Exploring Vilnius

It is a sunny day in Vilnius. I somewhat surprisingly woke up in the capital of Lithuania, one of those places I’ve always been curious to discover with my own eyes.

Vilnius has a lot of churches, cathedrals and ruins. It feels like I’ve explored them all today. The white tower of Kathedrale Sankt Stanislaus with the impressive sarcophagus of Saint Casimir. Walked through the darkness of the Gate of Dawn to gaze upon the miracle painting in the chapel above. Tried to count the red bricks of St Anne’s Church. Climbed up to Gediminas Tower on for an awesome view. Walked along the old crumbling city wall. Found the hidden statue of Frank Zappa.

I even did the oh-so-touristy-thing to stand on the tile marked “Stebuklas” in the main square, made a wish and turned three times.

The cathedral square features a tall belfry, the only remains of the old wall.

A strange but fun discovery was the Republic of Užupis, a self-proclaimed independent state residing inside Vilnius, which reminded me of Christiania in Copenhagen. I found the golden angel who watches over them all.

Entering the republic of Užupis.

14 kilometers later, after all this cultureness and holyness, it ain’t exactly a long shot that I soon will land my buttocks on a bench somewhere with a cold pint of local draft in my hand. How’s that for a slice of fried gold?