The first Germans arrived in Vilnius at the time of King Mindaugas. At that time, a German community began to emerge in Vilnius, and its contribution to the economic and cultural life of the city is indisputable
We have all heard of the letters from Grand Duke Gediminas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the Hanseatic cities, but have you ever heard of the letters from King Mindaugas II about Lithuania? Do you know the name of the great bell of Vilnius Cathedral? Have you heard in which German city you can find more than one Lithuanian Vytis (the symbol of the mounted armoured knight holding a sword and shield)? Walking along this route, you might see the works of one of the greatest architects of the late Baroque period in Vilnius with different eyes. You will learn why the house where the architect Johann Christopher Glaubitz lived was called Satan’s House. You will learn about the priceless document Professor Liudas Mažylis found in the Berlin archives. During the tour, you will hear what medieval signs can be found in today’s Vokiečių Street (German Street) as sung by the hip hop/rap group ‘G&G Sindikatas’. You will also find out why Lithuanians transported salted ox to Constance in the 15th century. This route reveals just a few traces of German culture in Vilnius. New knowledge and discoveries will encourage you to look at Vilnius itself from a different angle and to go deeper into the historical and cultural links between Lithuania and Germany.
