Cathedral Square, Vilnius

Coordinates: 54°41′07″N 25°17′15″E / 54.68528°N 25.28750°E / 54.68528; 25.28750
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Cathedral and its bell tower

The Cathedral Square in

symbols of Lithuania
.

Details

Pre-war view of the square
Vilnius Cathedral Square in winter
Royal Palace
is being reconstructed. So the view is somewhat outdated.
Vilnius Cathedral Square at night

The cathedral square was founded as late as 19th century, during the reconstruction and refurbishment of the cathedral. Previously, the area was densely populated and built up with medieval and renaissance houses. Parts of the area were also occupied by the Lower Castle. Following the creation of a new square it became the main open space of the city's centre. It was there that the Russian

St. Casimir's Fair was moved to the Łukiszki Square (Lukiškės Square). In modern times, fairs and festivities are regularly held at the site. It is there that the tallest Christmas tree in the city is erected, as well as a number of other Christmas decorations, including outdoor nativity scenes.[1] It is also there that the yearly public celebrations of New Year's Eve
are held.

One of the most distinctive features of the square is the cathedral's

city walls of the mediaeval Lower Castle
that once stood near the modern square. According to another version, not supported by modern historians, the base of the tower was in fact a small pagan temple, demolished and then turned into the bell tower. Regardless of its origins, the lower parts of the tower are mediaeval, with several small loop-holes preserved. Its oldest underground square section was built in the 13th century on the bottom of the old riverbed. Upper parts of the tower were added in the 18th century while the neo-classical finish was added in the 19th century, during the reconstruction of the cathedral.

Gediminas's Bell Tower in a summer's evening.
The "Magical Stone." The letters form a word stebuklas (using only one letter for the first and the last S) or a miracle in Lithuanian.

Another notable feature of the square is the monument to

Baltic States
. It is said that if a person steps on this stone and turns around three times, his or her wish will be granted.

The paving of the square was extensively renovated in 2000. The new tiles were made of light granite. Excavated remains of former fortifications of the Lower Castle have been highlighted in the paving by using red-coloured granite.

References

  1. ^ "Photographs of Vilnius, December 2016". Independent Travellers. independent-travellers.com. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  2. ISBN 83-85067-02-7
    .

Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cathedral Square in Vilnius.

54°41′07″N 25°17′15″E / 54.68528°N 25.28750°E / 54.68528; 25.28750

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