Gediminas Tower, Vilnius (must see)
Gediminas Tower is one of Vilnius鈥� most iconic landmarks, visible from many points across the city. The tower appears on old Lithuanian currency and is celebrated in folk songs and poems. It stands on the site of the Upper Castle, a fortress that originally existed as a wooden structure in the 14th century. According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas dreamed of an iron wolf howling atop the hill, interpreted as a sign that a great city would rise there鈥擵ilnius.
The first brick castle was completed in 1409 by Gediminas鈥� grandson, Grand Duke Vytautas the Great. Today, Gediminas Tower is the only visible remnant of the original castle, though archaeological remains of the fortifications can still be found on the hill. The tower served multiple purposes over the centuries, including housing Vilnius鈥� first telegraph station in 1838.
The top floors of the tower had been dismantled during the 19th century under Russian rule, and the current three-story tower was rebuilt in the 20th century, with Polish architect Jan Borowski overseeing restoration work during the interwar period.
Gediminas Tower is now part of the National Museum of Lithuania. The museum showcases Vilnius鈥� rich history, the heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and archaeological discoveries from the Upper Castle site. Exhibits highlight the 1863鈥�1864 uprising, military artifacts, and Baltic jewelry. Visitors can also learn about the Baltic Way, a peaceful 1989 demonstration when two million people joined hands across the Baltic states to protest Soviet rule.
Climbing to the tower鈥檚 observation platform offers panoramic views of Vilnius, with the Old Town, Neris River, and Gediminas Hill stretching in every direction.
The first brick castle was completed in 1409 by Gediminas鈥� grandson, Grand Duke Vytautas the Great. Today, Gediminas Tower is the only visible remnant of the original castle, though archaeological remains of the fortifications can still be found on the hill. The tower served multiple purposes over the centuries, including housing Vilnius鈥� first telegraph station in 1838.
The top floors of the tower had been dismantled during the 19th century under Russian rule, and the current three-story tower was rebuilt in the 20th century, with Polish architect Jan Borowski overseeing restoration work during the interwar period.
Gediminas Tower is now part of the National Museum of Lithuania. The museum showcases Vilnius鈥� rich history, the heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and archaeological discoveries from the Upper Castle site. Exhibits highlight the 1863鈥�1864 uprising, military artifacts, and Baltic jewelry. Visitors can also learn about the Baltic Way, a peaceful 1989 demonstration when two million people joined hands across the Baltic states to protest Soviet rule.
Climbing to the tower鈥檚 observation platform offers panoramic views of Vilnius, with the Old Town, Neris River, and Gediminas Hill stretching in every direction.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vilnius. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Gediminas Tower on Map
Sight Name: Gediminas Tower
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania
Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vilnius is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
U啪upis District Walking Tour
A tiny isolated area and a former suburb, which now forms part of the Old Town of Vilnius, the Uzupis district is often compared, for its bohemian and laissez-faire atmosphere, to Montmartre of Paris and Freetown Christiania of Copenhagen. Similarly to the latter, in 1997, the district declared itself an independent republic; the tongue-in-cheek constitution of the self-proclaimed 鈥渞epublic鈥�,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour
Legend has it that Grand Duke Gediminas dreamed of an iron wolf howling on a hill, inspiring him to found a city that would grow into today鈥檚 Vilnius. Centuries later, in 1812, when Napoleon passed through Vilnius during his Russian campaign, he reportedly described the city as 鈥渁 pearl of the north, full of charm and surprises.鈥�
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of Eastern... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of Eastern... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Historical Churches Tour
As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts a wealth of gorgeous churches featuring diverse architectural styles 鈥� Gothic, Baroque, to mention but a few. Many of the local churches are historical, having witnessed centuries of events and become iconic landmarks of the Lithuanian capital.
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles