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| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| Vilnius has been inhabited for a long time, as proven by numerous ] findings in different parts of Vilnius. | Vilnius has been inhabited for a long time, as proven by numerous ] findings in different parts of Vilnius. Lithuanians have a tale about Vilnius' founding. According to the story, Vilnius was founded and built after ruling Grand Duke ] had a prophetic dream about a ] ] standing on a hill, and he asked a priest for an explanation. He was told that he must to build a ] and a grand city on the top of that hill. | ||
| The city was first mentioned in written sources of ]. It become famous after the invitation letter written by ], the grand Duke from ], to ] ]s. The first part of the city was the Castle built by ] on the Castle Hill. Vilnius was established as a city in ], when it was given ] by ]. The town was initially populated by local ]ns, but soon the population began to grow and craftsmen and merchants of other nationalities settled there. | |||
| Lithuanians have a tale about Vilnius' founding. According to the story, Vilnius was founded and built after ruling Grand Duke ] had a prophetic dream about a ] ] standing on a hill, and he asked a priest for an explanation. He was told that he must to build a ] and a grand city on the top of that hill. The capital was first mentioned in written sources of the ]. It become famous after the invitation letter written by ], the grand Duke from ], to ] ]s. | |||
| Between ] and ] the town was surrounded with ] with 9 gates and 3 towers. Vilnius reached the peak of its' developement under the reign of ], who moved his court there in ]. In the following centuries, Vilnius became a constantly growing and developing city, due in large part to the establishment of ], founded by king ] in ]. The first ] of this type in this part of ], it soon developed into one of the most important scientific and cultural centres of the region and the most notable scientific centre of the ]. Of course, political, economic and social life was also in full swing there. This is proved by statutes issued in the ], the last of which was still in force until the ]. Also, in ] the ] ] was founded; today it's one of the oldest still existing cemeteries in the world. | |||
| Vilnius was established as a city in ], when it was | |||
| given ] by ]. | |||
| In the following centuries, Vilnius became a constantly growing and developing city, due in large part to the establishment of ], founded by ] in ]. The first university of this type in the ], it soon developed into an important scientific and cultural center of Europe. | |||
| ⚫ | Rapidly developing, ] Vilnius was open to migrants from both East and West. Communities of ], ], ], ], ], ], and others established themselves in the city. Each group made its contribution to the life of the city: At that time crafts, trade and science were prospering in Vilnius. In ] Wilno was captured by the forces of ]. Severely pillaged, set on fire and massacred, the city lost its momentum for many years. Yet the number of inhabitants quickly recovered and by the beginning of the ], it was the third largest city in Eastern Europe. Only ] and ] were larger. This made the destruction of the city walls a must and after ]-] period only the Miedniki Gate (better known as ''Ostra Brama'' - ''Austros Vratai'' in Lithuanian) remained. | ||
| Of course, political, economic and social life was also in full swing there. This is proved by statutes issued in the ], the last of which was still in force until the ]. Also, in ] the ] ] was founded; today it's one of the oldest still existing cemeteries in the world. | |||
| After the ] (]) annexed by ] and turned into a capital of a ]. In ] seized by ] on his way towards ]. After the ] the ] was closed and severe repressions halted the further development of the city. During the ] in ] heavy city fights ocurred, brutally pacified by ] (nick-named "the Hanger", or ''Wieszaciel''). After the uprising all liberties were halted and the ] was banned. | |||
| ⚫ | Rapidly developing, Polish-Lithuanian Vilnius was open to migrants from both |
||
| During the ] in ] Vilna got under ] occupation and remained so until ]. In ] it was proclaimed a capital of the short-lived ]. On ], ] seized by the ] Army led by ]. On ] Wilno was again seized by the ]n forces. After their defeat in the ] the city was handed over to the newly reborn ]. On ], ] the Lithuanian-Belarussian Division of Gen. ] seized the city after a staged mutiny. The city and its' surroundings were proclaimed ]. On ], ] the local parliament passed an Unification Act and the city was incorporated to ] as the capital of the ]. | |||
| Between ] and ], the city was disputed between ] and independent ] (see ] for description): In this period Vilnius was effectively controlled by Poland, with the 70% Polish population and the political support of ] and ] governments of that time - because of fear, that the ]s would attack western Europe, and expectation, that Poland, having interests in Vilnius, will stop possible strike. The Soviets occupied Vilnius in September ], followed by ]. Of the significant Jewish population of Vilnius about 95% were murdered during the Nazi occupation. In ] Vilnius was liberated by the Polish ] during the ] (also known as ''Wilno Uprising''). | |||
| The ] ] accepted the status quo in ], yet the city remained a territorry disputed between ] and ] (the latter state treated Vilnius as its' ]al capital). Lithuania declined to accept the Polish authority over ] and it wasn't until the ] ultimatum, when the Lithuanian authorities resolved diplomatical relations with Poland and ''de facto'' accepted the borders of its neighbour. | |||
| Yet another time in its history Wilno started a period of fast development. The ] was reopened and the infrastructure was improved significantly. By ] Wilno had 195 000 inhabitants which made it the fifth biggest city in ]. | |||
| In the effect of the ] and the ] the city was occupied by the ] on ], ]. Only sporadic fights by the local self-defence units occurred since most of the Polish Army units were already fighting ] in other parts of ]. Vilna was initially planned as the capital of ], but after the talks in ] on ], ] the city and its' area was transferred to ] in exchange for ] military bases in Lithuania. In June ] Vilnius was again seized by the ] and turned into the capital of the ]. Approximately 35 000 - 40 000 of the city inhabitants were arrested by the ] and sent to ]s. | |||
| In June ] Vilna was again seized by ]. Approximately 100 000 inhabitants of the city were murdered in the mass executions in Ponary. Among them were 95% of the local ]ish population. In ] Vilnius was liberated by the Polish ] during the ] (also known as ''Wilno Uprising''). | |||
| After ] the Soviets ] most of the city's inhabitants and replaced them with Russians and Lithuanians. Starting from ] there were massive demonstrations against Soviet rule in the city. On ], ] Supreme Council of ] announced Independence and restored the Republic of Lithuania, which had been annexed by Soviet Union in ]. The Soviets responded on ], ] by sending in troops, and on ] during the ] attack on the State Radio and Television building and ] 14 people were killed and more than 700 seriously injured. | After ] the Soviets ] most of the city's inhabitants and replaced them with Russians and Lithuanians. Starting from ] there were massive demonstrations against Soviet rule in the city. On ], ] Supreme Council of ] announced Independence and restored the Republic of Lithuania, which had been annexed by Soviet Union in ]. The Soviets responded on ], ] by sending in troops, and on ] during the ] attack on the State Radio and Television building and ] 14 people were killed and more than 700 seriously injured. | ||
Revision as of 03:34, 19 June 2004
Vilnius (Polish Wilno, Belarusian Vilna) is the capital city of Lithuania.
Geographic and Population Data
City situated in South-Eastern Lithuania (54°41" north latitude and 25°17" east longitude) at the confluence of the River Vilnele (Wilejka) and the River Neris. This non-central location can be attributed to the changing shape of the nation through the past centuries; Vilnius was once not only culturally, but geographically the center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and main city of Poland.
The distance from Vilnius to the Baltic Sea and Klaipeda, main Lithuania seaport, is about 312 km. The distance is rather large, but other cities such as Kaunas, Siauliai, and Panevezys can be reached quickly and easily. They are 102, 214 and 135 km from the capital respectively.
The current area of Vilnius is 392 square kilometres. Buildings cover 20.2% of the city and in the remaining areas, greenery (43.9 %) and waters (2.1%) prevail.
According to official 2001 statistics, there were about 574,000 inhabitants in Vilnius, including 52.8% Lithuanian, 19.8% Polish, 19.2% Russian, 4.8% Belorussian, 3.3% of other nationalities.
Vilnius is also the largest administrative centre in Lithuania with all major political, economic, social and cultural centres. The County of Vilnius covers the regions of Vilnius, Salcininkai, Sirvintos, Svencionys, Trakai, and Ukmerge; totalling up to 965,000 ha.
History
Vilnius has been inhabited for a long time, as proven by numerous archaeological findings in different parts of Vilnius. Lithuanians have a tale about Vilnius' founding. According to the story, Vilnius was founded and built after ruling Grand Duke Gediminas had a prophetic dream about a iron wolf standing on a hill, and he asked a priest for an explanation. He was told that he must to build a castle and a grand city on the top of that hill.
The city was first mentioned in written sources of 1323. It become famous after the invitation letter written by Gediminas, the grand Duke from 1316, to German merchants. The first part of the city was the Castle built by Gedyminas on the Castle Hill. Vilnius was established as a city in 1387, when it was given Magdeburg Rights by Ladislaus II of Poland. The town was initially populated by local Ruthenians, but soon the population began to grow and craftsmen and merchants of other nationalities settled there.
Between 1503 and 1522 the town was surrounded with city walls with 9 gates and 3 towers. Vilnius reached the peak of its' developement under the reign of Zygmunt II August, who moved his court there in 1544. In the following centuries, Vilnius became a constantly growing and developing city, due in large part to the establishment of Vilnius University, founded by king Stefan Batory in 1578. The first university of this type in this part of Europe, it soon developed into one of the most important scientific and cultural centres of the region and the most notable scientific centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Of course, political, economic and social life was also in full swing there. This is proved by statutes issued in the 16th century, the last of which was still in force until the 19th century. Also, in 1769 the Rossa cemetery was founded; today it's one of the oldest still existing cemeteries in the world.
Rapidly developing, Polish-Lithuanian Vilnius was open to migrants from both East and West. Communities of Poles, Lithuanians, Jews, Russians, Germans, Karaims, and others established themselves in the city. Each group made its contribution to the life of the city: At that time crafts, trade and science were prospering in Vilnius. In 1655 Wilno was captured by the forces of Muscovy. Severely pillaged, set on fire and massacred, the city lost its momentum for many years. Yet the number of inhabitants quickly recovered and by the beginning of the 19th century, it was the third largest city in Eastern Europe. Only Moscow and St. Petersburg were larger. This made the destruction of the city walls a must and after 1799-1805 period only the Miedniki Gate (better known as Ostra Brama - Austros Vratai in Lithuanian) remained.
After the Third Partition of Poland (1795) annexed by Russia and turned into a capital of a gubernya. In 1812 seized by Napoleon on his way towards Moscow. After the November Uprising the University was closed and severe repressions halted the further development of the city. During the January Uprising in 1863 heavy city fights ocurred, brutally pacified by Mikhail Muravev (nick-named "the Hanger", or Wieszaciel). After the uprising all liberties were halted and the Polish language was banned.
During the World War I in 1915 Vilna got under German occupation and remained so until 1918. In 1919 it was proclaimed a capital of the short-lived Soviet Socialist Republic of Lithuania and Belarus. On April 19, 1919 seized by the Polish Army led by Edward Rydz-Śmigły. On July 14 Wilno was again seized by the Russian forces. After their defeat in the Battle of Warsaw the city was handed over to the newly reborn Lithuania. On October 9, 1920 the Lithuanian-Belarussian Division of Gen. Lucjan Żeligowski seized the city after a staged mutiny. The city and its' surroundings were proclaimed Central Lithuania. On February 20, 1922 the local parliament passed an Unification Act and the city was incorporated to Poland as the capital of the Wilno Voivodship.
The League of Nations Conference of Ambassadors accepted the status quo in 1923, yet the city remained a territorry disputed between Poland and Lithuania (the latter state treated Vilnius as its' constitutional capital). Lithuania declined to accept the Polish authority over Central Lithuania and it wasn't until the 1938 ultimatum, when the Lithuanian authorities resolved diplomatical relations with Poland and de facto accepted the borders of its neighbour.
Yet another time in its history Wilno started a period of fast development. The Stefan Batory University was reopened and the infrastructure was improved significantly. By 1931 Wilno had 195 000 inhabitants which made it the fifth biggest city in Poland.
In the effect of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the Polish September Campaign the city was occupied by the Red Army on September 19, 1939. Only sporadic fights by the local self-defence units occurred since most of the Polish Army units were already fighting Germany in other parts of Poland. Vilna was initially planned as the capital of Belarus, but after the talks in Moscow on October 10, 1939 the city and its' area was transferred to Lithuania in exchange for Soviet military bases in Lithuania. In June 1940 Vilnius was again seized by the Soviet Union and turned into the capital of the Lithuanian SSR. Approximately 35 000 - 40 000 of the city inhabitants were arrested by the NKVD and sent to Gulags.
In June 1941 Vilna was again seized by Germany. Approximately 100 000 inhabitants of the city were murdered in the mass executions in Ponary. Among them were 95% of the local Jewish population. In 1944 Vilnius was liberated by the Polish Home Army during the Operation Ostra Brama (also known as Wilno Uprising).
After World War II the Soviets expelled most of the city's inhabitants and replaced them with Russians and Lithuanians. Starting from 1987 there were massive demonstrations against Soviet rule in the city. On March 11, 1990 Supreme Council of Lithuanian SSR announced Independence and restored the Republic of Lithuania, which had been annexed by Soviet Union in 1940. The Soviets responded on January 9, 1991 by sending in troops, and on January 13 during the Soviet Army attack on the State Radio and Television building and Vilnius TV retranslation tower 14 people were killed and more than 700 seriously injured.
Vilnius Coat of Arms
The Vilnius coat of arms is St. Christopher (Kristupas) wading in the water and carrying the Infant Jesus on his shoulders. The coat of arms was given to the city in the seventh year of its existence, i.e. in 1330.
In pagan times, i.e. until the end of the 14th century, the Vilnius coat of arms featured Titan Alkis, hero of Lithuanian ancient tales, carrying his wife Janteryte on his shoulders across the river.
The Origin of the Vilnius Name
It is believed that Vilnius, like so many cities, was named after the river on whose banks it lies, i.e. the River Vilnele (Pol. Wilejka), which was anciently called the Vilnia.
Tourism Information
After Lithuania's Independence was ceded to by the Soviet Union in August 1991, Vilnius has been rapidly evolving and improving, transforming from a Soviet into a Western city in less than 10 years.
Today, Vilnius is a modern, cosmopolitan city reminiscent of Copenhagen or Paris. There are more than 40 churches in Vilnius to see. Restaurants, hotels and museums have sprouted since Lithuania declared independence and young Vilnius residents are building the city a reputation for being the most hospitable in the world as seen by the amazing number of members in the Hospitality Club.
Just like all medieval towns, Vilnius has developed around its Town Hall. The central Pilies Street linked the governors’ palace and the Town Hall. Other streets, winding like rivulets in the spring, make their way between the palaces of feudal lords and landlords, churches, shops and craftsmen workrooms. Narrow, curved streets and small cosy courtyards developed to the radial layout of the medieval Vilnius.
The Old Town, historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). The most valuable historic and cultural heritage is concentrated here. The buildings in the old town – there are about 1.5 thousand of them – were built in a number of different centuries, therefore, it is a mixture of all European architectural styles. Although Vilnius is often called a baroque city, here you will find some buildings of gothic, renaissance and other styles. The main sights of the city are the Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square, symbols of the capital. Their combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the capital. Because of its uniqueness, the Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. In 1995 the only known cast of Frank Zappa was installed in the centre of Vilnius with the permission of the government. Konstantinas Bogdanas, the renowned Lithuanian sculptor who had previously been casting portraits of Vladimir Lenin, immortalized Zappa.
Climate
The climate of Vilnius is transitional between continental and maritime. The average annual temperature is + 6.1 degrees Celsius, in January being – 4.9 and +17.0 degrees Celsius in July. The average precipitation is about 661 mm per year.
There happens extremely hot summers when the thermometer column shows above thirty degrees Celsius throughout the whole day. It is a real joy for owners of bars, cafés and night clubs as well as for people preferring entertainment: night life in Vilnius is in full swing on such days.
Transport
Vilnius is the starting point of the Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda and the Vilnius-Panevezys highways. Though the river Neris may be navigable, no regular water routes exist. Vilnius International Airport serves most Lithuanian international flights to all main European destinations. Vilnius Railway station is an important hub as well.
There is a trolleybus network for main public transport routes. An urban rail system is planned for the future. More information can be found at the Vilnius Transport website.
External Links
- Vilnius in Old Photographs - archive of photographs at Vilnius University
- Hospitality Club Vilnius - stay with friendly inhabitants of Vilnius for free