Discover Medieval Vilnius Old Town:
A Postcard Perfect City

Story and photos by John L Watson

Travelling and discovering new places has always been my passion. I find travelling truly rewarding - you are always exposed to new sites and exciting adventures, meeting new people and learn something about their culture first hand. By the year of 2003 I have covered most of the western European countries but the eastern part was left undiscovered.

I learned about Lithuania for the first time from my friend who had just arrived back from his vacation in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. He was full of pleasant impressions and affectionately described it as "a chocolate box city of three-storey baroque buildings". At that time I didn’t know anything about the country, except that Lithuania is one of the Baltic States, which heroically gained its independence back from the former Soviet block in 1991.

I was looking for my next holiday destination and instead of returning back to my favourite places I decided to give Vilnius a go, which sounded just as charming and romantic. I was also looking for something new, a refreshing break from some of Europe’s mass tourism destinations. In a couple of weeks I flew to Vilnius.

My first impression of the town was pretty, homely and somehow unpretentiously elegant. It isn’t exactly for those who are looking for a big turbulent metropolis city, which it isn’t. Vilnius’ charm lies in its medieval roots. Vilnius Old Town is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Eastern Europe and because of its numerous historic buildings it is classified as a World Heritage site.

According to the history, in the Middle Ages Vilnius was a blossoming city and one of the largest in Eastern Europe. The city was built during different centuries, therefore you will find a blend of architecture with baroque and gothic dominating. The whitewashed Vilnius Cathedral and its belfry, medieval defence fortress, the intricate Gothic Church of St. Anne’s, to name just a few, creates a postcard-perfect town.

I found Vilnius Old Town undoubtedly the most charming part of the city. Quaint shops and cosy cafes set amongst a blend of intricate spires, domes and towers are some of the first images that come to my mind. I especially loved exploring the atmospheric lanes of the back streets, where you can absorb the true spirit of medieval Lithuania.

I also loved its charming restaurants and cafes tucked away in the pretty courtyards. Some of the restaurants are set in the old atmospheric cellars and carry medieval deco themes. The food is usually of a high quality and well presented and is inexpensive for most European travellers. Overall the city provides high standard restaurants, hotels and entertainment, yet everything here is affordable at low prices in comparison with Western European countries, which makes Vilnius even more appealing.

And last but definitely not the least, the laid back atmosphere and the welcoming attitude of the locals make the city even more pleasant. Especially in the warm season the people of Vilnius love to spend as much time as possible outdoors strolling along the Old Town streets and sit at the lovely pavement cafes. Most of them are welcoming and friendly to foreigners. Especially younger people with the majority speaking English will gladly assist you with directions, help you if you are lost and sometimes even recommend to you the best places in town.

All in all Vilnius is a charming place to experience some living history, wandering among the medieval cobblestone streets; enjoy its diverse dining scene and elegant bars and also get to know its welcoming people. The city is a refreshing, not fully discovered yet and memorable destination.

John Watson is the publisher of a website called Welcome To Lithuania

(http://www.welcome-to-lithuania.com/vilnius-old-town.html)

He and his wife share their travelling experiences in Vilnius and Lithuania, recommending accommodation, best restaurants, major attractions, bars and other useful travelling tips.