The Majestic and Royal Vilnius Walking Tour

The Majestic and Royal Vilnius Walking Tour

Vilnius was born from the dream of Great duke Gediminas. It became the capital city and the main residence of all rulers of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The manor of the Great Duke was located here. Vilnius was the place where life was in full swing, the place where music played and swords clashed, even messengers from all foreign countries stayed in here. During this tour you will be told about how Gediminas cleverly took care of the well- being of the capital, what innovations were brought by the queen Bona. Why Vladislav Vasa’s heart remained in Vilnius forever, what was the contribution of Steponas Batoras in Vilnius education, and why “Kaziukas Fair” rocks the city every year.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, National Museum, Katedros a. 4, Vilnius 01143 Lithuania

The reconstructed Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, the former political, diplomatic, cultural center of the State, was one of the most famous in Europe in the 15th-17th centures and was demolished in the beginning of the 19th century. This Palace is excellent located just in the heart of Vilnius, within the confines of Lower Castle. (visiting inside and courtyard).

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Cathedral (Arkikatedra Bazilika), Katedros aikste 1, Vilnius 01143 Lithuania

The Cathedral of St. Stanislav and St. Vladislav is the most important place of worship for Lithuania’s Catholics, and the venue for the country’s main Christian and national festivities.

As well visiting monument of Great duke Gediminas.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: St. Casimir's Church, Didzioji g. 34, Vilnius 01128 Lithuania

The Church was built by the Jesuits: work began on it in 1604, just two years after St Casimir had been canonised. It was dedicated to the memory of Saint Prince Casimir. The legend has it that as many as 700 people rolled the cornerstone from Antakalnis to the centre of the city. Today the stone can be still seen in the wall of the façade.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Baltic Souvenir Pilies, Pilies g. 21, Vilnius 01123 Lithuania

Pilies Street is the oldest and most flamboyant street in the Old Town of Vilnius. The street appeared in place of the former road from Vilnius Castle to the south, towards Poland and Russia. This was the main road to the castle, with its branches finally turning into side streets. The name of Pilies Street was mentioned in historical annals as early as 1530.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: St. Anne's Church, Maironio g. 8, Vilnius 01124, Lithuania

he church of St Anne is a masterpiece of the late Gothic period. St Anne’s Church, which has survived to the present day without changing for over 500 years, has become a symbol of Vilnius. At a closer look, one can see the letters A and M in the main facade of St Anne‘s. The letters A and M could stand for the Latin Ana Mater Maria or Ave Maria, i.e. „Saint Anne – Mother of Mary“ or „Hail Mary“. Some experts claim that the Pillars of Gediminas have been highlighted in the composition of the facade with the three towers of the church corresponding to the three pillars.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Vilnius University (Vilniaus Universitetas), Universiteto 3, Vilnius Lithuania

Vilnius University is the oldest university in the Baltic states and one of the oldest in Northern Europe. It is the largest university in Lithuania. The university was founded in 1579 as the Jesuit Academy (College) of Vilnius by Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, Stephen Báthory.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Vilnius Ghetto Memorial, Gaono g. 3-7, Vilnius 01131, Lithuania

The main Jewish quarter lay in the streets west of Didžioji gatvė. Today street names like Žydų (Jews) and Gaono (Gaon) are among the few reminders of those days. The 1572 Great Synagogue and its famous 1902 Strashun Library stood at the western end of Žydų gatvė. The synagogue was damaged in WWII and was demolished by Soviet authorities in the 1950s.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Presidential Palace, Daukanto aikste 3/8, Vilnius Lithuania

From the 16th century it served as a residence for Vilnius bishops. In the 18th century, when Lithuania was occupied and annexed to the Russian Empire, the palace served as a residence for the Governor General of Vilnius. Russian Tsar Alexander I, French King Louis XVIII, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and Polish Marshall and statesman Jozef Pilsudski visited the palace. In 1997, the building was renovated. Presently, the President of Lithuania and his Chancellery occupy the building, and leaders of other countries are received here.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Town Hall (Rotuse), Didzhioji g. 31, Vilnius 01128 Lithuania

The Town Hall building was Gothic to begin with and changed with time. The Town Hall was reconstructed for the last time by the architect Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius at the end of the 18th century. During that reconstruction, the Town Hall turned into a Classical building. In the 19th century, the Town Hall was transformed into a city theatre where a famous personality – Polish composer Stanisław Moniuszko – conducted the premier of his opera. Among all the Polish composers, only Frederic Chopin could be considered more prominent than Moniuszko.

Duration: 10 minutes