Vilnius is the only capital in Europe situated on the boundary between two ancient – Latin and Byzantine – civilisations. In this city of ancient and versatile cultures, the spirit of tolerance for different nations and religions has been displayed for some time. Vilnius was first mentioned in written sources in 1323, and by the 15th century it had turned into a beautiful medieval city, the heritage of which is still fascinating. The architecture of the Old Town is the feather in the cap of the city.
The baroque buildings of the largest Old Town in Central and Eastern Europe (360 ha), which has managed to preserve the medieval network of streets and typical spaces, remind us of beautiful ancient Italian towns where Baroque was born. Gracious slender towers supporting the sky are the works of the Lithuanian Baroque School. The Old Town of Vilnius, located in an amphitheatre of breathtaking nature, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994.
Established on the boundary of two cultures, Vilnius has always been a city of modernity open to dialogues of different cultures. Profound traditions and experiences of ethnic culture are creatively incorporated into modern art forms – theatre, music, visual arts, and dance – and render a new quality of art.
The capital of Lithuania is one of the most beautiful cities in the Old Continent where the heritage of the past and the achievements of the present, science and culture co-exist in harmony. Residents of Vilnius are hospitable and cheerful people.