Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has Europe's largest baroque Old Town and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city amazed us with its architecture, cobblestone streets, charming courtyards, and an artistic atmosphere everywhere.
However, we considered ourselves fortunate to happen upon a truly beautiful moment, a group of nuns praying and singing in front of the Gate of Dawn, an important pilgrimage site. The adjacent Chapel in the Gate of Dawn contains an icon of The Blessed Virgin Mother of Mercy, which is said to have miraculous powers.
Gediminas Hill is where Vilnius was founded, and the remains of Gediminas Castle date from the 13th century.
We watched a stirring documentary about the Baltic Way, a peaceful demonstration in 1989 in protest against Soviet occupation.
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Approximately two million people joined hands, forming a 430-mile human chain through the capitals of the three Baltic countries.
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After a pizza lunch at Divino Trattoria, we toured the city with guide Jurate of Yellow Suitcase Walking Tours. We learned so much about the history and culture of Vilnius, including the somewhat quirky story behind the Užupis Republic.
Tiles on Literatu Street Wall (above) and mural art on buildings added to the artistic vibe throughout the city.
Vilnius is a city with numerous churches, built in a variety of architectural styles; there are 28 in Old Town.
We loved wandering the Old Town; there were new discoveries around every corner.
On our last evening in Vilnius, we found (or almost didn't find...just a few wrong turns) Šnekutis, a restaurant featuring local dishes. We wanted to have some more cepelinai, and try saltibarksciai (cold beetroot soup). Despite the unique color, the soup was delicious, and so were the dumplings! The restaurant had a huge TV screen and a basketball game was on. Lithuanians love their basketball! The crowd was lively and enthusiastic, and we enjoyed our food in the rustic, cozy setting.