“Protect us, Lord, from war, pestilence and famine”, prayed the ancient Lithuanians. The 18th century brought many troubles to Lithuania – in 1700, the Great Northern War with Sweden began.
The century ended with the partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which eliminated the remnants of statehood, and brought Lithuania under the occupation of the Russian Empire. In the period between the two wars, the country and its capital were also devastated by famine, plague, and fire. However, a ray of hopeful light always shines after calamities or adversity. The 18th century can also be considered the period when culture flourished – at the time, Vilnius was one of the largest cities in Central Europe.
Some of Europe’s most renowned scientists lived in Vilnius. After several fires, Vilnius took on a new face – the one familiar to us today. The first botanical garden of Vilnius University blossomed, and the city dwellers enjoyed music and new performances. Scientists were able to stargaze from the new observatory, and the Vilna Gaon, who lived in the neighbourhood, made the city famous as the Jerusalem of Lithuania. In the 18th century, the citizens of Vilnius were interested in and followed the discoveries of Europe and the ideas of the Enlightenment, which laid the foundations not only for the modern city but also for the state. After all, Vilnius can be proud of the first written constitution in Europe and hosting the first secular ministry of education in Europe. So, even huge disasters did not manage to prevent the city from shining.
Discover the great achievements of Vilnius at the time, meet the city’s luminaries, and you will see that Vilnius in the 18th century was like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
What will you learn/see on this route?
- When was the first Vilnius Botanical Garden created, and where?
- Where was the home of Laurynas Stuoka Gucevičius, one of Vilnius’ most famous architects?
- Why was Vilnius known as Jerusalem?
- When did the first Vilnius City Theatre open its doors?
