Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Street-by-Street: Town Hall

Square to the Gates of Dawn

Lithuania’s distinctive Baroque architecture, known as
Vilnius Baroque, can be admired in the outstanding
monuments clustered around the Church of St Casimir
and the Gates of Dawn. The enchanting collection of
towers and sculptures was built during the 17th and
18th centuries by Italian and Polish architects and their
Polish-Lithuanian noble patrons. The buildings are
elegantly designed, with symmetrical façades reflecting
an unmistakable Italian influence. Nonetheless, the regal
atmosphere, so unique to Vilnius, distinguishes this place
from similar architectural areas of other European cities.

52 NORTH EASTERN EUROPE

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp68–9

STAR SIGHTS

. Church of St Casimir
. Church of St Theresa
. Gates of Dawn

KEY

Suggested route

Contemporary Art Centre,

a Soviet-era building, is

now a venue for ground-

breaking art.

Town Hall Square
This busy square has the impressive
Town Hall as its focal point. The hall’s
bold Classical portico was designed
by the renowned Lithuanian archi-
tect, Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius 8

. Church of St Casimir
This church was the city’s
museum of atheism from
1963–91. The crown atop
the central dome symbolizes
St Casimir’s royal lineage 9

Vokiečių Gatvė

One of the city’s

oldest streets,

Vokiečių resembles

a park during the

summer, with

its outdoor cafés

and a plea sant

central tree-

lined walkway.

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Vilnius Cathedral