Saturday 25 September 2021 • Promotional Content
Overseas travel Te Travel Guide 27 Vilnius – amazing wherever you think it is Lithuania’s capital is one of Europe’s most amazing hidden gems
Vilnius’s UNESCO-listed Old Town PHOTOGRAPH: GABRIEL KHITERER A
sk people where Vilnius is and many won’t be able to point it out on a map. However, once
they come for a visit, the city and its people quickly prove that this is an amazing destination — wherever it is. Vilnius is marking its 700th anni-
versary in 2023 and is eager to invite visitors on an adventure around the historic city. From dinner with a view in its iconic TV Tower to operating a portal to another city and hearing the clock strike midnight in a former prison, a visit to Vilnius promises an exciting mix of contemporary culture and a glimpse into the past seven centuries the culture is built upon.
Turning 700 years young Vilnius’s UNESCO-listed Old Town offers picture-perfect scenes and outstanding universal value. Most of its original architecture is preserved, including stunning examples of gothic, renaissance, baroque and classical styles, all coexisting in a
medieval layout that’s both green and lively. As the city prepares for its 700-year anniversary,
it’s ready
to prove it’s still young at heart by mixing a variety of tempting events with golden opportunities to explore its treasured history.
Party in a former prison? Why not! One of this year’s hit attractions is housed in the former Lukiškés Prison, which recently served as the back- drop for the fourth season of Netflix’s Stranger Tings. Since being decom- missioned as a prison, the centu- ry-old building complex has found new life as Lukiškés Prison 2.0 — an arts and culture centre that some 250 artists have taken residence in, and a hub for concerts, festivals, exhibi- tions and tours. Te daytime tour explores the prison’s history, archi- tecture and the daily life of inmates, while the torchlight-guided night- time tour offers a peak into the site’s lesser-seen side.
“A visit to Vilnius promises an exciting mix of contemporary culture and a glimpse into the past seven centuries the culture is built upon”
Portal to another city In a display of its innovative spirit, Vilnius has teamed up with Lublin, Poland to build the world’s first tele- portation device, right next
The PORTAL PHOTOGRAPH: VILNIUS TECH to the
train station. While the world is yet to open fully, the Portal lets residents and visitors of both cities interact with one another in real time. Te installation’s sci-fi design alludes to its purpose as a digital bridge that can unite people amid times of physical separation, and brings both cities to an amazing futuristic world.
Dining above the clouds Te capital’s varied urban landscape beckons visitors to admire it from high above. An unmistakeable piece of Vilnius’s skyline, and the coun- try’s tallest building, the 1,070ft-tall TV Tower has long been a favourite among fine dining connoisseurs and adrenaline junkies. Visitors come for the breathtaking views of the city from the tower’s restaurant, which stands 590ft above the ground.
Lukiskes Prison PHOTOGRAPH: LUNATIKAI
Witness the rebirth of an iconic European Christmas tree Te city’s Christmas tree has been named the most beautiful in Europe more than once in recent years, and its lighting is a huge celebration for
Vilnius’s Christmas tree PHOTOGRAPH: SAULIUS ZIURA
residents and visitors. Planned to take place on 27 November this year, the event will mark the opening of the holiday season in Vilnius, which always delivers a postcard-worthy Christmas atmosphere, complete
with snowy panoramas, ice skating and cosy Christmas markets.
To find out where Vilnius is, visit
whereisvilnius.com
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