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Plenty of people probably know world – famous story about charitable animated character Doctor Ouch- Hurts, who wasn’t afraid of danger and decided to go to Africa due to the diseased animals. Doctor Tsemakh Shabad, who lived in Vilnius, is a prototype of this fairy- tale personage. Tsemakh Shabad (1864–1935) was a Jewish doctor, social and political activist. Since 1919 till dead doctor was Vilnius city’s council member, also he participated in litvakai organization activities, worked at the jewish hospital and Mishmeres Khoilym community‘s hospital. Tsemakh Shabad was well – known person not only in the Lithuania, but was prominet and behind Vilnius bounds. Doctor communicated with that period Europe intellectuals such as Albert Einstein, Antanas Smetona, was known with one of the Jo`zef Pilsudski brothers. Before 11 years there was built a monument, created by Romualdas Kvintas. |
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Jews have played a part in the history of Lithuania since the 14th century, lured to the region by tolerant Lithuanian Dukes seeking to make advancements in trade and culture. Jews first arrived as merchants, artisans, and traders, but soon evolved into an integral component of Lithuania’s national identity. The very first documents mentioning Jews in Vilnius date back as early as 1567. At that time Jews did not have the right to purchase houses in the city, they could only rent them. Jews gained the right to own buildings in Vilnius only in 1593. |
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PRESIDENTIAL PALACE – A PLACE OF NOBILITY FOR A LONG TIME Regardless of which way you come to Daukantas Square, narrow streets leading down to it broaden and merge with the square, which is dominated by classical buildings of the eighteenth – beginning of the nineteenth century: former nobleman’s houses and the current President‘s Palace. |
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The University of Vilnius – one of the oldest and most famous establishments of higher education in Eastern and Central Europe, was founded in 1579. Functioning for a long time as the only school of higher learning in Lithuania, it was a preserver of cultural and scientific traditions, and has played a significant part in the cultural life not only of Lithuania, but the neighboring countries as well. During more than four centuries of its existence, the University of Vilnius has seen periods of growth and decline, revival, and closure. The University is a unique witness to the history of the Lithuanian state. |
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The bas-relief “Lucky Belly” created by Romas Kvintas is always noticed by the passers-by of Vilniaus street. Travelling abroad people usually are eager to learn about local places or objects which might bring you luck or grant your wishes. Everyone prefers getting some extra luck in their lives by just following some kind of small ritual which would summon up the positive energy. So the “Lucky Belly” is one of them. It is believed that “Lucky Belly” will bring success in business.The “Lucky Belly” is a really cheerful and a fun looking bronze sculpture of a belly, which is 40 cm long. People say that if you rub it you will release all these magic powers that might bring you luck. Even if you don’t believe in miracles like that – touch the sculpture – the least you’ll get afterwards is a sincere smile. The belly does have a great sense of humour to win against any negativity. |
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The research findings of the last 20 years show that in the area where the palace once stood, between the Cathedral and the Upper Castle, there were already people living in wooden buildings in the 6th-8th centuries. Over time the settlement became a castle. From the second half of the 13th century, brick construction was begun in this area. Some researchers argue that this was done during the reign of King Mindaugas. Especially many brick buildings were built during the reigns of the Grand Dukes Vytenis and Gediminas when the Gediminid family dynasty was coming into power. |
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GEDIMINAS CASTLE It is said that Gediminas Castle was built when the Duke of Lithuania Gediminas had a prophetic dream. This small but powerful castle withstood numerous Crusader attacks. Now Vilnius is unthinkable without it, and the tower of the castle became a symbol of not only the capital city, but also of Lithuania. And it is not surprising that this red-brick building overlooking the magnificent panorama of the capital city of Lithuania is a must in the list of many tourists coming to our country. |
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In the early spring, the Three Cross Mountain was called Kreivuoju or Plikuoju. The hill on the right side of Vilnia at the confluence with Neris is raised 162 m above sea level. From the south and southwest it is surrounded by the valleys of Vilnia and Neris, from the south and east of the valley there are isolated Bekešo and Stalo mountains, from the north-east – the valley called the Valley of the Dainų. The slopes of the mountain are quite steep, at the top there is a 200 m long and 100 m wide observation spot, in the north-west part of which is now the Monument of the Three Crosses. |
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The Church of St. Anne is located in the old town, near Vilnelė river. The church of St. Anne is a masterpiece of the late Gothic period. The story goes that it was built in the end of the fourteenth century to Anna, wife of the Duke of Lithuania Vytautas the Great. However, fire destroyed the wooden structure of the church, but it have been rebuilt of bricks, between 1495 and 1500. New-built church was not wooden, it was brick-built. Composed of 33 different styles of brick assembled into a delicate and intricate whole, the effect is simply quite stunning. St. Anne’s Church reveals a wide range of art forms subtly gathered in one place by the best artists of the time. The Church exterior and interior is dominated by the Gothic style, but the altars inside have a baroque touch. Graceful towers convey an architectural idea of the Gothic – approaching the God. |
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The Constitution of the Republic of Užupis Užupis is one of the oldest districts of Vilnius. Užupis used to be a suburb for the poor, which the residents had been trying to overcome for a long time, overwhelming artists started to make Užupis a true republic of artists with their government, hymn, traditions, holidays and the Constitution. On the wall of Paupio street, a basic set of laws of the Užupis Constitution has been translated into 26 languages, including Samogitian, Latvian, Georgian, Romanian, and others. Translations are increasing. To the right of the Constitution, there is the flag of the Republic of Užupis – the palm of the hand, symbolizing openness and tolerance, a hole in the palm means that living in Užupis people can live, love, work, but it is impossible to have. |
JEWISH GHETTO
