Almost 700 years ago, in the 14th century, a city built on seven hills was born to the sound of a howling iron wolf; this city was destined to make the name of Lithuania known throughout the world. Vilnius is an extraordinary city because different cultures and religions have co-existed here since the Middle Ages.
While the swords of the Crusaders clanged, merchants travelled, craftsmen worked, and the capital was protected by deities living in the surrounding forests, flames flickered as sacrificial fires burned, and legends that are still told to this day were born. Even today, if you listen closely, you can hear the rustling of the centuries-old oak trees, and if you close your eyes, you might just catch a glimpse of the pagan priestesses igniting the eternal flame. The tower of the castle on the hill has withstood the twists and turns of centuries of history, and the vaults carved out beneath Vilnius have preserved the city’s extraordinary secrets.
So today, the past is alive in Vilnius: you can walk the streets of the city and get a feel for the old times, see with your own eyes what the citizens saw hundreds of years ago, experience the grandeur of the city, and gain historical wisdom. While not all the legends that are passed on by word of mouth are true, and not all the stories are factual, that’s what makes Vilnius so fascinating. Over the centuries, the city itself has become a living legend and continues to create new twists and turns. But at the heart of Vilnius, the foundation laid by the ancient rulers has remained – the city’s diverse cultures and traditions blend harmoniously. The Chief Pagan Priest Lizdeika was right – the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas, created a city that is known all over the world. And so it has been for 700 years.
We invite you to follow the traces of the history of the birth of Vilnius and discover your own legend.
What will you see/learn along the route?
- Where did the eternal flame burn?
- Who was a guest at the House of Bishops?
- On whose initiative was the first masonry Christian temple built in Vilnius?
- Where do the three holy martyrs of Vilnius rest, and what are their special/distinguishing features?
