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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 capital was first mentioned in written sources of the 12th century. It become famous after the invitation letter written by Gediminas, the grand Duke from 1316, to German merchants.

Vilnius was established as a city in 1387, when it was given Magdeburg Rights by Ladislaus II of Poland. In the following centuries, Vilnius became a constantly growing and developing city, due in large part to the establishment of Vilnius University, founded by Stephen Báthory, King of Poland in 1578. The first university of this type in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, it soon developed into an important scientific and cultural center of Europe.

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 Jews, Russians, Germans, Karaimes, 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. The city developed rapidly, and, by the beginning of the 19th century, it was the third largest city in Eastern Europe. Only Moscow and St. Petersburg were larger.

Between 1920 and 1939, the city was disputed between Poland and independent Lithuania (see Central Lithuania for description): In this period Vilnius was effectively controlled by Poland, with the 70% Polish population and the political support of French and British governments of that time - because of fear, that the Soviets would attack western Europe, and expectation, that Poland, having interests in Vilnius, will stop possible strike. The Soviets occupied Vilnius in September 1939, followed by Nazi Germany. Of the significant Jewish population of Vilnius about 95% were murdered during the Nazi occupation. 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