Excursion tour in Vilnius. Top architecture - monuments, castles, temples and palaces

» The church is named after the Blessed Mother of the Virgin Mary. It was first mentioned in the historical chronicles in 1394.
» The exterior walls are plastered with red clay, which gives an impression that you see bricks of different shapes. Such an architectural style is called “Flamboyant”.
» You can see a stigma on one of the walls but no one has deciphered these signs.
» The length and width of the small rectangular building are 22 m and 10 m correspondingly. The facade is divided into 3 parts. The symmetry of the building is represented by equally tall elegant towers.
» Rectangles with crossing lines stretch from the ledge and create a rope ornament. Their edges depict a hammered vane, a cross and the Sun. There are only eight long lancet windows on the side thin walls. The ceiling is upheld by decorative crescent lance-shaped stone towers.
» The interior is quite modest: light walls without paintings, several icons, and the altar with a wooden cross.
» Napoleon’s Army burnt the wooden utensils during their attack. Although, the Emperor dreamed of “transporting the church to Paris on his palms”.

» The octagonal high guard tower on top of the mountain is the only construction that remains of the castle built by Lithuanian King Gediminas and serving as a strong defensive construction. According to some sources, there were buildings already in the 13th century.
» In the late 18th century, the castle lost its strategic significance and started to deteriorate. Today, Gediminas’ Tower is a big three-floor building of rough natural stone and red brick with loopholes.
» It houses exhibits depicting Vilnius, armors, and archeological artifacts. You can also see models of castles and fortresses of the old times here.
» There is an observation platform upstairs, to which the ladder of 78 steps embedded in the wall leads.
» The colorful Lithuanian flag was first installed on the roof in 1919 as a state symbol. There is a good cafe.
» The urban services deforested plants around the tower. The mountain slid and could cause the destruction of the tower. Trees were planted on the hills.
» Every year, 150 thousand tourists visit the old tower to see the monument of medieval architecture and the symbol of the city.

» The commander of the Lithuanian troop bequeathed to bury him under the threshold of the church. He built it at his own expense. The construction began in 1668.
» 100 years later, the gravestone was struck by lightning. Then, the Hetman was buried in accordance with the Christian tradition. The ledger was cemented in one of the church stones.
» Italian masters building the church added a pleasing view to the interior by placing over 2 thousand gypsum statues. The white color dominates and provides a sense of the huge space.
» The altar image of the 18 century is special. The painting depicts terrible scenes of the plague. The sculpture of the Death and St. Christopher stands out among other sculptures.
» The big prolonged crystal chandelier is made of fancy metal items. Convex massive bas-reliefs resemble elephants’ heads.
» The church has the shape of the Latin cross. The facade is framed with two towers. The temple resembles a medieval castle with its exterior. Round columns are bulky from below and crowned with patterned molding from above. There is a dome with a lantern above the main entrance.
» The church was named after saint followers of Christ's teachings, Peter and Paul.

» Christianity was adopted in 1387. The palace was built in commemoration of this event.
» A few centuries after, the garden that is notable for diverse flora was planted here.
» At different times, eminent nobles stayed here. There is a preserved engraving of the 19th century depicting the memorable defeat of Napoleon’s army.
» The exterior of the Presidential Palace in the Empire style demonstrates the value of nationhood and power.
» The rooms on the ground floor are well equipped. With it, the architectural style of late classicism has been preserved, as the furniture is primarily of red color.
» The interior of main halls was restored according to the archival data. Historical pieces of furniture have been preserved. The second level of the western part was rebuilt.
» At the weekend, the rite of changing the state flag is held by the honor guard. Soldiers of the patrol wear medieval armors.
» In 1997, the President moved to the new palace.
» The palace is divided into halls: Conference Hall, White Hall for official meetings, Blue Hall for personal meetings, Green Hall for the President and his assistants’ meetings, and the Presidential Room for general meetings.