Pilies Street (Castle Street), Vilnius
Castle Street, known locally as Pilies Street, is one of the most vibrant and historic streets in Vilnius Old Town. Stretching between Cathedral Square and Town Hall Square, it has long been the beating heart of the city鈥檚 cultural life. Today, it鈥檚 alive with the rhythm of street performers, local artisans, and the hum of conversations drifting from cozy caf茅s and shops.
The street鈥檚 lively market atmosphere draws both locals and visitors. Folk artists from across Lithuania come here to sell their handmade crafts, from delicate linen clothing to gleaming amber jewelry鈥攑erfect souvenirs of a visit to Vilnius. Every March, the street bursts into color during the Kaziukas Fair, one of the city鈥檚 oldest and most beloved folk festivals, when artisans fill the street with music, crafts, and traditional treats.
Throughout the year, Castle Street is also a focal point for celebrations. It becomes a festive promenade during Christmas and Easter, as well as on March 11, the Day of the Restoration of Independence. When Lithuania鈥檚 basketball team wins a major game, joyful processions often spill down this same street, echoing with cheers and song.
Castle Street is also steeped in history. First mentioned in 1530, it is the oldest street in Vilnius, lined with an architectural mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings.
Notable landmarks on Pilies Street include the House of the Signatories, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1918, and Vilnius University's headquarters. The university occupied a quarter of the city beside Pilies Street, and its professors used to live there. The street is also home to St. John's Church, which has a beautiful Baroque pediment and offers a stunning view of Gediminas Tower.
The street鈥檚 lively market atmosphere draws both locals and visitors. Folk artists from across Lithuania come here to sell their handmade crafts, from delicate linen clothing to gleaming amber jewelry鈥攑erfect souvenirs of a visit to Vilnius. Every March, the street bursts into color during the Kaziukas Fair, one of the city鈥檚 oldest and most beloved folk festivals, when artisans fill the street with music, crafts, and traditional treats.
Throughout the year, Castle Street is also a focal point for celebrations. It becomes a festive promenade during Christmas and Easter, as well as on March 11, the Day of the Restoration of Independence. When Lithuania鈥檚 basketball team wins a major game, joyful processions often spill down this same street, echoing with cheers and song.
Castle Street is also steeped in history. First mentioned in 1530, it is the oldest street in Vilnius, lined with an architectural mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings.
Notable landmarks on Pilies Street include the House of the Signatories, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1918, and Vilnius University's headquarters. The university occupied a quarter of the city beside Pilies Street, and its professors used to live there. The street is also home to St. John's Church, which has a beautiful Baroque pediment and offers a stunning view of Gediminas Tower.
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Pilies Street (Castle Street) on Map
Sight Name: Pilies Street (Castle Street)
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