Vilnius is the most beautiful city in the world
Vilnius is undergoing a transformation, becoming a meeting place for multilingual and multicultural individuals. These city guests, enthusiastically using modern technologies and enjoying the daily life of Vilnius, provoke thoughts about their relationship with the city and its historical and cultural significance. I wonder what attracts them to this city, which, despite the changing weather, remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world in my eyes. Vilnius, rich in historical and cultural objects, silently conveys its long history.
Recently, a new highlight appeared in Vilnius – a monument to the Lithuanian hound, symbolizing our past and the hunting traditions of the Grand Dukes. This shows how the city respects its history and traditions. Bernardinai Garden, rejuvenated and full of life, becomes a place of rest for both the city’s residents and its visitors. Although initially introduced hastily and not fully completed, the garden now reflects the spirit of the city and is a place where one can relax and enjoy the beauty. Vilnius’ history, associated with the Bernardinai Monastery, reveals the city’s spiritual and cultural life enriched by various epochs. Legends and facts intertwine, such as the story of Napoleon’s fascination with St. Anne’s Church or the history of the Bernardinai Monastery, revealing the city’s social and cultural identity.
Incorporating religious and cultural heritage, stands out with its baroque architecture, for which Jonas Kristupas Glaubitz contributed to shaping the city’s face, working with various confessions. Meanwhile, the city’s defensive wall, built on the initiative of the townspeople, testifies to the community’s solidarity and desire to protect their city from external threats.
Stories about St. Theresa’s Church and its ceiling paintings, known as the “Bible for the Illiterate,” reveal how art and religion help the community better understand their faith and history. This church heritage, along with the contribution of the Pac family to its foundation, shows a deep connection between the city’s spirituality and culture.
City legends, such as the one about Gediminas’ dream or Napoleon’s admiration for St. Anne’s Church, reflect the richness of Vilnius’ narrative and historical heritage. These legends, along with true historical events like the stories of the Bonifratres and the Holy Trinity churches, which mention the city’s first martyrs, testify to the city’s religious and cultural diversity.
The beauty and uniqueness of Vilnius, as well as its residents’ attachment to the city regardless of weather conditions or season, highlight its distinctiveness as a place of cultural and historical importance. Located between the East and the West, with one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe, the city is a living museum of culture and history under the open sky, continuing its story even today.