Explore Vilnius before and now
If you are interested in architecture and visiting historical places, Vilnius Old Town is one of the greatest place to do it. Walking in the contemporary Vilnius centre one hardly understands that most of the spaces were reshaped there after the World War II. Vilnius was bombed in 1944, but later was considerably changed following the Soviet urban standards in 1950s. However now it is able to see the historical city views and here is some photos to compare as it was before and how it looks now. Start your short trip!
Didzioji st. or The Grand st. is one of the oldest streets in Vilnius. In ancient times, the church in the Piatnitsky site was located in the fish market. Solemn ceremony took place on the street nearby free standing hall discussing political issues. Now the street is one of the most visited by people in the streets. Are located in the luxury clothing shops, cafes, restaurants, cultural centers and clubs. This evolving shops that can boast of a famous brand and business experience.
Street has formed its face and is known as a luxury boutique-style shopping center. Traders, knowing it, exploit opportunities to develop in the street, because people want to buy the type of goods, the flow will go right here.
Gediminas Castle - it is one of three Vilnius castles, which was mentioned in historical documents. This Lower Castle was a residence of Grand Duke, built in 1230 on the Gediminas Hill. It is the oldest of them, the Upper Castle, now called Gediminas Castle.
Now the castle is an important state and historic symbol of the city of Vilnius and of Lithuania itself. From the top of the hill you can enjoy the marvelous panorama of Vilnius.
Vilnius Cathedral is one building that reminds of classical Athenian temples. The interior of this famous Cathedral is of a great artistic value. More than 40 artworks from the 16-19th centuries, both frescoes and paintings decorate the walls of the Cathedral. It has a museum dedicated to the history of the building from pagan time till nowadays is located in the Cathedral’s catacombs. At the exhibition different archeological finds and the altars of a pagan temple are presented.
Like many historic building the Cathedral has its mystery and doesn’t want to disclose it. There is a Latin inscription on the facade of the Valaviciai Chapel “Those who desecrate this creation will be unhappy“, it is believed to be the evil spell Valaviciai Chapel cast on the researchers. And in fact, the archeologists who explored the ancient layers of previous cathedrals tended to die rather suddenly.
If you would like to visit the museum in the Cathedral and to have a short guided excursion, visitors can purchase single tickets to the Cathedral and the underground Church Heritage Museum, the ticket price is 10 Lt ( 2.90 €).
St. Cazimir Church was founded by the Jesuits and dedicated to St. Casimir, construction of the church began in 1604s. Casimir’s church is one of the finest Baroque churches in Vilnius, it also displays Gothic and Renaissance elements. It was built according to the style of Il Gesu church in Rome. From 17th Century a large crypt was discovered under the main altar of the church. It displays beautiful bas-relief pictures in black and dark blue of the crucified and resurrected Jesus and of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as praying monks and calligraphy. Fifteen Jesuits and benefactors were buried in the crypt; the remains of two hundred other people found under the vestibule were transferred to the crypt in 1995.
Since the consecration of the church, each Sunday after the midday the best choirs in Lithuania present concerts.
St. Anne’s Church and Bernardine church. No other city in the Eastern Europe can boast of such a number of unique churches, situated one quite a small territory. St. Anne’s Church church is considered to be masterpiece of late Lithuanian gothic and it is situated in front of the Bernardine Church and forms with it a single architectural ensemble. St. Anne’s church has become a sort of visiting card of Vilnius.
There is a legend that Napoleon was so enchanted by its beauty that he exclaimed that he would like to place it on the palm and move to Paris. However, in fact, he used the church for the needs of the French cavalry.
St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church is a Roman Catholic church located. It is considered to be a Lithuanian Baroque masterpiece. The church is a basilica built on a traditional cross plan with a lantern dome allowing extra light into its white interior. The freestanding columns of the main facade were used for the first time in Lithuanian ecclesiastical architecture.
Gedimino prospectus ( avenue) is considered to be the main street in Vilnius. It is symbolic value can be seen from the patterns of changing its name as time goes by: it used to be called Lenin avenue in the Soviet times, and has known as Hitler avenue for a short period before that, and Mickiewicz avenue in the Polish Vilnius. Now it is named after duke who is said to have established Vilnius. There you can find many shops, banks and places to have a coffee or to taste some delicious food from coffee to restaurant or fast food eatery.
The street starts from the Cathedral + castle and ends near the Parliament, so it’s right in the centre of the city. In the sense it is comparable to the famous Avenyn in Gothenburg ( Sweden).
Pilies st. ( Castle st.) is best known as a tourist street. Now it is rich in a variety of souvenir shops and restaurants that offer a Lithuanian national food. This street is narrower, it is rarely ride by cars, here are lower buildings. Because the street is the old town heritage, it is the oldest and the most ornate street in Vilnius old town, which is full of architectural diversity.
Presidential Palace is the official office and eventual official residence of the President of Lithuania. The palace dates back to the 14th century and during its history it has undergone various reconstructions, supervised by prominent architects. Now it is the nineteenth century neoclassicism style Palace.
Town Hall Square of Vilnius is one of the oldest squares of Vilnius Old Town. Triangle form square appeared in the Market Square, which was on the fifteenth century. It is well known for events, the most famous is Kaziukas Fair held every year.
Sireikiškių Park (formerly – “Bernardine Garden ") - the Old Town Park bounded by Vilnelė river. Park was founded in the eighteenth century near the Bernardine monastery by monks. In addition, here is standing and Church of the Holy Francis of Assisi Church, commonly known as the Bernardine Church and the Church of the Holy Anne's Church. Before here was the Botanical Garden and the first water pumping station was built. Now this park is being renovated and on summer in 2013 it will be prepared for visitors.
The Green Bridge - the bridge over the Neris River in Vilnius. In 1915 withdrawing Russian troops unsuccessfully tried to blow it up. But in 1944 German blown it up along with the water pumping station and the city power station. The Green Bridge was rebuild in 1952.
Žvėrynas Church is neoromantic style church, which is historical, has rectangular plan and three naves. Facades are decorated with niches for statues of saints. It was built in 1925.
Even if this short route ends here, it is much more places you can visit in Vilnius, to take a guide and to know its stories. As so many things changed till these days, still it is very interesting to know and to see how it was before. 
Welcome to Vilnius!
