Day 288–289: Exploring Vilnius

A Rushed Walking Tour:

I overslept and woke at 10:09 a.m.—the walking tour began at 11:00, 1.7 km away! I raced through the streets, making it just in time. The tour was informative but skipped over Vilnius’s major landmarks. Still, it was a good orientation.

Back at the hostel, the dorm felt almost empty: eight beds, but only two occupied. Quiet nights are a rare treat, so I booked another night to plan my route north to Latvia.

Churches of Vilnius

Vilnius is a city of churches, and I began at the Church of St. Casimir. Its Baroque interior stretched upwards with ornate facades and altars of artificial marble. Built by Jesuits in 1604, it was dedicated to St. Casimir, canonised just two years earlier. The Soviets closed it in 1949, turning it into a wine warehouse. When it was finally returned to worshippers in 1988, it symbolised not just faith but resilience.

St Theresa's Church:

Nearby stood St. Theresa’s Church, another gem. Its arched ceilings and painted interiors glowed, though much of its history is scarred by fire, war, and closure under Tsarist and Soviet rule. Outside, I noticed the scallop shell symbol of the Camino de Santiago. It stirred memories of my own pilgrimage in 2017, when I walked 1,585 km across Europe and Israel. The Camino challenges not just your body but your spirit—it brings both tears and joy.

The Gates of Dawn

Further along stood the Gates of Dawn—the only surviving gate of the city’s original ten. Built in 1514 as part of Vilnius’s fortifications, it now houses a small chapel above the arch. Mass was in progress when I arrived, so I paused quietly. No photos are allowed here, only reverence.

The Republic of Uzupis

Crossing a bridge, I stepped into the quirky Republic of Uzupis—a self-declared micronation of artists. Its constitution, displayed on walls in many languages, reads like poetry: “Everyone has the right to be happy. Everyone has the right to be unhappy.”

Angel of Uzupis,

At the heart of Uzupis stands the Angel of Uzupis, a statue blowing its horn to announce the district’s creative spirit. Once, before the sculpture was ready, an egg was placed here to symbolise that the Angel would soon hatch. Today, the square is lively with cafes and sunlight. I stopped at the pub where the republic’s “parliament” once gathered, and thought of how art can transform neglected corners into symbols of freedom.

St. Anne’s Church

Finally, I reached St. Anne’s Church, the Gothic jewel of Vilnius. With its red-brick spires and intricate facade, it is said Napoleon once wanted to carry it back to Paris in the palm of his hand. Inside, scaffolding and repairs surround it now; its beauty is undeniable. Next to it stands a 19th-century bell tower, built to mimic its Gothic style.

Reflections on Vilnius

At first, Vilnius didn’t impress me. The streets scarred by construction and crumbling balconies felt neglected. But the old town grew on me—the churches, the republic of artists, the Gothic marvels. History here is layered: Pagan to Catholic, Tsarist to Soviet, devastation to rebirth.

Today, Vilnius is alive with scaffolding not just as an eyesore, but as a symbol of renewal. Tourism brings prosperity, and the six universities fill the streets with students from around the world.

Three days won’t be enough to absorb it all, but I’m grateful for the chance to try. Thank you for walking beside me on this journey.

A couple of videos I found online, just copy and paste and enjoy the delights of Vilnius captured on film. Wish they were mine, but having to carry the equipment necessary would be hard to do.

https://youtu.be/DE_wtn3RKvk

https://youtu.be/NLrL9Lnx75I

Andrew — Inspire Seniors Travel