Places of interest
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CATHEDRAL SQUARE Evaluate
Cathedral Square is the heart of the capital, a social and spiritual centre of Vilnius. It is the place where the history of the city begins and where the past, present, and future merge together. On a high hill you may see the legendary Gediminas Castle Tower while the foot of the hill embraces the solemn Vilnius Cathedral. Though it does not like other ornate Catholic churches, the Cathedral fascinates by its modesty, simplicity, and antique elements. The sculptures of St. Helen, St. Casimir, and St. Stanislav, which decorate the pediment of the façade, bless the citizens and guests of the city.
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Cathedral Square is the heart of the capital, a social and spiritual centre of Vilnius. It is the place where the history of the city begins and where the past, present, and future merge together. On a high hill you may see the legendary Gediminas Castle Tower while the foot of the hill embraces the solemn Vilnius Cathedral. Though it does not like other ornate Catholic churches, the Cathedral fascinates by its modesty, simplicity, and antique elements. The sculptures of St. Helen, St. Casimir, and St. Stanislav, which decorate the pediment of the façade, bless the citizens and guests of the city.
The style of the Cathedral, which was rebuilt several times, has changed from Baroque to Renaissance. Built at the end of the 18th century, the current temple is a design of the famous Lithuanian architect Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius. In 1889, the Cathedral was endowed the name Basilica. After the establishment of the Vilnius Archdiocese in 1925, it has become an Cathedral.
The catacombs of the Cathedral safeguard the remains of the former temples dating back to the 13th—15th century. Here you may also find the oldest Lithuanian fresco (14th century). The Cathedral venerates the relics of St. Casimir, the Patron of Lithuania. His remains are kept in a silver sarcophagus, on the altar of the ornate Baroque chapel of St Casimir. The royal mausoleum located in the Cathedral catacombs is the final resting place of Lithuanian rulers: Vytautas the Great and his wife Ona, Queen Barbora Radvilaitė, and the urn with the heart of King Vladislovas Vaza.
A 57-metre-high Cathedral belfry is a tower of the former defensive wall rebuilt in 1530. The reddish-brown paving stones in Cathedral Square mark the contour of the former city wall. In 1989, the belfry was a starting point of the Baltic Chain — a 595-kilometre-long human chain that ran between Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn and symbolized the solidarity of the Baltic States in their struggle for independence.
Even if you are in a hurry, do not forget to step on a paving stone named stebuklas (Engl. miracle) located between the Cathedral and the belfry. It is believed that if you step on this mosaic-decorated paving stone and turn full-circle clockwise 3 times with your eyes closed, it will make your secret wishes come true. Give it a try!
The Cathedral leans against the rebuilt 16th century representative building of the former Lower Castle, also called the Royal Palace. A number of archaeological excavations have been carried out at the site, which have enriched the history of the country with a number of interesting facts. Formerly, the current National Museum of Lithuania, the Museum of Applied Art, and the Royal Palace formed the complex of the Lower Castle. Now this complex comprises the Vilnius Castles National Cultural Reserve.
If you cast a look upwards, your eyes will fall on the Gediminas Castle Tower. At the foot of the Castle Hill, you will find a monument to Grand Duke Gediminas, the founder of the city. With a sword in his hand, he if guards the city from enemies. The twist of Vilnia at the foot of the hill embraces Sereikiškių Park, a popular place for walks. Formerly, this place was called the Šventaragis Valley.
The style of the Cathedral, which was rebuilt several times, has changed from Baroque to Renaissance. Built at the end of the 18th century, the current temple is a design of the famous Lithuanian architect Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius. In 1889, the Cathedral was endowed the name Basilica. After the establishment of the Vilnius Archdiocese in 1925, it has become an Cathedral.
The catacombs of the Cathedral safeguard the remains of the former temples dating back to the 13th—15th century. Here you may also find the oldest Lithuanian fresco (14th century). The Cathedral venerates the relics of St. Casimir, the Patron of Lithuania. His remains are kept in a silver sarcophagus, on the altar of the ornate Baroque chapel of St Casimir. The royal mausoleum located in the Cathedral catacombs is the final resting place of Lithuanian rulers: Vytautas the Great and his wife Ona, Queen Barbora Radvilaitė, and the urn with the heart of King Vladislovas Vaza.
A 57-metre-high Cathedral belfry is a tower of the former defensive wall rebuilt in 1530. The reddish-brown paving stones in Cathedral Square mark the contour of the former city wall. In 1989, the belfry was a starting point of the Baltic Chain — a 595-kilometre-long human chain that ran between Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn and symbolized the solidarity of the Baltic States in their struggle for independence.
Even if you are in a hurry, do not forget to step on a paving stone named stebuklas (Engl. miracle) located between the Cathedral and the belfry. It is believed that if you step on this mosaic-decorated paving stone and turn full-circle clockwise 3 times with your eyes closed, it will make your secret wishes come true. Give it a try!
The Cathedral leans against the rebuilt 16th century representative building of the former Lower Castle, also called the Royal Palace. A number of archaeological excavations have been carried out at the site, which have enriched the history of the country with a number of interesting facts. Formerly, the current National Museum of Lithuania, the Museum of Applied Art, and the Royal Palace formed the complex of the Lower Castle. Now this complex comprises the Vilnius Castles National Cultural Reserve.
If you cast a look upwards, your eyes will fall on the Gediminas Castle Tower. At the foot of the Castle Hill, you will find a monument to Grand Duke Gediminas, the founder of the city. With a sword in his hand, he if guards the city from enemies. The twist of Vilnia at the foot of the hill embraces Sereikiškių Park, a popular place for walks. Formerly, this place was called the Šventaragis Valley.
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