Lithuania is a small and historically courageous country with 3.5 million inhabitants. In 1990 Lithuania regained it’s independence from Soviet Occupation. Since that time the country has gone from strength to strength rebuilding it’s economic and political structures and is now equipped with all modern Western comforts which can be easily found with the exception of some rural areas.

Places of interest:

1) KGB Museum or Museum of Genocide – The museum concentrates on the 50 year occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union showing what happened to the Lithuanian resistance fighters if they were arrested and the horrific executions that took place during this period in the confines of the museum / prison itself. Entry fee 10LTL

2) The Television Tower with Restaurant and Bungee Jumping – The tower is quite young being only 28 years old. It was completed in 1980 after 6.5 years construction work during the soviet occupation from reinforced concrete and steel and rises to 326 meters with the rotating restaurant ‘Pauksciu takas’ or ‘Milky Way’ being 165 meters high. There is a museum in the entrance lobby dedicated to 13 January 1991 when USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev ordered tanks against the Civilians who were protesting at the continued occupation and seizure of the Vilnius TV tower by the Soviets. 14 helpless civilians lost their lives and 700 were injured by the ruthless movements of the tanks. Bungee jumping from the tower is sometimes available for 100LTL. Entry Fee 20LTL

3) Saint Peter and Paul’s Basilica – This is a must see if you have any interest in architecture. The interior displays the finest of Lithuania’s Baroque architecture which took 30 years to complete. The church has a long history and has been rebuilt many times with the first church having being built of wood after the conversion to Christianity of King Jogaila in the 14th century. No entry Fee

4) Gates of Dawn – The gates which are part of the defence fortification of Vilnius were one of nine sets of gates built in the early 16th century. The other gates were destroyed by city officials in the 18th century. Above the gates is a chapel and shrine dedicated to the blessed virgin Mary as it was customary at the time the gates were built to house religious artifacts to ward off evil intentions to the city and protect travelers. A large icon of Mary is displayed in the chapel and can be seen from the street which passes below. Many miracles are attributed to the shrine. No Entry fee

5) The Cathedral and Main Square (St. Stanislovo St. Vladislovo Basilica) – The site which the existing Neoclassical cathedral (completed 1801) lies on has been host to many different buildings and fires over the centuries. The first Christian church was built by King Mindaugas in 1251 prior to which it was most probably a site for pagan rituals. After Mindaugas death in 1263 the site again became host to pagans until and the Christianising of Lithuania in 1387. The cathedral also hosts St. Casimir’s mortal remain in a side chapel – he is the patron saint of Lithuania and Poland. No entry Fee Between the cathedral and the bell tower you will find a glass tile in the the floor with the word ’stebuklas’ inscribed in it, this means miracle. The tile was placed there to signify the importance of the 600km human chain of 2.1 million people holding hands all the way from Vilnius to Tallinn on August 23, 1989 beginning the drive towards Independence with Lithuania being first to do so only six months after the event. There is a plaque placed beside Gediminas tower where the actual chain started. Stand on the glass tile spin and make a wish if you please! No entry Fee

6)Gediminas tower, The Royal Palace and Serekiskes Park – The original lower castle (now Royal Palace) and upper castle (Gediminas Tower) would have first been built from wood in the 14th century. The first stone structure was assembled for the Royal Palace in the 15th century. In the 17th century the Palace was destroyed by fire and in 1801 completely demolished by the Russian Tsars. The present reconstruction which started in 2002 is almost complete. No entry to the inside at present. The upper castle or Gediminas tower was completed in 1409 by Vytautas the then Grand Duke. Two other towers were also built at the same time on the hill with only the foundations remaining for one of them. The tower can be reached from the cathedral square by foot or by taking the funicular from the north side. Fee 20LTL

We can accommodate between 2 and 11 adults comfortably during your visit to Vilnius at very reasonable rates in our spacious modern Self Catering apartment with Sauna, Sat. TV, Wifi Internet etc. Please visit http://ltour.lt/self-catering-apartments-vilnius to make an inquiry.