700 years of history have left the capital with a wide range of heritage sites related to dozens of military conflicts, burial places of heroes and places of memory. Vilnius is inseparable from the history of the Freedom Struggle and the Lithuanian Army.
The route starts in the Šiaurės miestelis, which commemorates the various pages of Vilnius and Lithuania’s military history in the 19th and 20th centuries, and ends at the Rossa Cemetery, where 19th century rebels and 20th century Lithuanian soldiers are laid to rest. The sites along the route will remind you of both the recent history of our state and its origins in the Middle Ages. Here you will recall famous military leaders, see lesser-known monuments, and individual buildings will “reveal” themselves from a militaristic perspective. In addition, you will hear about the latest scientific discoveries related to the stories of the Freedom Fighters.
As you walk along the route, you will be able to remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country or city in more than one place, so you can take a candle to light at the place of eternal rest or remembrance in honour of the heroes.
The 15 sites along the route are not in chronological order. The route is more than 10 kilometres long, and part of it follows the hills and slopes typical of Vilnius’ terrain. We would therefore recommend that you dress comfortably. You can also start from the end of the route.
Organiser of the route: the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania.
Partnership: Faculty of History, Vilnius University.
Photos: Karolis Kavolėlis.
