Karoliniškės

Dwellers of the ancient village of Karoliniškės took this route to Žvėryno Watermill or along the River Neris to the city (until the end of the 19th century, Žaliasis tiltas [The Green Bridge] was the only bridge crossing the Neris.) This hill reveals an amazing panorama over the city from which you can see Kalvarijos and Verkiai. That’s why this became a favourite spot for the trips and gatherings of the inhabitants of Vilnius. Somewhere on this spot once stood Karolinka’s Manor and a tavern. After WWII, a state farm plant-breeding station and orchards were established here. The apples of the these very same orchards provide joy to the residents of Karoliniškes even today. As you continue towards the second point, stop to admire the panoramic view of the city from the hill and the gardens that still remain. 

The reserve, which occupies much of the territory of Karoliniškes, was created in 1960. It is dominated by deciduous trees and intertwined with old oaks. The reserve protects erosive ragweeds and rare plants: long-headed clover, St. John’s wort, lily of the forest, large yellow foxglove, and vetch (also known as Poor Man’s Peas). Approximately 120 species of bird have been identified. Grey hares, squirrels, and beavers inhabit this area. For the convenience of Vilnius residents, cognitive hiking trails (Raguvų Troughs, Hill Crests, River Valley, Forest Fringe, Plikakalnis), cycle paths, observation areas, and information stands have been created. The route of Karoliniškės Landscape Nature Reserve can be found here.

At the end of 2021, the wall of a prominent nine-storey house in Karoliniškės will be decorated with a mural “Heartbeat of the Oceans”, painted by the renowned Spanish art team Boa Mistura. The huge works of these artists adorn buildings and streets in Spain, Germany, France, USA, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, China and elsewhere.

The 300 square metre mural is the brainchild of “Our Fish”, an international non-governmental organisation whose main goal is to restore a healthy ocean ecosystem.

The mural, featuring fish and other ocean inhabitants, reminds us that the oceans are an important organ of the Earth’s body, on which Earth’s life depends.

The bronze sculpture by Vladas Kančiauskas, built in 1988, often goes unnoticed by citizens rushing past it. The district of Karoliniškės was designed on a flat plain on a windy hill. Semi-enclosed courtyards were formed in order to reduce cross-winds. Apparently, this is why the sculptor chose to build this mythological mightyman in Karoliniškės. More artwork/sculptures by V. Kančiauskas can be found in Viršuliškės (‘Song’ and A. Sakharov bench).

This store in Karoliniškes is the only one that has not changed its name since the district’s earlier ‘cosmic’ times. ‘Rainbow’ became Rimi, ‘Saturn’ became Iki, ‘Comet’ became Norfa, while ‘Mercury’ has kept its original name. The interior of the 2nd-floor restaurant has not changed much. Towards the end of the Soviet era, a dollar store was opened on the first floor, where you could buy imported Kinder eggs and M&M’s, as well as Barbie dolls, jeans, or some VHS casettes. Most, of course, came to the store as a museum, because the prices of goods were also cosmic.

As far back as the first Karoliniškės district project, the district’s service and entertainment centres were planned in the area between Laisvės Avenue and Loreta Asanavičiūtė Street. In 1975, the premises of the ‘Mokslas’ publishing house were built; in 1976 Karoliniškės Clinic was constructed and in 1984 – the ‘Kometa’ shop (now Norfa). When the architects updated the general district plan of Karoliniškės centre in

1992, circular shapes were emphasised. The first decade of independent Lithuania was not easy, which is why only the ‘Sodra’ building that was designed by the architect Gediminas Baravykas and built from 1994-2002 emerged from the planned circular-shaped buildings. After the death of G. Baravykas in 1995, his son Jurgis Baravykas and the architect Andrius Gediminas Gudaitis took over responsibility for implementing the project. The chief constructor of the building was Vladimir Segal.

Sometimes it is ridiculed that ‘Sodra’ (Social Security) is housed in a funnel-shaped building, because it is precisely here that the social securty contributions of all of Lithuania are funnelled.

The sculpture ‘Sacrifice’ by sculptor Darius Bražiūnas and architect Artūras Asauskas was installed on 15 June, 2005, which is Occupation and Genocide Day. The 8 metre-high bronze sculpture was intended to commemorate the memory of all those who have ever fought and died for the freedom of our country. Naturally, this includes the victims of the 13th of January tragedy. ‘Telecentras’ organised a competition to design a monument, and the winner was selected by a commission of architects, sculptors, and other specialists. The project by D. Bražiūnas and A. The Asauskas was selected from 15 proposed works.

Having stretched out her arms to the sky, a woman stands on a bell bearing the words of the Lithuanian anthem: “May the sun over this land scatter all the gloom and dark; truth and light, shining bright, guide our steps forever”. There are five basic values written on the bell: Love, Truth, Honesty, Harmony, and Peace.

The construction of the TV tower, the most recognisable symbol of Karoliniškės district, began in 1974. It was designed by an architect from Moscow – Vladimir Obydov. A huge contribution was also made by K. R. Balėnas, who created the buildings and area of the complex at the foot of the tower. The construction of the tower was completed in January 1981

At 326.4 metres, this TV Tower is the tallest building in Lithuania and takes an honourable place among the world’s tallest television towers. By height, the tower currently ranks 9th in Europe and 28th in the world. Did you know that the TV tower in Vilnius is only 2 m taller than the Eiffel Tower?

Restaurant ‘Paukščių takas’ (The Milky Way) is located on the 19th floor of the tower (165 m) – yet another surviving element of the original Karoliniškės’ cosmos. On a clear day, you can even see the chimneys of the Elektrėnai power plant.

Next to the TV tower, you can see a small antenna park opened in 2011, which exhibits antennas that are now considered historic.

The horrific night of the 13th of January is commemorated by small granite obelisks around the TV tower, marking the places where the defenders of freedom died.

Vilnius and the Finnish city of Joensuu celebrated 11 years of cooperation on 10 November 2005. On that occasion, in Karoliniškės Square at the intersection of Loreta Asanavičiūtė and Vidas Maciulevičius Streets, a Finnish gift was installed – Marjo Riihelä’s 5 metre-high steel and stone ‘The Karelian Cuckoo’. The sculpture was made in Finland before being brought to Lithuania. The sculpture, which consists of a metal frame and field stones, was mounted in the square that was named after the city of Joensuu.

This pedestrian bridge would merely have been yet another yellow pedestrian bridge if Julius Žėkas (born in April 2015) hadn’t conceived of the idea of the Bridge of Ties. He attached the first ties on the bridge and left a letter explaining his plan. This bridge leads us from the city to the forest, so a person can feel the spirit of freedom by unleashing their tie, a symbol of formalism, and leave it here by tying it to the bridge.

Even though sometimes someone sneaks off with a tie, more often than not, their number keeps growing! Today the bridge has taken on a life of its own and is almost alive. Everyone can make their contribute to the unique life of this peculiar bridge, so why not bring a tie with you on your trip?!