Lithuania – a country in Europe, the capital of Vilnius. The population is 2,903,000 (2015.), The area of 65 200 km2.
Lithuania bordering the Baltic Sea to the west, in the north it borders with Latvia, in the south-east – with Belarus, in the south-west – c Poland and Russia (Kaliningrad region).
There are many rivers and lakes, the largest rivers – Neman (Nemunas) and Neris, the biggest lakes – Druksiai Tauragnas and Asveja.
Major cities of Lithuania: Siauliai, Panevezys, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Alytus, Marijampole. Currency – Euro.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Attractions in Lithuania. Church of Saints Peter and Paul – the parish church in Vilnius; one of the most visited sites in Lithuania. Often the church is called the “pearl” of the Lithuanian Baroque.
Presumably at the place where today stands the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, it was once a pagan temple of the goddess of love Milda. To replace him in the XIV century, during the reign of Prince Jagiello, a wooden church was built, which soon burned. The founder of this building was an influential Lithuanian magnate and prominent hetman Michael Casimir Pac.
In the second half of the XVII century, he ordered the construction of the temple architect from Krakow. Interior trim was entrusted to the Italian masters. Paс did not live to see the completion of the construction. In his honor, the Lithuanian monks erected a monument in the church. Also, in the temple kept tombstone of hetman.
Above the entrance to the church you can see the inscription in Latin – an appeal to Our Lady asking for the world. Particular attention should be paid to the interior of this architectural masterpiece. Such beauty is rarely found in the temples. There are hundreds of allegorical and mythological figures, biblical characters, historical events, prisoners in stucco, and other paintings.
All moldings made of pure white marble – stucco. In 1700, in the church there was a wooden figure of Jesus Christ, donated by the Pope. This figure is especially honored by parishioners, as it has miraculous healing powers. Above the altar of the Virgin Mary can be seen now in 1710, depicting a plague epidemic and the miraculous deliverance from it.
This Roman Catholic church services are held regularly in Lithuanian and Polish. Entrance is always free, so it is always crowded. Geographically landmark located on Antakalnio Gatva street. You can get there by bus 2-4, 14, 17. The church is open daily from 10 am.
Church of St. Anne
Church of St. Anne – Gothic cathedral in Vilnius; One of the main attractions of Lithuania. It is not the biggest church in the city, but its beauty it overshadows all other church buildings.
This Roman Catholic church was built on the site of its wooden counterpart at the end of the XV century. Construction took place under the patronage of the Lithuanian prince Alexander. Its present appearance he gained thanks to Nicholas Radziwill, who rebuilt and fortified building after a fire in 1564.
The uniqueness of the cathedral is that it is built from 33 different forms of bricks. Especially valuable its façade, which is unparalleled in the whole Eastern European Gothic architecture. It is distinguished by an extraordinary variety of lines and shapes. pediment composition in itself is a masterpiece.
More recently, the church was separated from the street Maironio. From the vibration of transport, within the walls of cracks. special interest interior of the church is not. Wealth and luxury no. In the northern part of the building there is a vestry and a gallery built in the early XVII century. It is through them the church is connected to the home of Bernardine.
Opposite the church is divided a small square, where people can lie on the grass or simply stroll in the daytime. On St. Anne’s Church is a legend that Napoleon was so dazzled by the beauty of its architecture, which wanted to put the temple to his hand and take with them to Paris.
On weekdays, visitors can go on a guided tour. Entrance to the church is free, but for a guided tour is a separate fee. Geographically attraction is located in the Old Town of Vilnius. Nearby is a bus stop – Vilnius Art Academy (Dailės Akademija).
Trakai Castle
Attractions in Lithuania. Trakai Castle – Gothic medieval castle in Trakai, Lithuania, served as the residence of Lithuanian princes. It is the largest ancient castle in the country, which today houses the history museum.
Trakai Castle has long been a tourist attraction, thanks to the huge museum exhibition, picturesque location and rich history. It is the only water castle within Europe, which is so well preserved from the XIV century. According to legend, a place for the construction of the stone castle itself chose Duke Gediminas.
It is so pleased him that he decided to move to the capital of the Principality. It is in this castle was born the grandson of the famous Gediminas – Grand Duke Vytautas. By the end of the XIV century, the castle was destroyed, and the land handed over to the Benedictines for the construction of the monastery.
New Troki island castle was built in 1409-1410 gg. It was the largest structure Duchy of Lithuania and one of the most powerful fortresses in Eastern Europe. After the defeat of the Teutonic Order castle lost its strategic importance and was converted into a palace for the magnificent feasts. In it there were the most prominent guests from all over Europe.
After the death of Vytautas the castle fell into disrepair and lost its former power. Not the least role in this played by the remoteness of the island of important trade routes. In a certain period of Trakai Castle was used as a prison for nobles objectionable. Over the years, the walls of abandoned buildings were destroyed, and only at the end of the XIX century began to be undertaken attempts at restoration.
By the middle of the XX century the castle, finally found his lost form. Today it is the current museum, where you can learn a lot about the history of Trakai. And also, in the western part of the fortress there are halls with archaeological finds, a collection of applied art and hunting trophies.
Getting to Trakai Castle can be reached to Trakai from Vilnius by bus, train or private car. Distance between cities – about 27 km. From Vilnius station intercity buses depart regularly towards Trakai, and from the train station – a comfortable train. The castle can be reached on foot within 15 minutes.
The Hill of Crosses
The Hill of Crosses – the mysterious hill near the city of Siauliai; one of the most visited sites in Lithuania. The mountain is located in the middle of the field and completely crowded with Christian crosses, the number of which exceeds 50 thousand today.
Hill of Crosses is considered sacred not only Lithuanian but also a place of pilgrimage. Having been on tourists say it sacred energy of the hill. Tens of thousands of crosses of different sizes and different materials filled mountain. Here there are also wooden crosses several meters high, and the usual body-worn metal crosses with the crucifixion.
Not far from the mountain is a souvenir shop where you can buy a cross for himself and his family. Also, anyone can put your cross on a mountain sacred to him in his life lucky. Next to the gift shop has a resource center for tourists and shop amber products.
It is believed that before the baptism of Lithuania there was a pagan temple, which came to worship for many centuries. It indulged tradition from generation to generation since the mid XIX century, this place became a place of pilgrimage for Christians of different denominations.
If the first on the mountain was only a few crucifixes, then to the middle of XX century crosses were thousands. Over time, there were well-trodden tourist trails. Eyewitnesses claim that this attraction is best to visit on a clear and sunny day.
From Siauliai to a place of pilgrimage for buses, next to Joniskis. Many people prefer to travel to the mountains by car on the A12 highway. After all, from the city to the mysterious hill just 12 km away.
Curonian Spit
Curonian Spit – a sandy spit along the Curonian Lagoon, which separates the Gulf of freshwater from salty Baltic Sea. Curonian Spit belongs to two states – Russia (Kaliningrad region) and Lithuania. For tourists, this area is particularly attractive, because of the diversity of natural scenery.
Scientists call this narrow strip of “museum of natural areas.” And for good reason. The Curonian Spit is a unique and that that small piece of land will fit several natural areas. Here and birch forests, and sandy deserts, and tundra, and pine forest. The most important element in the landscape of the spit is a continuous strip of white sand dunes.
On the territory of the protected park from Russia there are three village, the central of which is n. Fishing. Rural population – about 1,500 people. The total length of the Curonian Spit – 98 km, and in some places reaches a width of 4 km. The size and diversity of landscapes, this area is unique in Europe.
On the Lithuanian part of the Spit has several resort towns. All of them are surrounded by greenery and picturesque Lithuanian settlements retain the XIX century, where the fishermen lived. There are wooden houses have thatched and painted in the colors of the area. They are surrounded by rich forests and endless sand dunes.
Most often stop in Nida and Juodkrantė. Here, private traders offer you live in a neat vintage cottages, converted into a hotel, go to pubs or restaurants with a folk decoration. In them you can taste the delicacies of Baltic cuisine. For the convenience of the tourists in the green arrays conducted convenient footpaths with signposts, maps and informational signs that visitors do not get lost and feel great. There are special toilets for people with disabilities. The whole resort is a resource maintained in perfect purity that allowed the Lithuanian beaches receive honorary “Blue Flag” – a certificate that guarantees environmental friendliness and safety of the territory.
The favorable climate from May to October lets you relax on the Curonian Spit. The depth of water is small (about 4 m), which allows even warm fresh water. Resort cities become places of jazz festivals, sailing regattas, the holiday of ancient crafts and other holidays. In the woods, you can walk on the wild berries and mushrooms, the bay boating. Fishermen will find excellent fishing spots.
For those interested in the history of these places, at the 14th km of the spit opened museum complex. In the Curonian Spit and the surrounding towns are regular buses. It can be reached from Zelenogradsk, Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad, Klaipeda and Vilnius. The entrance to the private car for an additional fee.
