St. 7Tel. +370 5 236 2222www.groupeuropa.com/europa_stay_lt

2 star hotels

AMBASSADOR **Gedimino Ave. 12Tel. +370 5 261 5450www.ambassador.lt

ECOTEL VILNIUS **Slucko St. 8Tel. +370 5 210 2700www.ecotel.lt

GILĖ **T. Ševčenkos St. 16Tel. +370 5 203 2074www.gilehotel.lt

JERUZALĖ HOTEL **Kalvarijų St. 247Tel. +370 5 271 4040www.jeruzalehotel.com

MIKOTEL **Pylimo St. 63Tel. +370 5 260 9626www.mikotelgroup.com

RŪDNINKŲ VARTAI **Rūdninkų St. 15 / 46Tel. +370 5 261 3916www.cityhotels.lt

RUNMIS **Panevėžio St. 8 A Tel. +370 5 265 6816www.runmis.lt

SKRYDIS HOTEL **Rodūnios Kelias 8 (at Vilnius International Airport)Tel. +370 5 232 9099www.vno.lt

VELGA **Geležinio Vilko St. 3Tel. +370 5 231 1435www.hotelvelga.lt

Accommodation Accommodation

VILNIAUS EUROPOLIS **Švitrigailos St. 11 DTel. +370 5 215 0410www.europolis.lt

ŽIJŪRĖ **Žirnių St. 10Tel. +370 5 215 2244www.zijure.lt

VIVA GREEN RESORT **Tuščiaulių Village, Nemenčinė Ward, VilniusMob. +370 612 34207www.vivagreenresort.lt

1 star hotels

ASIMARĖ *Žirmūnų St. 149Tel. +370 5 271 4001www.asimare.lt

HOTEL VLASPA* Šv. Stepono St. 11 Tel. +370 5 216 0254

GUEST HOUSES

DVARAS ****Tilto St. 3-1Tel. +370 5 210 7370www.dvaras.lt

MANO LIZA ****Ligoninės St. 5Tel. +370 5 212 2225www.hotelinvilnius.lt

IDA BASAR ****Subačiaus St. 1Tel. +370 5 262 2909www.idabasar.lt

VINGRIAI ****Vingrių St. 25Tel. +370 5 212 2859www.hotelvingriai.lt

PRAMOGŲ BANKAS GUEST HOUSE ****Pamėnkalnio St. 7 / A. Stulginskio St. 8Tel. +370 700 55555www.pramogubankas.lt

SENATORIAI ****Tilto St. 2Tel. +370 5 212 6491 www.senatoriai.lt

DOMUS MARIA ***Aušros Vartų St. 12Tel. +370 5 264 4880http://domusmaria.vilnensis.lt

GRYBAS HOUSE ***Aušros Vartų St. 3Tel. +370 5 264 7474www.grybashouse.com

TELECOM GUEST HOUSE ***A. Vivulskio St. 13 ATel. +370 5 264 4861www.telecomguesthouse.lt

LITINTERP **Bernardinų St. 7Tel. +370 5 212 3850 www.litinterp.lt

MILŽINŲ PAUNKSMĖ *Kedrų St. 6Tel. +370 5 233 9887E-mail [email protected]

YOUTH HOSTELS

YOUTH GUEST HOUSE *Konstitucijos Ave. 25Tel. +370 5 272 2270www.jnn.lt

STUDENTS AND YOUTH HOSTEL *Saulėtekio Ave. 4, Saulėtekio Ave. 6, Saulėtekio Ave. 39, Didlaukio St. 59Tel. +370 5 231 5165www.bustas.vu.lt

A HOSTELŠv. Stepono St. 15, Sodų St. 17 Tel. +370 5 233 5396www.ahostel.lt

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Accommodation

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VILNIUS YOUNG TOURISTS’ CENTRE *Polocko St. 7Tel. +370 5 261 1547www.vjtc.lt

FILARETAI YOUTH HOSTEL Filaretų St. 17Tel. +370 5 215 4627www.filaretaihostel.lt

AVIŽASodų St. 13Tel. +370 5 213 9477, mob. +370 615 38559www.aviza-hostel.com

PAUPIO NAMAIPaupio St. 31 A Tel. +370 5 264 3113www.paupio.lt

OLD TOWN YOUTH HOSTELAušros Vartų St. 20-15 ATel. +370 5 262 5357E-mail [email protected]

STUDENTS AND YOUTH HOSTEL OF VILNIUS PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY A. Vivulskio St. 36Tel.: +370 5 213 0704www.sveciunamai.vpu.lt

YOUTH HOSTEL FORTŪNALiepkalnio St. 2 Mob. + 370 623 45050 www.fortunahostel.lt

MOTELS

LINGĖS MOTEL ***Nemėžio Village, Vilnius DistrictTel. +370 5 247 2166www.hotelslinges.com

PARADISĖ ***Ukmergės St. 246 Tel. +370 5 243 0154www.motelparadise.lt

SVAJONĖ ***Vilniaus St. 61, Nemenčinė, Vilnius DistrictTel.+370 5 232 6800, GMS +370 698 48186www.hotelsvajone.lt

TANAGRA ***Minsko Plentas 26 ATel. +370 5 235 5204www.tanagra.lt/motel

For more information about camping in Lithuania please see the website www.camping.lt

EATING OUT

Lithuanian Cuisine

Bernelių užeigaA. Vienuolio St. 1 / Gedimino Ave. 19Tel. +370 5 210 0599, mob. +370 663 60232www.berneliuuzeiga.lt

Restaurant NeringaGedimino Ave.3Tel. +370 5 261 4058 (table reservation)www.restoranasneringa.lt

Žemaičiai Vokiečių St. 24Tel. +370 5 261 6573www.zemaiciai.lt

LokysStiklių St. 8 / 10Tel. +370 5 262 9046www.lokys.lt

Čili kaimas (Chilli Village)Vokiečių St. 8Tel. +370 5 231 2536www.cili.lt

Čili kaimas Gedimino Ave. 14Tel. +370 5 212 1422www.cili.lt

GabiŠv. Mykolo St. 6Tel. +370 5 212 3643http://gabi.meniu.lt

Forto dvarasPilies St. 16Tel. +370 5 261 1070, mob. +370 656 13688www.fortodvaras.lt

Marceliukės klėtis Tuskulėnų St. 35Tel. +370 5 272 5087www.marceliukeskletis.tinkle.lt

Pilies menėPilies St. 8Tel. +370 5 261 2552

Agotos gryčiaŠeškinės St. 59 ATel. +370 5 242 6205www.agotosgrycia.lt

Katpedėlės pirkia P. Lukšio St. 34 (Trade Park Banginis)Tel. +370 5 278 8814, mob. +370 620 68419www.katpedele.lt

Argentinean Cuisine

El Gaucho Sano Pilies St. 10Tel. +370 5 210 7773www.atrium.lt

European Cuisine

Amatininkų užeigaDidžioji St. 19 / 2Tel. +370 5 261 7968, mob. +370 687 22366www.amatininkai.lt

Brasserie de Verres en Veres Didžioji St. 35 / 2 Tel. +370 5 212 0111 (table reservation)www.vilnius.radissonsas.com

Eating out

LAKŠTAS **V. Graičiūno St. 30Tel. +370 5 264 0064E-mail [email protected]

VILNOJA **Zdziechovskio St. 27, Sudervė, Vilnius DistrictTel. +370 5 249 0346, GMS +370 686 00067www.stoneart.lt

CAMPSITES

VILNIUS CITY CAMPSITE **Laisvės Ave. 5 (near exhibition and conference centre LITEXPO)(GPS N 54° 40.668’ E 25° 13.552’) (N 54.677806° E 25.225861°)

Tel. +370 680 32 452, +370 629 72223 (the reception desk is open daily from 8:00 to 22:00)

The campsite is open from 1 June to 10 September. www.camping.lt/vilniuscity

KEMPINGAS SLĖNYJE ****Slėnio St. 1, Trakai (in Trakai District, about 33 km from Vilnius)(GPS N 54° 40.051’ E 24° 55.774’) (N 54.66752° E 24.929562°)

Tel. +370 5 285 3880www.camptrakai.lt

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Eating out

Entertainment and Leisure Centre BelmontasBelmonto St. 17(GPS N 54°41.032’ E 25°21.376’) (N 54.68386º E 25.356261º)

Mob.: +370 615 20220, +370 686 14656 (table reservation) www.belmontas.lt

Saint Germain Literatų St. 9Tel. +370 5 262 1210www.vynine.lt

La Pergola Ligoninės St. 7Tel. +370 5 266 0322www.grotthusshotel.com

ReneM. Antokolskio St. 13Tel. +370 5 212 6858

Zoe’s Bar & GrillOdminių St. 3 Tel. +370 5 212 3331 www.zoesbargrill.com

„Sensus“ Grill&WineTotorių St. 16Tel. +370 5 261 4693, GMS +370 620 52520www.bonussensus.lt

Vandens malūnas (Water Mill)Verkių St. 100(GPS N 54º 44.747’ E 25º 17.458’) (N 54.745776º E 25.290975º)

Tel. +370 5 271 1666www.vandensmalunas.lt

La BohemeŠv. Ignoto St. 4 / 3Tel. +370 212 1087, GMS +370 657 56270www.laboheme.lt

Artistai Šv. Kazimero St. 3Tel. +370 5 212 1268www.artistai.lt

Mano guruVilniaus St. 22 / 1Tel. +370 5 212 0126www.manoguru.lt

MedininkaiAušros Vartų St. 6Mob. +370 600 86491www.medininkai.lt

ToresUžupio St. 40GMS +370 655 32626 (table reservation from 12:00)www.tores.lt

Užupio kavinėUžupio St. 2Tel. +370 5 212 2138www.uzupiokavine.lt

Užupio klasikaUžupio St. 28Tel. +370 5 215 3677http://uzupioklasika.meniu.lt

Skonis ir kvapasTrakų St. 8Tel. +370 5 212 2803www.skonis-kvapas.lt

StikliaiGaono St. 7Tel. +370 5 264 9580www.stikliaihotel.lt

CozyDominikonų St. 10Tel. +370 5 261 1137www.cozy.lt

Horizontas M. K. Čiurlionio St. 84 (Hotel Crowne Plaza Vilnius)Tel. +370 5 274 3400www.cpvilnius.com

Prie KatedrosGedimino Ave. 5GMS +370 605 77555www.priekatedros.lt

Wall St.Lvovo St. 25 (Vilniaus Verslo uostas) Tel. +370 5 219 5916www.wallst.lt

JaltaVykinto St. 7 AGMS +370 650 12114

Green Hall Upės St. 21GMS +370 615 55511www.greenhall.lt

Chinese Cuisine

Auksinis feniksas Gedimino Ave. 64Tel. +370 5 249 6909

Didžioji Kinija Konstitucijos Ave. 12Tel. +370 5 263 6363www.kinuvirtuve.lt

Naujieji rytai Užupio St. 4Tel. +370 5 215 4499http://nrytai.lt

Trys klevai Pilies St. 16 / Šv. Mykolo St. 2Tel. +370 5 261 6296

Pekino antisAlgirdo St. 2, Algirdo St. 28Tel.: +370 5 233 9999, +370 5 215 1620www.kinuvirtuve.lt

French Cuisine

La ProvenceVokiečių St. 22Tel. +370 5 262 0257www.laprovence.lt

BalzacSavičiaus St. 7GMS +370 614 89223www.balzac.lt

Belgian Cuisine

BelgaiRūdninkų St. 15 / Pylimo St. 46Tel. +370 5 212 6603www.belgai.lt

Greek Cuisine

Liūtų vartaiKauno St. 28GMS +370 699 37 559 www.liutuvartai.lt

Spyros Metaxa Pilies St. 5Tel. +370 5 216 3971www.liutuvartai.lt

Indian Cuisine

Sue’s Indian Raja Odminių St. 3Tel. +370 5 266 1887http://www.sues-lt.com

Indian MaharajaTrakų St. 4GMS +370 662 11600www.indianmaharaja.lt

Spanish Cuisine

Barcelona Linkmenų St. 5 / Krokuvos St. 66Tel. +370 5 233 3337www.barcelona.lt

Italian Cuisine

Da AntonioVilniaus St. 23Tel. +370 5 262 0109www.antonio.lt

Da AntonioL. Stuokos Gucevičiaus St. 1Tel. +370 5 210 7466www.antonio.lt

Italian Wine BarUžupio St. 30GMS +370 640 44554www.italiskavynine.lt

SorrentoPylimo St. 21Tel. +370 5 264 4737www.sorrento.lt

Eating out

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Eating out Eating out

7776

St. ValentinoVilniaus St. 47 / Trakų St. 18Tel. +370 5 231 4198http://stvalentino.lt

VapianoKonstitucijos Ave. 7 A (Shopping Centre Europa)Tel. +370 5 238 3489www.vapiano.de

Japonese Cuisine

Miyako Konstitucijos Ave. 7 ATel. +370 5 248 7060, GMS +370 618 52112www.miyako.lt

Tokyo (Japanese and European cuisines)Konstitucijos Ave. 26 (at Forum Palace Centre)GMS +370 615 21565

Gan Bei CitySaltoniškių 9 (Shopping Centre Panorama, 2nd floor)Tel. +370 5 205 2555www.ganbeicity.lt

OsakaVilniaus St. 19Tel. +370 261 7176www.osaka.lt

Sushi HouseVilniaus St. 45GMS +370 682 28222www.sushihouse.lt

Sushi ExpressJasinskio St. 16 AGMS +370 699 69343www.sushiexpress.lt

Jewish Cuisine

KineretRaugyklos St. 4 AGMS +370 605 40422

Mexican Cuisine

Meksika Algirdo St. 2Tel. +370 5 265 0147www.restoranasmeksika.lt

Tres MexicanosTilto St. 2 GMS +370 674 18600www.tresmexicanos.lt

Asian Cuisine

BriuslyIslandijos St. 4Tel. +370 5 261 2753

Čingischanas J. Basanavičiaus St. 8 / 1GMS +370 619 12816www.restoranas.net

Polish Cuisine

Ponas Tadas Naugarduko St. 76Tel. +370 5 213 6814www.polskidom.lt

Pizza

Can CanGedimino Ave. 24GMS +370 659 90414www.cancan.lt

Can CanTrakų St. 2/ Pylimo g. 24GMS +370 659 04289www.cancan.lt

Can CanMindaugo St. 11GMS +370 659 32584www.cancan.lt

Can CanGedimino Ave. 37Mob. +370 659 32472www.cancan.lt

Čili picaGedimino Ave. 23GMS +370 687 72137www.cili.lt

Čili picaDidžioji St. 5GMS +370 687 85729www.cili.lt

Mambo pizzaGedimino Ave. 37GMS +370 656 19929www.mambo.lt

Pica JazzVokiečių St. 24Tel. +370 5 212 3646, GMS +370 698 23952www.pizzajazz.lt

Pomodoro Jogailos St. 4Tel. +370 5 269 0022www.pomodoro.lt

Užupio picerijaPaupio St. 3Tel. +370 5 215 3666

Russian Cuisine

Carskoje SeloŠeimyniškių St. 3Tel. +370 5 272 8618www.katpedele.lt

ČaginoJ. Basanavičiaus St. 11Tel. +370 5 261 5555www.cagin.lt

Vegetarian Cuisine

Balti drambliai Vilniaus St. 41Tel. +370 5 262 0875www.baltidrambliai.com

RawRawS. Skapo g. 10Tel. +370 5 231 3242 GMS +370 699 52022www.rawraw.lt

Hungarian Cuisine

CsardaŠv. Mykolo St. 4 – 1 GMS +370 659 55552www.csarda.lt

German Cuisine

Graf Zeppelin Savičiaus St. 9 GMS +370 674 62949, +370 673 10725www.grafzeppelin.lt

BravariaOzo St. 25 (Shopping and Entertainment Centre Akropolis)GMS +370 652 21121www.bravaria.lt

PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES According to the Law on Tobacco Control of the Republic of Lithuania, smoking in public places (restaurants, cafés, bars, other catering establishments, clubs, discos, hotels, Internet cafés, public transport, educational establishments), shall be prohibited, with the exception of special premises for smoking and cigar and pipe clubs specially fitted for this purpose (as of 1 January 2007). The law also prohibits (with several exceptions) advertising of tobacco products and selling tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age. In accordance with EU legal requirements, tobacco product packaging shall bear health warnings.

An exhaustive portal for eating out places in Vilnius—www.meniu.lt

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Shopping

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SHOPPING

The majority of specialist shops, brand name stores and local designer fashion shops and shopping centres are situated in the centre of the town: in Didžioji Street, Vokiečių Street, Gedimino and Konstitucijos Avenues. Almost all souvenir shops are located in the Old Town. Some of them sell Lithuanian linen and its products: tablecloths, clothes and even rag-dolls, others offer artistic ceramic, glass or jewellery articles made by craftsmen who fascinate one with their resourcefulness and fantasy. Lithuania is a

country of amber, so the range of souvenirs made of this “sun stone” is especially wide. Needlework, knitting and crochetwork, as well as amateur art items are found at the meeting point of Pilies and Didžioji Streets. Unique works of art by professional artists are available at art galleries. Akropolis, Panorama and Ozas are not only shopping but also entertainment centres with many catering establishments and different leisure facilities. Iki, Maxima, Rimi and Norfa are supermarkets selling food and consumer goods.

Shopping

Linen and Amber Shops

Lino namai Pilies St. 38, Universiteto St. 10, Vilniaus St. 12Tel.: +370 5 212 2322, + 370 5 212 1213, + 370 5 212 1921Open: Mon to Fri10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–16:00, Sun 11:00–17:00 (only Pilies St. 38)www.siulas.lt

LinasL. Stuokos Gucevičiaus St. 13 Tel. +370 5 261 8154Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–16:00www.linas.lt

Amber Sculpture Museum AmberAušros Vartų St. 9Tel. +370 5 212 1988Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–17:00www.ambergift.lt

Amber Gallery-MuseumŠv. Mykolo St. 8Tel. +370 5 262 3092Open: Mon to Sat 9:00–19:00www.ambergallery.lt

Gintaro galerija (Amber Gallery)Aušros Vartų St. 17Tel. +370 5 212 5791Open: Mon to Sat 10:00–19:00www.ambergallery.lt

The Small Amber MuseumDidžioji St. 6Tel. +370 5 262 4986Open: Mon to Sat 10:00–19:00 www.lgstudija.lt

Linen and Amber Studio Didžioji g. StTel. +370 5 262 4986Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–19:00www.lgstudija.lt

Gintraka Aušros Vartų St. 13GSM +370 687 81817Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–19:00www.ambershop.lt

Antiques

Dominikonų AntiquesDominikonų St. 3-2Tel. +370 5 261 1738Open: Mon to Fri 12:00–19:00, Sat 12:00–15:00

Senasis Kuparas(shop selling Lithuanian decorative glass)Dominikonų St. 14Tel. +370 5 262 1024Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–16:00www.kuparas.lt

Vilnius Antiques CentreDominikonų St. 16Tel. +370 5 262 7479Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–15:00www.antiques.lt

Amžinos VertybėsDysnos St. 7 / Ašmenos St. 3-14 (entrance from Dysnos Street)Tel. +370 5 231 2375Open: Tue to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–16:00www.values.lt

Latako Street AntiquesLatako St. 3Tel. +370 5 212 1404Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–14:00

Lithuanian Folk Artists’ Society(Old Town Antiques)Žydų St. 2 / Antokolskio St. 12Tel. +370 5 262 9936Open: Tue to Fri 12:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–15:00

AntiquariusBernardinų St. 10-10Tel. +370 5 260 8232Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–17:00

Edmondo AntiquariusDidžioji St. 27Tel. +370 5 210 7082, GSM +370 605 22222Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–18:00, Sat 11:00–16:00www.ek-art.lt

Shop–AntiquariusDidžioji St. 38Tel. +370 656 18891Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–16:00

SanctaAušros Vartų St. 15Tel. +370 5 261 9113Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–15:00

Totorių Street AntiquariusTotorių St. 24Tel. +370 5 261 4513Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 11:00–15:00

Name Address Open Internet website

Gedimino 9 Gedimino Ave. 9 Mon to Sat 7:00–22:00, Sun 8:00–22:00

www.gedimino9.lt

Flagman Gedimino Ave. 16 Mon to Sat 10:00 20:00, Sun 11:00–18:00

www.flagman.lt

VCUP Konstitucijos Ave. 16 Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00 www.vcup.lt

Europa Konstitucijos Ave. 7 A Mon to Sat 7:00–24:00 www.pceuropa.lt

Akropolis Ozo St. 25 Mon to Sun 8:00–23:00 www.akropolis.lt

Panorama Saltoniškių St. 9 Mon to Sun 8:00–23:00 www.panorama.lt

Ozas Ozo St. 18 Mon to Sun 8:00–23:00 www.ozas.lt

Shopping Centres

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Bookshops

Akademinė knyga Universiteto St. 4Tel. +370 5 266 1680Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–15:00 www.humanitas.lt

HumanitasDominikonų St. 5Tel. +370 5 262 1153Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–16:00www.humanitas.lt

KalbosTrakų St. 5 ATel.: +370 5 261 0416, +370 5 268 5862Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–15:00www.humanitas.lt

RotasPylimo St. 42Tel. +370 5 212 4760Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–15:00www.rotas.lt

French BookshopDidžioji St. 1Tel. +370 5 262 0517Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–15:00www.almalittera.lt

VagaGedimino Ave. 50Tel.: +370 5 249 8392, +370 5 249 8396Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–16:00www.vaga.lt

Pilies Bookshop Pilies St. 22Tel. +370 5 261 1467Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–17:00www.vaga.lt

DraugystėGedimino Ave. 2Tel. +370 5 268 5081Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–18:00www.vaga.lt

Shopping

8180

Brand Name Stores

Mados linija Didžioji St. 21Tel. +370 5 269 1230Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:30 Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–16:00www.apranga.lt

Marks&Spencer Gedimino Ave. 20Tel. +370 5 266 0083Open: Mon to Sat 10:00–21:00,Sun 11:00–18:00www.marks-and-spencer.lt

Du Broliai Didžioji St. 14 (Women’s boutique)Didžioji St. 25 (Men’s boutique)Didžioji St. 28 (Emporio Armani)Didžioji St. 33 / 2 (Escada)Tel.: +370 5 279 1739, +370 5 262 9620, +370 5 261 0136, +370 5 262 6190Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–20:00, Sat 11:00–20:00, Sun 11:00–17:00www.dubroliai.lt

Gedimino 22Gedimino Ave. 22Tel. +370 5 262 4221Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–17:00www.levuo.lt

Hugo BossDidžioji St. 33 / 2Tel. +370 5 262 8035Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:30, Sat 11:00–16:00 www.apranga.lt

Juozas Statkevičius CoutureOdminių St. 11Tel. +370 5 212 2029Open: Tue to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–16:00www.statkevicius.com

La PerlaDidžioji St. 20 / 1Tel. +370 5 261 5135Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:30, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–16:00www.apranga.lt

Marc O’PoloKonstitucijos Ave. 7A (Shopping Centre Europa)Tel. +370 5 248 7173Open: Mon to Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–20:00www.marc-o-polo.com

Max MaraDidžioji St. 23Tel. +370 5 210 7058Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:30, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–16:00www.apranga.lt

Nijolė Gedimino Ave. 3 ATel. +370 5 263 9090Open: Mon to Sat 11:00–19:00, Sun 11:00–16:00www.nijole.it

Shopping

A more comprehensive list of books is available on websites www.knygynai.lt, www.vaga.lt, www.almalittera.lt or www.humanitas.lt.

Ramunė PiekautaitėDidžioji St. 20Tel. +370 5 231 2270Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:30, Sat 11:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–16:00www.ramunepiekautaite.com

Artwork Shops

Aukso centras (Gold Centre)Trakų St. 6, tel. +370 5 262 6060Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00Vilniaus St. 25, tel. + 370 5 262 2158Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–17:00Aušros Vartų St. 19, tel. + 370 5 212 1522Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–15:00Gedimino Ave. 2 / 1, tel. +370 5 262 0671Open: Mon to Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun 11:00–17:00www.auksocentras.lt

DoradoJogailos St. 4Tel. +370 5 269 0007Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–17:00

Elementai Stiklių St. 14 / 1Tel. +370 5 260 8588Open: Mon to Sat 11:00–19:00

YURGATrakų St. 16Tel. +370 5 212 2856Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–17:00www.yurga.lt

Jūratės Akmenėliai / Ceramics StudioPylimo St. 22 DTel. +370 5 262 0279Open: (stones) Tue to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–17:00Open: (ceramics) Tue to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–17:00www.juratesakmeneliai.lt

Veltinio Namai (Felt Home)Stiklių St. 7Tel. +370 655 50566Open: Mon to Sun10:00–20:00www.veltinio-namai.lt

Stiklė Gedimino Ave. 9Tel. +370 5 212 6792 Open: Mon to Sat 10:00–20:00, Sun 10:00–18:00www.stikle.lt

Vilniaus juvelyrika (Vilnius Jewelry)Pylimo St. 54Open: Mon to Fri 9:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–15:00Pylimo St. 60Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–17:00, Sat/Sun 8:00–15:00Konstitucijos Ave. 12 Open: Mon to Fri 9:30–18:30, Sat 10:00–15:00www.vilniausjuvelyrika.lt

Markets

Gariūnai MarketGariūnų St. 68Open: Tue 4:00 am–14:00, Wed 6:00 am–14:00, Thu 4:00 am–14:00, Fri 6:00 am–14:00, Sat 5:00 am–14:00, Sun 6:00 am–14:00www.gariunai.lt

Flower MarketJ. Basanavičiaus St. 42Open: Mon to Sun 7:00–19:00

Halės MarketPylimo St. 58 / 1Open: Tue to Sat 7:00–17:00, Sun 7:00–15:00

Kalvarijų MarketKalvarijų St. 61 / H. Manto St. 1Open: Tue to Sun 7:00–16:00www.kalvariju-turgus.lt

Sostinės (Capital) Market Kalvarijų St. 88Open: Mon to Sun 8:00–20:00www.sostines-turgus.lt

Ūkininkų (Farmers) MarketsŠaltkalvių St. 2, Viršuliškių St. 30Open: Mon to Fri 8:00–19:00, Sat 8:00–17:00, Sun 8:00–15:00

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Leisure Leisure

8382

LEISURE

You will never be tired of Vilnius. The best way of tuning into the rhythm of the city is to sit in one of the numerous cafés, bars or pubs. Music and nightclub programmes will soon make you a part of the razzle-dazzle. If you don’t want to miss a world movie premier – follow the cinema repertoire. For Lithuanian movies, go to Skalvija, Pasaka. The capital boasts beautiful natural areas, which you can enjoy while cycling, canoeing, or walking in the parks. You can also look at Vilnius from the gondola of a hot-air balloon or a paraglider. A trip by cross-country vehicles through gravel quarries or a night hike through a swamp can be extremely exciting. Adult and small travellers alike will enjoy light-hearted and refreshing entertainment in the aqua park.If you wish to – and can spare the time – visit the beauty or relaxation centres; you will feel reborn and your friends back home will be surprised to see your rejuvenated appearance and shiny eyes.Junior travellers will be happy to visit children leisure centres and playgrounds or to eat at children cafés. And in case of a special occasion, ask for a special performance by professional actors.

SPECIAL LEISURE OFFER

Thematic Tours

If you want to hear about love stories enshrined in the walls of the Old Town, learn about the mysteries contained in the city vaults, or see Vilnius at night, join one of the thematic excursions: Vilnius Panoramas, The Most Famous Women of Vilnius and Their Love Stories, Vilnius at Night, Medieval Town, Vilnius Legends, Vilnius Churches and Shrines, Vilnius Catacombs, Republic of Užupis, Secrets of Vilnius Courtyards, Artistic and Romantic Vilnius, Musical Vilnius, Soviet Vilnius, Vilnius – a City Famous for Miracles, Royal Vilnius, Stories of Old Žvėrynas, Reflections of Medical History in Vilnius, Vilnius Monasteries.

To book thematic tours in advance call +370 5 253 21 or email [email protected] more information visit website: www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Visitors of the city can get acquainted with Vilnius by following one of the two audio guide routes and listeningto a recording in Lithuanian, English, German, Russian or Polish. Audio guides can be rented from two Vilnius Tourist Information Centres (Vilniaus St. 22 and Didžioji St. 31). A special map with the indicated route is distributed together with the audio guide.Cost of rent is 35 LTL. The deposit (100 LTL) is given back upon returning the audio guide. The audio guide is rented and returned on the same day. The holder of Vilnius City Card receives the audio guide free of charge. For more information call +370 5 262 9660, +370 5 262 6470, check on www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Audio Guide

By car:A picturesque route following which you can visit the most famous objects of cultural, historical and architectural heritage in the centre of Vilnius and its environs, admire impressive panoramas (within a radius of 80 km), www.vilniusautomobiliu.ltBy tourist bus:1.40-hour long sightseeing tours in Lithuanian, English, Russian, Italian, French and Polish languages. For information call GSM +370 655 66830 (every day from 9:00 to 18:00), www.valandele.lt By microbus: Tourists are offered to go on tours by a microbus around Vilnius, Trakai and other Lithuanian towns. To book a tour call +370 5 261 5558 or +370 699 54064, www.vilniuscitytour.com By electromobile: By arrangement, a five-seat electromobile can pick up passengers in the agreed place and at the end of the tour take the passengers back. Services are provided during the tourist season. For more information call +370 636 00099, www.kurortupramogos.lt

Tours by Transport

Regular Tours for Foreign Guests

Join the cognitive tour organized by Vilnius Tourist Information Centre around the most beautiful places of the Old Town of Vilnius. Tours are organized from 15 May to 15 September (2011):

In English on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays andSundays at 14:00; In German on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 14:00; In Russian on Tuesdays and Fridays at 14:00; In Polish on Tuesdays and Fridays at 16:00. Tours start from the Bell Tower in the Cathedral Square (stairs of the Belfry).Duration of the tour is 2 hours.Charges: 35 LTLHolders of Vilnius City Card take part in tours freeof charge!

Festive Time Offer

Tours during a holiday season are conducted from the end of December to the middle of January in the English and Russian languages.

Tickets are available at Vilnius Tourist Information Centres and prior to a tour at the Bell Tower in the Cathedral Square.For more information on tours (2011, 2012) call tel. +370 5 253 2115 or email [email protected], visit website www.vilnius-tourism.lt

10 Thematic Routes in Vilnius (on foot)

In implementing the project “New Tourism Opportunities in Vilnius”, Vilnius Tourist Information Centre has developed ten thematic informative cultural routes. The routes are oriented towards both city residents and guests – for those who wish to explore Vilnius independently on foot. You must pick one of ten themes and take a publication and a map from one of the Vilnius Tourist Information Centres before setting out. The routes are as follows: Along the Road to Lithuanian Statehood, Vilnius Castles and Hills, History of Vilnius Palaces, Polish Heritage in Vilnius, Russian Heritage in Vilnius, Jewish Heritage in Vilnius, German Heritage in Vilnius, Walk along the Pūčkoriai Path, Musical Vilnius, and Artistic and Romantic Vilnius.

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Lithuanian Get-together Evening

Those who want to experience the spirit of Lithuanian merriment and taste national dishes should take part in a Lithuanian get-together evening. During the evening a countryside orchestra will play Lithuanian folk songs and demonstrate ancient musical instruments.

Guests are invited not only to join in singing but also in dancing. Cooks will reveal secrets of making the Lithuanian dish – didžkukuliai and will encourage the guests to try their hand at making the dish themselves and then enjoy it.

You can book a folk get-together evening in advance by calling +370 5 253 2115 or emailing [email protected] More information is provided on the Internet website www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Leisure Leisure

8584

1984. Survival Drama is a Unique Opportunity to Return to the Past

At 25 kilometres from Vilnius, 5 meters below the ground and you find yourself in the USSR. Here you will visit the only Underground Museum of Socialism in the world or become citizens of the USSR yourselves in the play 1984. Survival Drama in a Soviet Bunker. The people who arrive to take part in the survival drama are met by the guard with dogs. Having parted with their belongings, currency, cameras and mobile telephones, dressed in grey Soviet wadded jackets they will immerse themselves in the life of a citizen of the USSR that is full of stress and social oddities for two hours. At the depth of five metres, under ferro-concrete blocks, you will be led through the labyrinths and will see television broadcasts and shops of the year 1984, will be questioned in the KGB room, will be learning the anthem of the USSR, will be trying to get used to wearing a gas-mask, dance to the music of that time and eat a Soviet dinner. You will leave the bunker after receiving a special certificate. Only group excursions are organised. Tickets are sold for the announced excursions or after booking an individual excursion.

Venue of the event: Soviet bunker, Naujasodė Village, Bezdoniai Ward, Vilnius District(GPS N 54º 49.875’ E 25º 32.124’) (N 54.831252, E 25.535404)

Dates of excursions and instructions on how to get there are provided on the website www.sovietbunker.com

Cinemas

Forum Cinemas VingisSavanorių Ave. 7Tel. 1567 (information, ticket booking, 1.9 LTL/min.)Having booked tickets, you have to collect them one hour before the film.www.forumcinemas.lt

Forum Cinemas AkropolisOzo St. 25Tel. 1567 (information, ticket booking, 1.9 LTL/min.)Having booked tickets, you have to collect them one hour before the film.www.forumcinemas.lt

PasakaŠv. Ignoto St. 4 / 3Tel. +370 5 261 1516www.kinopasaka.lt

SkalvijaA. Goštauto St. 2 / 15Tel. +370 5 261 0505www.skalvija.lt

Multikino Ozo St. 18 (Shopping Centre Ozas, 3rd floor)Tel. +370 5 210 0150www.ozas.lt

Cinema Hall of the Shopping and Leisure Centre PanoramaSaltoniškių St. 9Tel. +370 5 219 5811www.panorama.lt

Information about films in Vilnius and Lithuanian cinema theatres is available at www.cinema.lt

Night Clubs and Bars (in the city centre, Old Town)

SkyBar Konstitucijos Ave. 20 (hotel Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, 22nd floor)Tel. +370 5 272 6200Open: Sun to Thu 17:00–01:00 am, Fri/Sat 17:00–2:30 amwww.sky-bar.lt

Music Club Tamsta (live music concerts)Subačiaus St. 11 ATel. +370 5 212 4498, GSM +370 650 56496Open: Wed to Thu 19:00–01:00 am, Fri/Sat 19:00–03:00 amTime of concerts: Wed to Thu 21:00 / 21:30, Fri to Sat 21:30 / 22:00Table reservations are kept until 20:30. www.tamstaclub.lt

Latin American Cocktail Bar-club Pabo LatinoTrakų St. 3Tel. +370 5 262 1045Open: Thu 21:00–03:00 am, Fri/Sat 21:00–05:00 amwww.pabolatino.lt

Night Music Club Prospekto PUBGedimino Ave. 2 / 1Tel.: +370 212 0832, +370 5 212 0385Open: Mon to Sat 11:00–05:00 amwww.prospektopub.com

Bar Paparazzi Totorių St. 3Tel. +370 5 212 0135Open: Mon to Thu 16:00–03:00 am, Fri/Sat 16:00–06:00, Sat 16:00–03:00 am(Board game evenings every Wednesday: Carcassonne, Naujakuriai, Alias, Monopoly, Scotland Yard, Jenga, Quarto, Pylos.)www.paparazzi.lt

Bar Mojito NaktysDidžioji St. 33 / Rūdninkų St. 2 (entrance from Arklių Street)GSM +370 610 04131Open: Tue to Sat 20:00–05:00 amwww.mojitonaktys.lt

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Music Club Brodvėjus (live music concerts)Vokiečių St. 4 / Mėsinių St. 4GSM +370 652 57790Open: Tue 19:00–03:00 am, Wed 19:00–04:00 am, Thu to Sat 19:00–05:00 am, Sun 19:00–03:00 amwww.brodvejus.lt

Bar Bix Etmonų St. 6Tel. +370 5 262 7791Open: Mon to Wed 11:00–02:00 am, Thu 11:00–03:00 am, Fri/Sat 11:00–05:00 am, Sun 11:00–24:00 www.bix.lt

Night Bar-club Tarantino Trakų St. 2GSM +370 609 61616 (from 12:00)Open: Thu 22:00–04:00 am, Fri/Sat 22:00–05:00 amwww.tarantinoclub.lt

Music Club Artistai PubŠv. Kazimiero St. 3Tel. +370 5 212 1268Open: Mon to Wed 11:00–02:00 am, Thu 11:00–04:00 am, Fri 11:00–05:00 am, Sat 12:00–05:00 am, Sun 12:00 – 24:00www.artistai.lt

Club Nesė RelaxPamėnkalnio St. 7 (at the Entertainment Bank)GSM +370 700 55555 Open: Thu 21:00–03:00 am, Fri/Sat 22:00–06:00 amwww.nesepb.lt

Restaurant-Bar Alaus Namai (Beer Home)A. Goštauto St. 8 Tel. +370 5 260 9637Open: Mon to Wed 12:00–24:00, Thu 12:00–03:00 am, Fri 12:00–05:00 am, Sat 15:00–05:00 am, Sun 15:00–23:00(You can taste real Lithuanian beer brewed in small breweries according to ancient traditional live beer brewing technologies). www.alausnamai.lt

Music Club Aula Blues Club (live music concerts)Pilies St. 11Tel. +370 5 268 7173Open: during the winter season Mon to Sun 11:00–24:00, during the summer season Mon to Sun 9:30–02:00 amwww.bluesclub.lt

Cafe, Restaurant and Music bar CozyDominikonų St. 10Tel. +370 5 261 1137Open: Mon to Wed 9:00–02:00 am, Thu/Fri 9:00–04:00 am, Sat 10:00–04:00 am, Sun 10:00–02:00 amMusic bar: Thu/Fri 21:00–04:00 am, Sat 21:00–04:00 amwww.cozy.lt

New York ClubKalvarijų St. 85GSM +370 699 15587Open: Thu to Sat 19:00–03:00 amwww.newyorkclub.lt

Restaurant and Music Club Havana Social ClubŠermukšnių St. 4 ATel. +370 5 261 0812Open: Mon 11:00–15:00, Tue 11:00–24:00, Wed 11:00–01:00 am, Thu 11:00–15:00, 21:00–02:00 am, Fri 11:00–15:00, 20:00–05:00 am, Sat 18:00–05:00 am www.havanasocialclub.lt

Music and Beer Club Bermudai (live music concerts)Upės St. 6GSM +370 655 70262 Open: Mon to Wed 17:00–24:00, Thu 17:00–03:00 am, Fri/Sat 17:00–05:00 amwww.bermudaiclub.lt

Rock Music Bar PoGo barasVilniaus St. 12GSM +370 662 59613Open: Mon to Thu 18:00–01:00 am, Fri/Sat 18:00–04:00 am, Sun 18:00–01:00 amwww.pogobaras.lt

Music Bar ChaplinTotorių St. 11Open: Mon to Thu 10:00–02:00 am, Fri/Sat 10:00–04:00 am, Sun 10:00–02:00 am www.chaplin.lt

Bar GorkyPilies St. 34GSM +370 652 18035Open: Mon 9:00–24:00, Tue/Thu 9:00–02:00 am, Fri/Sat 9:00–04:00 am, Sun 9:00–24:00

Mini Beer Brewery–Restaurant Būsi TrečiasTotorių St. 18Tel. +370 5 231 2698Open: Mon to Thu 11:00–23:00, Fri 11:00–03:00 am, Sat 11:00–02:00 am, Sun 11:00–23:00 (Board game evenings on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays from 18:00). www.busitrecias.lt

Leisure Leisure

Bar (M)isterijaTotorių St. 18Tel. +370 5 212 5051 Open: Mon to Thu 11:00–04:00 am, Fri 11:00–06:00 am, Sat 18:00–06:00 am, Sun 18:00–04:00 amwww.misterija.lt

Jazz Music Club Jazz KablysKauno St. 3 AGSM +370 617 08226Open: Wed to Fri 19:00–23:00www.jazzkablys.lt

Cafe de ParisDidžioji St. 1Tel. +370 5 261 1021Open: Mon/Tue 11:00–24:00, Wed/Thu 11:00–02:00 am, Fri – Sat 11:00–04:00 am, Sun 11:00–24:00www.cafedeparis.lt

Bar BanzaiŠv. Ignoto St. 14GSM +370 652 32111Open: Mon to Wed 12:00–24:00, Thu–Fri 12:00–02:00 am, Sat 15:00–02:00 am, Sun 15:00–24:00www.banzaibaras.lt

Liv Lounge BarTumėno St. 4 (at the building Vilniaus vartai)Tel. +370 5 242 1055Open: Mon to Thu 10:00–23:00, Fri 10:00–3:00 am, Sat 12:00–1:00 am, Sun 12:00–23:00 www.livlounge.lt

Drivers must know that the permitted blood alcohol content in Lithuania is 0.4 per mille. We do not recommend driving immediately after drinking several glasses of beer or wine. Thefts are common in night clubs, bars, cafés or restaurants in Vilnius. Thus, be sure to keep your valuables on your person and do not leave them in the pockets of clothes that you hang in cloakrooms or other areas. You should also avoid dubious acquaintances and invitations, and do not display the contents of your wallet or any other luxury items.

Sport Clubs, Swimming-pools

Vichy Aqua Park

Ozo St. 14 C (next to Shopping and Entertainment Centre Ozas, Siemens Arena)(GPS N 54°42.980’ E 25°16.653’) (N 54.71634º E 25.277556º)

Tel. +370 5 211 1112, 1653 (2 LTL/min.)Open: Mon to Fri 12:00–22:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–22:00 (all year round)Tickets to the Aqua Park are sold until 20:00www.vandensparkas.lt

Vichy Aqua Park is a unique entertainment complex that combines the mood of the Polynesia Islands and the most modern aqua entertainments. Eight most memorable water slides in the Baltic States are at your service, including Maorių klyksmas (Maori Yell) that lets you experience the state of weightlessness, huge waves in the Dolphin Sea, sauna complexes with a refreshing ice-room and rest zones, exotic drinks in the bars and the restaurant Aloha, a souvenir market, lots of other services and an inimitable holiday mood.

Getting There By car: From the city centre, take the direction of Žaliasis Tiltas (the Green Bridge). After you pass the bridge go straight along Kalvarijų Street until the crossing of Ozo and Kareivių Streets, then turn left. Having driven about 300 metres along Ozo Street, you will pass the first street to Siemens Arena, and a little bit further there will be a Lukoil filling station, before which you must turn right. Soon after you will see the large building of Vichy Aqua Park.By bus: Take bus No. 53 (direction: Station–Fabijoniškės) from the city centre and get off at the Širvintų bus stop. Then go to the right and you will see Vichy Aqua Park behind a Lukoil filling station. Also, you can take busses No. 7, 45, 53 A (Širvintų bus stop), bus No. 87 (Ozo žiedas bus stop). More bus and trolleybus routes and their timetables can be found on the Internet website of the Aqua Park and website www.vilniustransport.lt.

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Forum Sports ClubKonstitucijos Ave. 26Tel.: +370 5 210 3149, +370 5 210 3154Open: Mon to Fri 6:30–22:30, Sat/Sun 8:00–22:00www.forumfitness.lt

Impuls Sports Club Tel. 1588 (2 LTL/min.)Kareivių St. 14 (Sports and Entertainment Park)Open: Mon to Fri 6:30–21:30, Sat/Sun 9:30–21:00Ozo St. 41(Sports and Entertainment Park)Open: Mon to Fri 7:00–22:00, Sat/Sun 9:00–21:00Savanorių Ave. 28Open: Mon to Fri 6:30–21:30, Sat/Sun 9:30–21:00L. Asanavičiūtės St. 15Open: Mon to Fri 6:30–21:30, Sat/Sun 9:30–21:00www.impuls.lt

FitlifeMindaugo St. 14 BTel. +370 5 265 9191Open: Mon to Thu 6:30–22:00, Fri 6:30–21:00, Sat/Sun 9:00–18:00www.fitlife.lt

Body Gym Olimpiečių St. 3Tel. +370 5 272 7744Open: Mon to Thu 7:00–22:00, Fri 7:00–21:00, Sat 9:00–19:00, Sun 10:00–18:00www.bodygym.lt

Savickas Sports ClubĄžuolyno St. 7 (SEB Arena)Tel. +370 236 2223Open: Mon to Fri 7:00–22:00, Sat/Sun 9:00–21:00www.savickosportoklubas.lt

Lithuanian Children and Youth CentreThe Centre offers sports, dance, art, music, foreign languages, creativity classes, as well as classes in developing other important abilities. There is a swimming-pool and a sports hall there. Konstitucijos Ave. 25(GPS N 54°41.957’ E 25°16.045’) (N 54.699282° E 25.267412°)

Tel. +370 5 273 3333www.lvjc.lt

SPA Centres (in the Old Town and near the City Centre)

Amber Relax Luxus, Amber and Mineral Therapy Centre Latvių St. 7Tel. + 370 5 272 4090, GSM +370 611 57000www.ambergift.lt

Amber Massage SPAAušros Vartų St. 15Tel. +370 5 261 4923, GSM +370 687 20060 www.ambermassage.com

Shanti Ayurveda SPA centre Subačiaus St. 17Tel. +370 5 262 0205, GSM +370 606 75557www.ajurveda.lt

Idzumi Wellness and Beauty CentreSporto St. 12Tel. +370 5 247 2470, GSM +370 652 88854www.idzumi.lt

Oriental Massage, SPA Centre Azia Spa Šv. Mikalojaus St. 5Tel. +370 5 244 4646, GSM +370 644 03000www.aziaspa.lt

Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology Centre Vokiečių St. 28 / Trakų g. 17Tel. +370 5 262 9187www.sugihara.lt

Dienos SPA CentrasVokiečių St. 28 / 17-3Tel.: +370 5 231 4537, +370 5 231 2665GSM +370 616 90647 www.sugihara.lt

Beauty Therapy and Surgery ClinicČ. Sugiharos St. 3Tel.: +370 5 270 5710, +370 5 270 5777www.sugihara.lt

MezzanineTeatro St. 3-11Tel. +370 5 231 3734http://mezzanine.lt

Traditional Thai Massage Centre Sala ThaiGaonog. 1 / Domininkonų St. 15Tel. +370 5 261 5613, GSM +370 694 19684www.salathai.lt

SPA centre East IslandKonstitucijos Ave. 26 (in Forum Palace building)Tel. +370 5 272 2227, GSM +370 682 33222www.east-island.lt

SPA Centre SothysPylimo St. 45 / Gėlių St. 1Tel.: +370 5 262 2777, +370 5 262 2888www.sothys.lt

Bicycle, Velomobile, Segway Rental (during the tourist season)

Velo-City (bicycle rental)Bernardinų St. 10-6Tel. +370 5 216 2671GSM +370 674 12123, +370 699 56009Open: during the season Mon to Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–21:00 (shorter in bad weather), off-season Mon to Fri 10:00–18:00www.velo-city.lt

Dviratis plius (bicycle rental)Žirmūnų St. 70Tel. +370 5 277 7720Open: during the season Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–15:00www.dviratisplius.lt

Instinktas (bicycle rental)Konstitucijos Ave. 12Tel. +370 5 273 6480 Open: Mon to Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–17:00www.instinktas.lt

Kelrodis (bicycle rental)(advance booking only)T. Ševčenkos St. 15 / Švitrigailos St. 14GSM +370 699 44251www.atrakcija.lt

Veloklinika (bicycle rental and repair)A. Domaševičiaus St. 7GSM +370 606 87754Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–16:00www.veloklinika.lt

Bicycle and Velomobile Rental (Kurortų pramogos)(at Cathedral Square, in the park near Gediminas Ave.)GSM +370 636 00099 Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00www.kurortupramogos.lt

Super Segway Vilniaus St. 45GSM +370 612 34444Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–19:00The following guided tours by Segway are conducted: Vilnius Old Town (1.5 h) and Vilnius Old Town and Merry Bends of the Neris (3 h).www.supersegway.com

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Hot-Air Balloon Flights

One of the most impressive amusements is hot-air balloon flights. When weather conditions are favourable hot-air balloons can take off and land in the very centre of the city.

Oreivystės centras (Aeronautics Centre)Upės St. 5Tel. +370 5 273 2703, GSM +370 652 00510www.ballooning.lt

Oro Balionai (Hot-Air Balloons)GSM +370 611 20911, +370 650 26468 www.orobalionai.lt

Laisvalaikio pramogos (Leisure Entertainments)Savanorių Ave. 180-54GSM +370 698 22810www.aeronautica.lt

Hot Air Balloon Flights GSM +370 618 30069 www.skrydziaiorobalionais.lt

Smile Balloons GSM +370 610 48039, +370 614 60658www.skrydisorobalionu.com

Night Hot Air Balloon Flights(a flight starts 1.5 h before the sunrise or sunset)GSM +370 652 16600www.vaiduokliai.lt

Golf

Sostinių (Capitals) Golf Club

Pipiriškiai Village, Pastrėvis Ward, Elektrėnai Municipality(GPS N 54°43.212’ E 24°45.513’) (N 54.720207º E 24.75855º)

GSM +370 619 99999Open: Mon to Sun 8:00–20:00 (April–October), Mon to Fri 10:00–17:00 (November–March)www.capitals.lt

The Golf Club, which is situated between four historical capitals of Lithuania, is a winner of the 2007 Development of the Year competition at the international conference “2008 Golf Inc”. The course is situated in a hilly territory with four natural and several artificial lakes. A part of the area belongs to Pipiriškės Geomorphological Reserve, an area protected by the state seeking to preserve the landscape of Eastern Lithuania.

Europos centro (European Centre) Golf Club

Girijos Village, Vilnius District (Geographical Centre of Europe, Molėtai Highway, 26th km)(GPS N 54°54.619’ E 25°18.733’) (N 54.910311º E 25.312217º)

GSM +370 612 13788Open: Mon to Fri 11:00–18:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–18:00 (during the season)www.golfclub.lt

The European Centre Golf Club provides both an amateur and a professional player with an excellent opportunity to enjoy a very interesting game because the area abounds in water bodies: Lake Girija, natural ponds, canals and other natural obstacles, which will keep you alert to the very end of the game. The unique landscape will provide you with the opportunity to use all golf clubs in your bag!

V Golf Club

Highway A2, 19 km (at the hotel Le Méridien Vilnius) (GPS N 54°49.674’ E 25°07.853’) (N 54.827892º E 25.13088º)

Open: Mon to Sun 8:00–21:00 (during the season)Tel. +370 5 273 9700www.lemeridienvilnius.com

A professional 18-hole golf course equipped according to the standards of the American Golf Association with the lawns that meet these standards, ball flying ground covered with sand – this is the only PGA (Professional Golfers Association) golf course in the Baltic States. The golf course also has a 20-place driving range, a short game area and putting green.

Adventure Parks

Belmontas Adventure ParkBelmonto Street (in Pavilniai Regional Park, next to Entertainment and Leisure Centre Belmontas) (GPS N 54°41.034’ E 25°21.402’) (N 54.683896º E 25.356699º)

GSM +370 610 00009Open: Mon to Sun 11:00–18:00www.belmontonuotykiuparkas.lt

Belmontas Adventure Park offers its visitors a combination of extreme amusements and hospitality of Belmontas Centre. The Park is situated on the left slope of the Vilnelė River; it is almost 40 meters above the picturesque Belmontas Valley. While enjoying adventures in the Park visitors can admire a picturesque panorama of the Belmontas Centre and the surrounding landscape.

LABAS Adventure Park

Lizdeikos St., Spalvotųjų šaltinių Park, Antakalnis(GPS N 54°43.511’ E 25°18.958’) (N 54.725179º E 25.315966º)

Tel. +370 602 32366Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:30 (March to October) (last admission for adults at 20:00, for children at 21:00); Mon to Sun 10:00–19:30 (November–February) (last admission for adults 17:00–18:00)Those who wish to do climbing at night have to arrange it in advance.www.labasnuotykiuparkas.lt

Climbing trees is a kind of amusement that is rapidly gaining in popularity with children and adults. The Adventure Park that is second in size in Lithuania is situated near the centre of the capital of Vilnius on the bank of the Neris River. LABAS Adventure Park offers its visitors more than 1.5 km trails in the trees, which consist of more than 100 climbing events. Five trails in the trees are for the climbers of all ages – from the smallest ones to professionals. The greatest attraction to those who like extreme sensations is the “Elephant Flight” jump swing. Highly qualified instructors provide visitors to the Park with professional mountain climbing equipment and helpful advice.

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By car from Vilnius: go along the highway Vilnius–Klaipėda (A1) and at Rykantai turn to Trakai. After crossing the road Trakai–Vievis (107) turn to Vievis. Then follow the same signs as driving from Trakai.By car from Trakai: having passed the town of Bražuolė and the sign that shows its end, exactly one kilometre, you will come to a cemetery on a hill. It is 8 km from Trakai. At the sign of restaurant/hotel turn right into an asphalted road opposite the cemetery. Drive on for 2 km following the signs Nuotykių parkas Anupriškės.By bus: from Trakai Bus Station in the direction of Vievis (platform 1) busses run to Gilušis sodai: Mon, Wed, Sat 9:00, Sat 18:37. It takes 5 min to walk to the Park from the Gilušis sodai bus stop.

Getting there

Rock Climbing

Montis magia(rock climbing, extreme trips)Vytenio St. 46 BGSM +370 699 12400, +370 655 78380Open: Tue, Thu, Fri 16:00–21:00, Sat/Sun 14:00–19:00www.montismagia.lt

Trips in All-terrain and Four-wheeled Vehicles

Club Kross(four-wheeled vehicle hire)Skersinės St. 70GSM +370 699 92592www.kross.lt

Lithuanian Safari(extreme and cognitive tours) Didžioji St. 12GSM +370 686 55535www.safari.lt

Canoeing along the Vilnelė and Neris Rivers

All guests who arrive in Vilnius during the tourist season are recommended to take a one-day canoeing tour along the Vilnelė and Neris Rivers. The Vilnelė is famous not only for its picturesque high slopes but also for its rapid stream and endless bends (especially in spring). While canoeing you have a chance to admire beautiful Pavilniai Regional Park, Pūčkoriai exposure, Užupis Republic, Sereikiškės Park, the centre of Vilnius. Picturesque routes can take you along the rivers both in the daytime and at night (about 4 hrs.).

Active TourismGSM +370 618 82995www.activetourism.lt

Canoe RentalGSM +370 655 43985www.baidares.lt

Canoeing along the Vilnelė at NightGSM +370 652 16600www.vaiduokliai.lt

Going by Ship in the Neris River

The Riga boat can be found in the pier on the Neris River by the King Mindaugas Bridge. The trip takes from 45 minutes to one hour (depending on the speed of the stream and weather conditions). During the season the boat sails on weekdays from 10 am to 10 pm every hour. The trip is cancelled if a group consisting of less than 10 people is formed. In this case a trip in a pontoon can be taken.

For more information call GSM + 370 685 01000, check on website www.barta.lt

Recreational Fishing

Žvejų namai (Fishmen Home)Vilūniškiai Village, Elektrėnai Municipality, Trakai District(GPS N 54°44.545’ E 24°51.578’) (N 54.742414º E 24.859635º)

Tel. +370 5 282 6008Open: Mon to Sun 11:00–22:00www.zvejunamai.lt

The ponds give the angler a chance to fish for trout and professional cooks will prepare the fish that you catch in your presence. A modern and safe playing ground the Children Town is made for children.

Entertainment and Leisure Park TonyResort (previously called Anupriškės) (hotel, restaurant, conference centres, adventure park, horse riding, a walking tour to the swamps, saunas, sports complexes, water entertainment, wellness holiday)

Anupriškės Vilage, Trakai District(GPS N 54º 42.333’ E 24º 54.233’) (N 54.705556º E 24.903889º)

GSM +370 611 44445www.anupriskes.lt

By car: When driving from Vilnius to Kaunas at 36th kilometre on A1 highway you will see a sign representing a fish. It indicates that Žvejų namai is at hand. Turn right at the sign into the road leading to Trakai. Drive on 3 km and you will see Žvejų namai on the left.

Getting there

Skating, Skiing

Akropolis Ice ArenaOzo St. 25Tel. +370 5 249 2878Open: Mon Sun 8:00–24:00www.akropolis.lt

Ledo rūmai (Ice Palace)Ąžuolyno St. 9Tel. +370 5 242 4444Open: Mon to Sun 8:00–24:00www.ledorumai.lt

Skating-rink on the Roof of Ozas (on the winter season)Ozo St. 18 (2nd floor, parking lot)Tel. +370 5 210 0150Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00 (from 1 December to 30 January)www.ozas.lt

Liepkalnis Ski Run Minsko Road 2(GPS N 54°39.324’ E 25°18.412’) (N 54.655408º E 25.306865º)Tel. +370 5 210 6242Open: Tue to Thu 16:00–20:00, Fri 15:00–20:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–20:00www.sniegozona.lt

Page 49: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Leisure Leisure

9594

ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN

Cafes

Restaurants and cafes often offer menus and entertainment for children. Please ask your waiter for it.

McDonald‘s (play area, special offers for children)Gedimino Ave. 15Tel. +370 5 262 2931Open: Mon to Sun 7–24

Champions Children ClubKonstitucijos Ave. 26 (in Forum Palace building)Tel. +370 5 210 3149Open: Mon to Fri 12:00–21:00, Fri to Sun 10:00–20:00

Laukiniai vakaraiAntakalnio St. 66Tel.: +370 5 234 3980, +370 5 234 4220Open: Tue to Wed 12:00–22:00, Thu to Sat 12:00–23:00www.laukiniaivakarai.aiva.lt

Nykštukų pasaulisLaisvės Ave. 88Tel. +370 5 240 7070, GSM +370 656 04660Open: Mon to Sun 11:00–24:00

Theatres

Vilnius Puppet Theatre LėlėArklių St. 5Tel. +370 5 262 8678 (Box Office)Box Office is open: Tue to Sun 10:00–16:00www.teatraslele.lt

Elfų TheatreKonstitucijos Ave. 23 BTel. +370 5 272 6052GSM +370 652 49053www.elfuteatras.lt

Keistuolių TheatreLaisvės Ave. 60Tel. +370 5 242 4585 (Box Office)Box Office is open: Mon to Fri 11:00–19:00 and 1 h pre-performance until curtain-upAt the weekends tickets are sold for the performanceof that day only.www.keistuoliai.lt

Raganiukės TheatreS. Stanevičiaus St. 24 GSM +370 677 19812, +370 670 97832Box Office is open: Tue to Fri 11:00–18:30, Sat/Sun 10:00–17:00www.raganiuke.lt

At weekends, Menų spaustuvė (Arts Printing House), the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, Vilnius Congress Palace, the Dance Theatre of the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts and Vilnius Teachers’ House invite people to attend children’s performances and events for families with children. For more information visit www.vilnius-events.lt (under “For Children”).

Playgrounds

Entertainment Park X PlanetOzo St. 18 (Shopping and Entertainment Centre Ozas, 2nd floor)(GPS N 54°42.804’ E 25°16.400’) (N 54.713398º E 25.273335º)

Tel. +370 5 260 8735Open: Mon to Fri 12:00–21:00, Sat 10:00–22:00, Sun 10:00–21:00www.xplanet.lt

The most frequented entertainment park for families in Lithuania and Belarus. On the adventure and entertainment planet visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy different attractions, active sports entertainment, electronic games and various events for children.

Euroopa Ozo St. 25 (Shopping and Entertainment Centre Akropolis, ground floor)(GPS N 54°42.637’ E 25°15.664’) (N 54.71062º E 25.261068º)

Tel. +370 5 238 7848GSM +370 618 44918Open: Mon to Sun 10:00–22:00www.pramoguimperija.lt/euroopa

This entertainment centre is smiles and laughter of the little ones, winding tunnels, pools of colourful balls, enjoyable swings, merry-go-rounds, the softest trampoline and real merriment with cheerful inhabitants of the children entertainment centre.

Children’s Game Centre BambolinasVerkių St. 29, Block 9(GPS N 54°42.793’ E 25°17.778’) (N 54.713221º E 25.296297º)

Tel. +370 5 274 1482Open: Tue to Sun 10:00–20:00www.bambolinas.lt

Look for more offers on the Internet website www.vilnius-tourism.lt (under “Entertainment / Entertainment for Children, Family” and Vilnius Events Mosaic on the website www.vilnius-events.lt.

• Museum of Energy and Technology (interactive expositions for children)Rinktinės St. 2, tel. +370 5 278 2085, www.emuziejus.lt (more information on p. 39)

• Planetarium(special programmes for children of different age) Konstitucijos Ave. 12 A, tel. +370 5 272 4148, www.planetarium.lt

• Television Tower Sausio 13-osios St. 10, tel. +370 5 252 5333, www.lrtc.lt (more information on p. 40)

• Wax Figure Museum – Gallery Aušros Vartų St. 19, GSM +370 673 72311,+370 685 43447, www.waxfigures.tik.lt (more information on p. 32)

• European Park Joneikiškiai Village, Vilnius District, tel. +370 5 237 7077, www.europosparkas.lt (more information on p. 56)

• Vilnius University Botanical Garden in Kairėnai Kairėnų St. 43, www.botanikos-sodas.vu.lt (more information on p. 60)

• Corn Labyrinth (summer – autumn)next to restaurant Trakų Dvarkiemis, 18th km on the Vilnius–Trakai road, www.kukuruzulabirintas.lt

• Adventure Parks in Vilnius and near Vilnius (more information on p. 91-92)

• Vichy Aqua Park Ozo St. 14 C, tel. +370 5 211 1112, www.vandensparkas.lt (more information on p. 87)

Parents with Children are Recommended to Visit:

Page 50: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Useful links Useful links

9796

GPS COORDINATES

What to See in Vilnius and Environs

Europos parkas (Park of Europe) (GPS N 54°49.846’ E 25°21.105’) (N 54.830763º E 25.351742º)

Geographical Centre of Europe(GPS N 54°54.370’ E 25°19.234’) (N 54.906174º E 25.320562º)

Television Tower(GPS N 54º41.303’ E 25º12.846’) (N 54.688375º E 25.214093º)

Administration of Pavilniai and Verkiai Regional Parks(GPS N 54°45.034’ E 25°17.680’) (N 54.750573º E 25.29467º)

Entertainment and Leisure Centre Belmontas(GPS N 54°41.032’ E 25°21.376’) (N 54.68386º E 25.356261º)

Vilnius University Botanical Garden(GPS N 54°44.181’ E 25°24.182’) (N 54.736355º E 25.403027º)

Stone Sculpture Park Vilnoja(GPS N 54°47.471’ E 25°04.794’) (N 54.791183º E 25.079908º)

Neries Regional Park(GPS N 54°49.246’ E 24°58.473’) (N 54.820767º E 24.974545º)

Vichy Aqua Park(GPS N 54°42.980’ E 25°16.653’) (N 54.71634º E 25.277556º)

Belmontas Adventure Park (GPS N 54°41.034’ E 25°21.402’) (N 54.683896º E 25.356699º)

LABAS Adventure Park (GPS N 54°43.511’ E 25°18.958’) (N 54.725179º E 25.315966º)

Entertainment and Leisure Park TonyResort (Anupriškės)(GPS N 54º 42.333’ E 24º 54.233’) (N 54.705556º E 24.903889º)

Soviet Bunker(GPS N 54º 49.875’ E 25º 32.124’) (N 54.831252º E 25.535404º)

Other Lithuanian Cities

Trakai Tourist Information Centre(GPS N 54°38.304’ E 24°56.012’) (N 54.638401º E 24.933526º)

Administration of the State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė(GPS N 54°53.157’ E 24°51.235’) (N 54.885945º E 24.853919º)

Kaunas Region Tourist Information Centre (GPS N 54°53.837’ E 23°55.138’) (Laisvės Ave. 36) (N 54.897291º E 23.918973º)

Klaipėda Tourist and Culture Information Centre(GPS N 55°42.500’ E 21°08.019’) (N 55.708337º E 21.133648º)

Birštonas Tourist Information Centre (GPS N 54°35.574’ E 24°01.606’) (N 54.592894º E 24.026767º)

Druskininkai Tourist and Business Information Centre(GPS N 54°00.924’ E 23°58.647’) (Gardino St. 3) (N 54.015396º E 23.97745º)

Šiauliai Tourist Information Centre (GPS N 55°55.948’ E 23°18.779’) (N 55.932462º E 23.312983º)

Kryžių kalnas (Hill of Crosses) (GPS N 56°00.932’ E 23°24.821’) (N 56.015536º E 23.41368º)

Palanga Tourist Information Centre (GPS N 55°55.092’ E 21°04.015’) (N 55.918206º E 21.066918º)

QR CODES OF USEFUL INTERNET WEBSITES

QR is a barcode (Quick Response) after scanning of which with your mobile phone (with a camera or the Internet access), you will be directed to relevant websites. QR readers can be chosen and downloaded here: http://tiny.lt/qr

www.vno.lt

www.vilniustransport.lt

www.muziejai.lt

www.vilnius.lt

www.vilniusautomobiliu.lt

www.lietuva.lt

www.travel.lt

www.tourism.lt

www.lietuvosmarsrutai.eu

www.piligrimukelias.lt

GPS co-ordinates are needed to plan the route with the navigation equipment Tom Tom, Garmin, etc. The co-ordinates are introduced into navigation (GPS) in the following ways: degrees and minutes dd mm.mmm’ (e.g.: N 32° 18.385’ E 122° 36.875’) or degrees dd dddd (N 32.30642° E 122.61458°) (most often in smart phones with navigation).

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USEFUL INTERNET WEBSITES FOR TOURIST

Public Authorities

Lithuanian Tourist Information Centres Abroad

www.vilnius.lt Vilnius City Municipality Lithuanian, English

www.president.lt Website of the President of the Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian, English, French, Russian

www.lrs.lt Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian, English French, Chinese, Russian, German

www.lrv.lt Government of the Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian, English

www.tourism.lt State Department of Tourism Lithuanian, English

www.urm.lt Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian, English, Russian, French

www.migracija.lt Migration Department Lithuanian, English, Russian

Tourism in Vilnius, Lithuania

www.vilnius-tourism.lt Vilnius tourism news, main places of interest, excursions, tours, events, and tourism publications

Lithuanian, English, German, Polish, Russian

www.travel.lt Main resources and services of Lithuanian tourism

Lithuanian, English German, Russian, Polish, Italian, Latvian

www.lietuva.lt Lithuanian Internet gateway Lithuanian, English French

www.turizmas.lt Lithuanian Tourism Catalogue Lithuanian, English, German, Russian

www.muziejai.lt Lithuanian museums Lithuanian, English, German, French

www.musupaveldas.lt Cultural tourism in Lithuania Lithuanian, English Latvian

www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania Lithuanian city guides English

www.lonelyplanet.com/lithuania Information about Lithuania and its cities from the most popular Lonely Planet series

English

www.litauen-info.de Main information about Lithuania German

www.vilna.info Detailed information about Lithuania and Vilnius Finish

www.atostogoskaime.lt Information about rural tourism in Lithuania Lithuanian, English, Russian, German

www.lithuania-photo.com Bird‘s eye view photographs and filmed material

Lithuanian, English

www.top10inthecity.com Information about Vilnius on the Internet and in mobile phones

English

www.piligrimukelias.lt Pilgrimage road of John Paul II in Lithuania Lithuanian, English, Russian, German

www.lietuvosmarsrutai.eu Multimedia presentation of Lithuanian tourist routes

Lithuanian, English German

www.vilniusautomobiliu.lt Picturesque auto route in the city of Vilnius and its environs

Lithuanian, English

www.greatbaltic.eu Project The Great March across the Baltic States

Lithuanian, English, Russian, Estonian, Latvian

www.baltikuminfo.de Germany (Berlin) German

www.lituaniatur.com Spain (Barcelona) Spanish

www.liettua.fi Finland (Helsinki) Finnish

www.litinfo.ru Russia (Moscow) Russian

www.litwatravel.com Poland (Warsaw) Polish

www.lithuaniatourism.co.uk Great Britain (London) English

www.infotourlituanie.fr France (Paris) French

www.turismolituano.it Italy (Roma) Italian

Useful links Useful links

Page 52: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

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Page 53: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

AAnykščių g. H1Aguonų g. L3, M3Algirdo g. L3, M3Amatų g. M2, M3Apkasų g. G4, H4Arsenalo g. J4, J5Arklių g. L4Aušros Vartų g. L4, M4Aukštaičių g. L5Alkūnės g. M5Antakalnio g. H6Akmenų g. K3

BBirutės g. K1Birželio 23-osios g. L2, M2Barboros Radvilaitės g. K5Bokšto g. L5Baltstogės g. M5, M6K. Būgos g. I6Balandžių g. M6J. Basanavičiaus g. K2, L2, L3Bazilijonų g. M4

ČM. K. Čiurlionio g. K1

DDeltuvos g. H1K. Donelaičio g. L1Durpių g. G3Dubingių g. G3, H3Daugėliškio g. H3Didžioji g. L4 M. Daukšos g. L5, M4M. Dobužinskio g. J6Dailidžių g. J6Dominikonų g. D2

EElnių g. I1

FS. Fino g. I4Filaretų g. K6

GGeležinio Vilko g. K1, G2, H2, I2, J2, K2A. Goštauto g. J2, K2, J3Giedraičių g. H3, I3, H4Gedimino pr. K3, K4Gervėčių g. M5, M6Gedimino pr. J2Gynėjų g. J2Geležinkelio g. M4J. Galvydžio g. G5Geležinė g. M6Gelvonų g. G1

IŠv. Ignoto g. K4

JJ. Jasinskio g. J2, K2Jovaro g. K2, L2Jogailos g. K3K. Jauniaus g. I6A. Juozapavičiaus g. J4Šv. Jono g. K4

KKalvarijų g. H4, I4, G4K. Kalinausko g. K2, K3Šv. Kazimiero g. L4, L5P. Klimo g. K2, L2Krokuvos g. I3, I4Kauno g. M2, M3Kernavės g. G3, H3Krivių g. K5, K6Kęstučio g. I1J. Kraševskio g. K1S. Konarskio g. L1M. Katkaus g. H5T. Kosciuškos g. J5J. Kubiliaus g. G5

V. Kudirkos g. K2Kedrų g. L1Kražių g. J2Konstitucijos pr. I3Kaštonų g. J3Kaltanėnų g. H4Kedrų g. M1Kranto g. L6Krėvos g. M6

LP. Lukšio g. G4, G5, G6Linkmenų g. G3, H3Lvovo g. I2, I3Ligoninės g. L4Lūšių g. H1, I1Lokių g. I1Lenktoji g. I1Latvių g. I1Liepyno g. I1Liubarto g. J1Lukiškių g. J2, J3Lydos g. L4Liepkalnio g. M5

MMaironio g. K5, L5H. Manto g. H4, I4S. Moniuškos g. J1A. Mickevičiaus g. J1Mindaugo g. L3Maišiagalos g. G4Minties g. H5Markučių g. M6

NNaugarduko g. N1, L3T. Narbuto g. I1Nočios g. K1Neries g. G6Naručio g. M5

OOlandų g. K6Ozo g. G2, G3Olimpiečių g. J5

PPelesos g. M4Pylimo g. K3, L3Pieninės g. H1Paribio g. H1D. Poškos g. J1Pušų g. J1V. Pietario g. L1Pakalnės g. K2 Panerių g. M3Pamėnkalnio g. K3Punsko g. M3Pilies g. K4Pranciškonų g. L4Pylimo g. M4Paupio g. L5, L6M. K. Paco g. J6Pavasario g. J6Polocko g. K6

RRaseinių g. L1, L2Ratnyčios g. G3, H3Rudnios g. H3Rinktinės g. I4, J4Rūdninkų g. L4Raugyklos g. M4Raitininkų g. I5, J5Rasų g. L5, M5, M6Ramybės g. M5

S, ŠSmolensko g. L2, M2Savanorių pr. L1, M1Šv. Stepono g. L4, M4Subačiaus g. L5, L6A. Stulginskio g. K3A. Smetonos g. K3Z. Sierakausko g. K2P. Skorinos g. L1L. Sapiegos g. I6Stirnų g. I1Stumbro g. I1 Sėlių g. I1

Skroblų g. M1Saltoniškių g. I2Studentų g. I2Suvalkų g. K2Saracėnų g. H4, I4Slucko g. J4Sodų g. M4Stoties g. M4Seinų g. M4Sniego g. M4Sporto g. I5Sluškų g. J5Stadiono g. M5Smėlio g. H6Saulės g. J6Skudučių g. M6Sibiro g. M6Švitrigailos g. L2, L3, M3Švenčionių g. M5, M6Šilutės g. I4, H4V. Šopeno g. M3, M4T. Ševčenkos g. L2Širvintų g. G3, H3Šilo g. H6Šeimyniškių g. I5Šeškinės g. G1Šaltinių g. M3Šnipiškių g. J3Šermukšnių g. J3Šventaragio g. K4

TTyzenhauzų g. N5, M4, M5J. Tumo-Vaižganto g. J2, K2, J3Teatro g. K3, L3Tuskulėnų g. H5, I5Treniotos g. J1Traidenio g. J1Tauro g. K3Treinio g. G4Trimitų g. H4Turgaus g. I4Tilto g. J4

Totorių g. K4Trakų g. L4Turgelių g. M5

U, ŪUkmergės g. G1, H1Upės g. I2, J3Upytės g. H1Utenos g. H3Ulonų g. G4, G5Užupio g. L5

VVilniaus g. K3, J4, K4P. Vileišio g. G6, H6, I6P. Višinskio g. L6, M6T. Vrublevskio g. J4, K4Vytenio g. L2, M2Vytauto g. J1Vykinto g. J1Valančiaus g. K2A. Vivulskio g. L2Vasario 16-osios g. J3Vingrių g. L3Verkių g. H4Vokiečių g. L4Varšuvos g. M5Vasaros g. J6Vitebsko g. M6

Z, ŽŽirmūnų g. I5, I6, G6Žvirgždyno g. L6, K6Žemaitės g. M1Žalgirio g. H3Žvejų g. J4Žygimantų g. J4Žemaitijos g. L4Žygio g. G5S. Žukausko g. G5Zarasų g. L6

Page 54: Vilnius Visitor's Guide

Senamiestis (Vilnius Old Town)Senamiestis (Vilnius Old Town)Topographic information:Scale 1:10000 Orthographic map ORT10LT © National Land Service under MoA, 2005-2006;Scale 1:10000 Cartographic database KDB10LT © National Land Sevice under MoA, 2001-2002

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Shopping streets

Railways

Parks, green areas

Buildings

Cemetery

Art galleries and workshops of fine artsLe

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Walk these routes with audio guide! You can rent it in Vilnius Tourist information Centres (Vilniaus St. 22 and Didžioji St. 31 (Town Hall).

Walk route around Vilnius No. 1

Walk route around Vilnius No. 2

Museums

Houses of worship

Synagogue

Monument, sculpture

Theatres

Art centres

Concert halls

Cinema theatres

Trade and entertainment centres

Accommodation

Markets

Panoramic views

Tourist information

Banks and currency exchanges

Public WCs

Post offices

Embassies

Consulates

Public authorities

Page 55: Vilnius Visitor's Guide