Choose from 30 Fun Things to Do in Lithuania
Subacius Hill
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Vilnius University
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Presidential Palace
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Vilnius Cathedral (Arkikatedra Bazilika)
Vilnius Cathedral - or Arkikatedra Bazilika - can trace its history back to the 13th century when the Lithuanian King Mindaugas built the original cathedral in 1251.
Having been burnt down and rebuilt several times over the years, the cathedral’s final reconstruction is in the neoclassical style (1801) according to the design of Laurynas Gucevicius.
Under Soviet occupation, the cathedral was used as a garage and several statues were destroyed. It has undergone several restorations since that time and its elegant colonnaded façade, ornate interior and 57m-(187ft) tall belfry, continue to stand proud as a symbol of the country’s Catholic faith.
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Vilnius Cathedral is in bustling Cathedral Square, at the base of Gediminas Hill in the Old Town.
Trakai
Trakai is a historic city and lake resort 28km (17mi) west of Vilnius and is a popular day trip from the capital.
Dating back to the 13th century, Trakai was unusual in the fact that was inhabited by a number of difference nationalities simultaneously. Historically, Karaims, Tatars, Lithuanians, Russsians, Poles and Jews all lived in Trakai. Trakai Historical National Park was founded in 1991 to preserve the city as a center of Lithuanian statehood.
There are 200 lakes in the Trakai region and the town itself is surrounded by water. Originally settled by the Grand Duke Gediminas in the early 13th century (who built the Old Trakai castle, the remains of which lie under the existing 15th century monastery), Trakai passed to Gediminas’ son, who developed the town and built two additional castles.
Today, only the Island Castle remains and is the town’s main attraction, hosting the Trakai Castle Festival and a number of cultural events throughout the year.
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Trakai is 28km (17mi) Trakai is 28km (17mi) southwest of Vilnius.
National Art Gallery
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Vilnius Old Town
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St. Anne's Church
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Siauliai Hill of Crosses
The Siauliai Hill of Crosses is a center of national pilgrimage just north of the small industrial city of Siauliai.
Many thousands of crosses cover a small hill. Ranging from tiny crucifixes to enormous metal or wooden crosses, they represent the Lithuanian peoples spiritual devotion and also act memorials to the thousands who have died during the country’s many uprisings and oppressions.
The tradition of placing crosses in this spot dates back to the founding of the city of Siauliai in 1236. Despite being levelled three times by the Soviets in the 1960s and 70s, local people and pilgrims replaced the hill and once again covered it with crosses, flouting the attempts by the Soviet army and the KGB to barricade the site.
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Today the Siauliai Hill of Crosses is internationally renowned and stands as a protected and powerful symbol of Lithuanian national faith, spirit and identity. Each year it is visited by thousands of people, many of who leave their own cross. Pope John Paul II visited here and blessed the site in September 1993.
Siauliai Hill of Crosses is 16km (10mi) from the town of Siauliai (pronounced shoo-lay).