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| <b>Vilnius</b> is the capital city of ]. Formerly known as |
<b>Vilnius</b> (in ] ''Wilno'') is the capital city of ]. Formerly known as '''Wilno'''. | ||
| Vilnius was founded and built after ruling Grand duke Vytautas had a prophetic dream of a grand city. | Vilnius was founded and built after ruling Grand duke Vytautas had a prophetic dream of a grand city. | ||
Revision as of 09:56, 27 December 2002
Vilnius (in Polish Wilno) is the capital city of Lithuania. Formerly known as Wilno. Vilnius was founded and built after ruling Grand duke Vytautas had a prophetic dream of a grand city.
Vilnius is located in the far south-east corner of modern Lithuania. 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 Lithuania.
Although Vilnius was likely already inhabited in some form, the city was officially founded by Gediminas, grand Duke since 1316, who began a restoration with the aid of German colonists. Vilnius and other cities were founded with city statutes customary in Germany (Magdeburg Rights).
Between 1920 and 1939 the city was disputed between Poland and independent Lithuania: in this period Vilnius de facto belonged to the former. The soviets occupied Vilnius in September 1939, followed by nazi-Germany. Of the significant Jewish population of Vilnius about 95% was murdered during the nazi occupation. After World War II Vilnius remained in soviet hands, until 1990.
Today, Vilnius is a modern, cosmopolitan city reminiscent of Copenhagen or Paris. Restaurants, hotels and museums have sprouted since Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.