Lithuania: From the Port to a Village to the City

It’s my last country of this Scandinavian and Balkans tour of six countries with Intrepid Travel. We set off in the morning after breakfast in a private van for Klaipėda, Lithuania, from Riga, Latvia.

Lithuania shares land borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia to the southwest. After crossing the border into Lithuania, our first stop was the famous Hill of Crosses at Siauliai with its thousands and thousands of crosses.

From the Hill of Crosses, we continued on to the former Prussian and oldest Lithuanian city of Klaipėda. The city was first mentioned in 1252. The buildings of the old development were destroyed by fires in 1540, 1678, 1757. But the greatest damage was caused by the Great Fire of 1854. Klaipėda recovered rather quickly after the Great Fire, and in 1856 a reconstruction plan was prepared.

In modern days, Klaipėda is known for its sculptures and as the only major seaport in Lithuania.

The original plan was to stay at a family owned guesthouse but that fell thru so our group ended up staying outside of the small Old Town center and at the relatively updated Vesbons Aurora Hotel. We ended up taking taxis to get to the old town center for our orientation walk and back to the hotel. I’ve really enjoyed these orientation walks. I’m not as impressed with Klaipėda as I have been with other places during this tour, but I might chalk that one up to the fact that I was just tired and truly needed a break.

And, that’s what I ended up doing the next day. While the group made their way to the Curonian Spit National Park, the second-oldest national park in the former Soviet Union, and some bike riding, I chose to just chill in my room and have dinner at the hotel.

Even when I’m at home, I love taking a day or two to just hang out at home in my pajamas. It’s my way of decompressing. The group had a great time and so did I.

Here’s a small introduction to Lithuania by way of the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai and some of the sites in Klaipėda.

Me at the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania, where thousands of mainly wooden and metal crosses adorn this hill. The area was first mentioned in writings dating back to 1850, but many think the crosses, left by mourning relatives of the victims lost in revolts against the Russian Regime in 1831 and later in 1863, appeared even earlier. During the Soviet Union era, these crosses were removed by the authorities, but locals continuously replaced them. In 1993, Pope John Paul II prayed here, and he often mentioned the sacred site in his homilies and speeches. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania, is covered with thousands of wooden crosses. The site is a reflection of the nation’s Christian religiousness and is probably the place in Lithuania that is most often visited by pilgrims today. The Hill of Crosses gained immense significance in the lives of Lithuanian believers during the Soviet era as a sign of resistance to the totalitarian regime. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuani, is covered with thousands of wooden and metal crosses. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania is covered with thousands of wooden and metal crosses. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The outdoor chapel of the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania. In 1993, Pope John Paul II prayed at the chapel and often mentioned the sacred site in his homilies and speeches. (Aug. 5, 2022)

No matter where I am in the world, cities and towns, in this case here in the old town area of Klaipėda are doing what needs to be done to maintain and/or update the city. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Statues are oddly stationed throughout areas of Klaipėda. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Statues oddly stationed throughout areas of Klaipėda. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Heading through a row of shops and restaurants in Klaipėda in search of a place to have lunch and the national dish of Lithuania, the Cepelinai or Zeppelin, a potato dumpling. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Where we settled for lunch in Klaipėda. (Aug. 5, 2022)

I decided to try the Lithuanian national dish of Cepelinai, or Zeppelins. This potato dumpling is made from a grated potato that’s been stuffed with ground meat. Then after boiling, the Cepelinai is served with sour cream sauce, bacon bits or pork rinds. The potato was rather tasteless but I’m glad I at least tried it. And, it was rather filling. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Views of the historic Old Town center of Klaipėda. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The Amber Queen is considered the largest amber jewelry manufacturer in Lithuania. The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of amber, called Baltic amber or succinite. This Klaipėda store is one of two in the country that produces quite interesting amber jewelry and art. More on this in Vilnius. (Aug. 5, 2022)

A park area along the Dane river in the Old Town of Klaipėda’s old port. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The paddle boats along the Dane river of the old port in the Old Town area of Klaipėda with the docked Meridianas sailing ship. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The Arka Monument in Klaipėda was unveiled Aug. 8, 2003 to commemorate the 80-year anniversary of the Klaipėda Revolt that took place in January 1923 to unite the country and the 85-year anniversary of the Act of Tilsit for the unification of Lithuania. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The Klaipėda old port along the Dane river. (Aug. 8, 2022)

The Biržos Bridge is a drawbridge opened in 1879 at the Klaipėda old port along the Dane river. (Aug. 8, 2022)

The Black Ghost of Klaipėda is a bronze sculpture climbing onto the walkway out of the Dane river. Apart from the ghost’s hands, the hooded robe is empty inside, creating a strangely expressive appearance despite the lack of any facial features. So, what’s the creepy sculpture about? “Well, it’s all tied to a local legend that isn’t quite as terrifying as you would imagine. The legend dates back to 1595, when Hans von Heidi, one of the guards at Klaipėda Castle, was doing his nightly rounds near the harbor. From out of nowhere, a hooded figure appeared near the water’s edge. Rather than attack the startled guard, it asked him how the city’s supplies of grain and timber were holding out. Von Heidi informed the ghost that the city had sufficient supplies, but the ghost warned him it would not be enough. At that point, the apparition vanished.” (Aug. 5, 2022)

The port of Klaipėda serves as the port of call for cruise ships as well as freight transport and cargo loading. (Aug. 5, 2022)

The sculpture of a child near the edge of the port of Klaipėda waves his sailing hat to passing boats and ships. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Another piece of bronze art at the port of Klaipėda’s defensive mounds in the distance. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Chilling with the golden or Magic Mouse street art sculpture in Klaipėda, Lithuania. The sculpture is surrounded by a bronze band with the saying: “Convert your ideas into words – words will become magic.” (Aug. 5, 2022)

The Magic Mouse street art sculpture in Klaipėda, Lithuania. (Aug. 5, 2022)

A large outdoor chess art sculpture in Klaipėda, Lithuania. (Aug. 5, 2022)

Although the schedule for today was a visit to explore the World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park, the second-oldest national park in the former Soviet Union. The day was to include exploring a villages by bike and surrounding beaches. But, I did not go.

I decided to take a vacation from my vacation and just relax at our hotel, the Aurora in Klaipėda.

The Aurora Hotel in Klaipėda, Lithuania, where we spent two nights. (Aug. 6, 2022)

My room at the Aurora Hotel in Klaipėda, Lithuania, where we spent two nights. (Aug. 5, 2022)

It was a very early and busy day starting with a 6:30 a.m. train departure from Klaipėda to Vilnius, a 4.5 hour train ride, where we stored our luggage for a few hours while we made our way to the historic Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vilnius.

We logged in a number of miles around the Old Town’s varying architectural styles of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical as they stand side by side and complement each other.

After our Vilnius orientation walk, we had a late lunch and then caught another train at 5:40 p.m. to Ignalina where an awaiting van took us for the 20-minute drive to our guesthouse in the village countryside of Ginučiai.

Here’s a brief view into Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city.

Early morning views of the Klaipėda Railway Station, on our way to Vilnius before ending our day in the village countryside of Ginučiai. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The sculpture of a woman and her child set to travel is outside of the Klaipėda Railway Station. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Our rather sleeked contemporary train at the Klaipėda Railway Station for our 4.5 hour train ride to Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

My selfie on the early morning train from Klaipėda to Vilnius, a 4.5 hour train ride. (Aug. 7, 2022)

We arrived at the Vilnius train station. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Stuffing our luggage and other baggage into the lockers at the Vilnius train station so we can head out on an orientation walk with our Intrepid Travel leader, Gundega, of Vilnius with a delicious snack of macaroons and have a late lunch of pizza before heading to our next stop, the village of Ginučiai for the next two nights. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The southern side of the Gate of Dawn, one of the entrances into the Old Town of Vilnius, was built between 1503 and 1522 as part of the city’s defensive fortifications when it was then known as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Ten city gates previously existed, but the Gate of Dawn is the only remaining gate. (Aug. 7, 2022)

My selfie in front of the southern side of the Gate of Dawn, one of the entrances into the Old Town of Vilnius, was built between 1503 and 1522 as part of the city’s defensive fortifications. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Gate of Dawn in Vilnius revealing the Chapel of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn that contains an icon of The Blessed Virgin Mary behind the middle glass window above the archway entrance.
This is one of the most significant religious, historical and cultural monuments, in Lithuania. Built on the road to Medininkai in early 16th century and initially called the Medininkai Gate, this is the first of the initial five of ten defensive gates of Vilnius built together with the city wall, and the only one to survive till now. (Aug. 7, 2022)

A close-up of the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius revealing the Chapel of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn that contains an icon of The Blessed Virgin Mary behind the middle glass window above the archway entrance. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Church of St. Teresa in the foreground with the Gate of Dawn in the distance of the Old Town of Vilnius. The Church of St. Teresa is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of early Baroque in Vilnius. Built in 1650 according to examples of churches in Rome. However, its facade is made with Swedish sandstone along with black and white marble and granite. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Church of St. Teresa in Old Town Vilnius. It was completed in 1650. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The interior of the Church of St. Teresa in Vilnius with its Rococo high altar under a half dome. The church underwent its greatest changes after the fire of 1760. (Aug. 7, 2022)

A close-up of the Rococo altar inside the Church of St. Teresa in Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Church of St. Teresa in Vilnius has a number of mural paintings on the vaults of the nave. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Church of St. Teresa in Vilnius has a number of mural paintings on the vaults including 18 murals about the life of St. Teresa. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Walking through the Old Town of Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Basilian Gate, built in 1761, leads the way to the Vilnius Holy Trinity Church and the Basilian Monastery in Old Town Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Town Hall Square in Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Church of St. Casimir, a Roman Catholic Church in Old Town Vilnius, is the first and oldest Baroque church in Vilnius. Construction on the church began in 1604 in memory of the holy prince Saint Casimir and was completed in 1618. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The entrance to the interior of the Church of St. Casimir in Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The main altar inside the Church of St. Casimir in Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

A close-up of the main altar inside the Church of St. Casimir in Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

On April 1, 1997, a small republic of free spirits in Vilnius’ Old Town declared itself an independent Republic of Užupis, with its own constitution. This sign, at the Vilnia river and the bridge to Užupis, is written in five languages and announces Užupis as a tiny republic of free spirits. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The love locks along the bridge entering Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius that declared itself an independent Republic of Užupis, with its own constitution. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Church of the Holy Mother of God is one of the oldest and largest churches in Vilnius. Originally dating back to the middle of the 14th century, this church functions as the city’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral and owes much of its partial Neo-Byzantine design to reconstruction work completed in 1522. The Mermaid of Užupis is visible hidden in the wall on the river bank. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The border and souvenir shop across the bridge entering Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius that declared itself an independent Republic of Užupis, with its own constitution. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The street-filled art in Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius that declared itself an independent Republic of Užupis, with its own constitution. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Various pieces of art along the Vilnia River in Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius that declared itself an independent Republic of Užupis, with its own constitution. (Aug. 7, 2022)

All kinds of art can be found throughout the independent Republic of Užupis, a Vilnius neighborhood. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Tibet Square in independent Republic of Užupis, a Vilnius neighborhood. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Had to take a selfie with this sign at the entrance of a store in Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius that declared itself an independent Republic of Užupis, with its own constitution. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Angel of Užupis is a statue of an angel blowing a trumpet in the main square in Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius that declared itself an independent Republic of Užupis, with its own constitution. The sculptor, Romas Vilčiauskas, also created the Užupis Mermaid.
(Aug. 7, 2022).

A close-up of the Angel of Užupis blowing a horn announcing the revival and the artistic freedom of the Užupis district to the world. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The national flag symbol of Užupis is the Holy Hand, a blue hand with a hole in the middle, which means it is unable to accept bribes. Also along the wall is the independent Republic of Užupis’s own constitution. (Aug. 7, 2022)

A group selfie with the Užupis Constitution in the independent Republic of Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius. Some of the stipulations of the constitution are as follows: Everyone has the right to hot water, heating in winter and a tiled roof.
Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.
Everyone has the right to make mistakes.
Everyone has the right to be unique.
Everyone has the right to love.
In September 2018 the constitution was blessed by Pope Francis during his visit in Vilnius.
(Aug. 7, 2022)

Leaving the independent Republic of Užupis, a neighborhood in Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Church of St. Anne (left) and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi (right) in Vilnius. The Church of St. Anne, a Roman Catholic church in Vilnius’ Old Town was initially constructed of wood but was destroyed in a fire in 1419. The present brick church was constructed from 1495-1500. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Bernard was built between 1506-1516. The Roman Catholic Church, located next to the St. Anne’s Church, is dedicated to the Saints Francis of Assisi and Bernardino of Siena. The statue is Adam Mickiewicz Monument (1798-1855) born in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that was ruled by Russia at that time. He was a poet, essayist and political activist who is known for his influential works. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Adam Mickiewicz Monument (1798-1855) by the Church of St. Anne (left) and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi (right) in Vilnius. He was born in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that was ruled by Russia at that time. He was a poet, essayist and political activist who is known for his influential works. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The front facade (in the middle behind the arched entryway) of the Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard in Vilnius is located next to the St. Anne’s Church. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The facades of the St. Anne’s Church (left and right) and the Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard (middle) in Vilnius. (Aug. 7, 2022)

This walkway, named Literatų Street, is a narrow street open-air gallery with displays of art dedicated to writers who once lived and worked in Lithuania. In 2009, the Modern Art Center and curator Egle Vertelkaite launched an initiative to bring new life to this small Old Town street by installing an exhibition honoring writers, for whom this street is named iteratai means writers in Lithuanian! (Aug. 7, 2022)

More than artists contributed to the open-air art gallery of Literatų Street in Vilnius crafting unique dedications, like this one, to the lives of over 200 writers who in some way are associated with Vilnius or Lithuania. Each contributing visual artist chose his or her favorite writer and dedicated a small work of art in their honor. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Cathedral Square with the restored Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus, located in the Old Town of Vilnius at the Cathedral Square, is the main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania. Between 1786 and 1792 three sculptures were placed on the Cathedral roof of Saint Casimir (left), Saint Stanislaus (right) and Saint Helena in the center. Presumably the sculpture of St. Casimir symbolized Lithuania, St. Stanislaus symbolized Poland and St. Helena, holding a golden cross represents the true cross. The cathedral was first built in 1251 but the current building dates from 1783. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Inside the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus, located in the Old Town of Vilnius at the Cathedral Square, is the main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania. (Aug. 7, 2022)

A close-up of the altar inside the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus, located in the Old Town of Vilnius at the Cathedral Square.(Aug. 7, 2022)

A group feet selfie around the “Stebuklas,” which means miracle in Lithuanian in the vast Cathedral Square plaza. The stebuklas or miracle tile is most famous for its magical, wish-granting properties, but it also represents a momentous day in Lithuanian history. From August 23, 1939 until about 1991, Lithuania was considered a Republic under the Soviet Union, much to the protest of its people. The loudest day of dissent came on Aug. 23, 1989 when approximately two million people joined hands across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to make the Baltic Way, the longest unbroken human chain in history, spanning over 370 miles. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Inside the Amber Queen store in Vilnius. Amber is known as “Lithuanian gold,” and many know it for its beauty in pieces of jewelery and art. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The buses in Vilnius show their support, as does the city, for Ukraine as the country battles for its freedom again a Russian invasion. Lithuanians know about Soviet Union/Russian invasion of their country. The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were annexed by the Soviet Union and were organized as Soviet republics in August 1940. (Aug. 7, 2022)

Back at the Vilnius train station to collect our luggage and make our way to the Aukštaitija National Park for at Regina’s Guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The very humble looking interior of our 5:42 p.m. train from Vilnius for our two hour train ride to Ignalina and the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park for our home stay cabin at Regina’s Gatehouse and the village of Ginučiai. (Aug. 7, 2022)

My room at Regina’s Guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai. We arrived late in the day for our 2-night home stay. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The dining room table just outside my room at Regina’s Guesthouse on the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park in the village of Ginučiai. (Aug. 7, 2022)

We arrived late in the day for our 2-night cabin home stay at Regina’s Guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai to a delicious home made dinner starting with this delicious vegetable soup. (Aug. 7, 2022)

We arrived late in the day for our 2-night cabin home stay at Regina’s Guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai to a delicious home made dinner. (Aug. 7, 2022)

I am not much of a water person and I had no plans to participate in kayaking along the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park. The last time I kayaked was in Thailand and I actually paid someone to do the paddling while I enjoyed the ride and took photos. Well, thanks to Garry, my kind co-traveler, whom I did not pay, but who so graciously, warmly and eagerly volunteered to paddle while I did what I love to do, take photos.

Here’s my time on the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park, our home stay at Regina’s Guesthouse and the village of Ginučiai.

Getting our life jackets on and getting instructions about our kayaking through the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park starting on the short of Lake Linkmenas in the village of Ginučiai. (Aug. 8, 2022)

The 19th century watermill of the village of Ginučiai, on the shore of Lake Linkmenas in the Aukštaitija National Park, is considered a monument of engineering and one of the few mills in Lithuania that’s survived with its original mechanism. This is where we began our kayaking journey, just a few steps from our comfortable home stay cabin. (Aug. 8, 2022)

The main spirit of the village of Ginučiai is this watermill. It was known to exist as early as 1738 and has been renovated multiple times throughout the centuries as the village developed. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Garry doing all the paddling work on our kayaking adventure. I did have a paddle that I used sparingly but I pretty much enjoyed the ride along the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park from our home stay in the village of Ginučiai, Lithuania. The park has some 126 lakes lakes throughout the woods and hills. Thank you Garry for a truly wonderful day! (Aug. 8, 2022)

Views while kayaking serenely along the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park from our home stay or guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai, Lithuania. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Stopping for a moment while kayaking serenely along one of the many diverse lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park from our home stay in the village of Ginučiai, Lithuania. That’s Nina waving, Brenda, Laura and Gundega, our Intrepid leader. (Aug. 8, 2022)

The ducks along the lake’s embankment while kayaking serenely along the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park from our home stay or guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai, Lithuania. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Views while kayaking serenely along the lakes of the Aukštaitija National Park from our guesthouse or home stay in the village of Ginučiai, Lithuania. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Garry still doing all the paddling work even on the open lakes during our kayaking adventure in the Aukštaitija National Park during our home stay in the village of Ginučiai, Lithuania. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Taking a minute to explore on land with Nina, Garry, me, Gundega and Laura with views of the Aukštaitija National Park lakes. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Back at our guesthouse, Regina’s Guesthouse and home base in the village of Ginučiai, which was settled since 1554. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Back at our guesthouse, Regina’s Guesthouse and home base in the village of Ginučiai. The village has been settled since 1554. (Aug. 8, 2022)

A hearty lunch was waiting for us, after our kayak ride along the lakes, at our Regina Guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai. (Aug. 8, 2022)

After lunch I took a walk around our Regina Guesthouse to this close-by lake. The weather on this trip has really been wonderful and today was no exception. (Aug. 8, 2022)

It’s dinner time. Having these home made meals at our Regina’s Guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai. (Aug. 8, 2022)

Our time in the village of Ginučiai came to a close today and the tour too, in Vilnius. This time, instead of dropping off our luggage at the Vilnius train station locker, we walked with our luggage across the street to the Panorama Hotel, dropped off our luggage there and walked to the bus station to take the 30-minute bus ride to Trakai Island to see the Trakai Castle.

This has been quite the journey, starting in Norway and ending now in Lithuania. Six countries, countless cities, towns and villages.

Although the tour officially ends in the morning, our group spent the afternoon at Trakai Castle, returned to our hotel in Vilnius and had a group dinner before going our separate way.

Several of us, including myself have another day in Vilnius, but for now, here’s the Trakai Castle and an evening in Vilnius as this Baltic group tour comes to an end.

Saying good-bye to our home stay family in front of our Regina Guesthouse in the village of Ginučiai. From left: Sara, me, Garry, homestay hosts Laima and her mother Regina, Brenda, Laura and Nina. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Back at the train station in Ignalina where we arrived for our stay in the village of Ginučiai, but now heading back to Vilnius for an afternoon at the Trakai Castle, an ending group tour dinner and an evening stroll back to the Panorama Hotel in Vilnius. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The walkway from the bus station in Trakai to the Trakai Castle on Trakai Island on Lake Galvė. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Laura and I getting in a selfie along the bridge leading to the main Trakai Castle gatehouse on Trakai Island on Lake Galvė. It was considered a masterpiece of medieval defensive architecture, and it was the only castle built on water in Eastern Europe. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The bridge leading to the main Trakai Castle gatehouse on Trakai Island on Lake Galvė. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The main entrance Trakai Castle gatehouse on the Trakai Island of Lake Galvė. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The inner courtyard with a view of the main gatehouse entrance of the Trakai Castle constructed in the 14th century of red bricks and stone. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Entering the inner courtyard of the Trakai Castle on Trakai Island with the Ducal Palace and its keep or fortified tower to the right. The Castle astle, built in the 14th century as a residence for the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, is famous for its Gothic-style architecture and its island location on Lake Galvė, one of the deepest lakes in Lithuania. The construction of the Castle was started by Grand Duke Kęstutis of Lithuania and finished by his son Vytautas in 1409. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The inner courtyard of the Trakai Castle with a view of the Ducal Palace and its keep on the Trakai Island on Lake Galvė. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The principal construction material was so-called red Gothic bricks at the Trakai Castle on Lake Galvė. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The principal construction material was the so-called red Gothic bricks at the Trakai Castle on Lake Galvė. The castle was built in the 14th century as a residence for the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Inside the Trakai Castle is the Trakai History Museum with 16 exhibition halls containing various collections from furniture to china to hunting trophies. The castle once served as the residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The inner courtyard of the Trakai Castle with a view of the Ducal Palace and its keep on the Trakai Island on Lake Galvė. The construction of the Castle was started at the end of the 14″ century, and it was completed around 1409, under the rule of Vytautas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1392-1430). (Aug. 9, 2022)

The inner courtyard of the Trakai Castle’s Ducal Palace and its wooden stair galleries with views of the keep or fortified tower. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The medieval wooden inner courtyard door of the Trakai Castle’s Ducal Palace. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Me at the Trakai Castle with its stone castle walls. (Aug. 9, 2022)

The Trakai Castle with its stone castle walls. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Our farewell group dinner selfie on our last night as a group…minus Fred. But here is everyone. Nina, Laura, Gundega, Sara, Brenda, Garry and of course, me. (Aug. 9, 2022)

I think this sign on the window of a brewery in Old Town Vilnius speaks for itself. (Aug. 9, 2022)

An evening walk through Old Town Vilnius after our farewell group tour dinner. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Vilnius showing its support of Ukraine here at the Ukranian Square with the blue and yellow lights in the trees exemplifying the Ukranian flag. (Aug. 9, 2022)

Italian artist Francesco Camillo Giorgino was invited to take part in the Vilnius Street Art Festival and created this, his first site-specific mural incorporating the existing windows and other architectural details into the mural. (Aug. 9, 2022)

A very cool mural on the side of a building in Vilnius, just down the street from our hotel, the Panorama, of a hipster, tattooed Albert Einstein. (Aug. 9, 2022)

There was no need to get up early or rush to get somewhere, but there was still a little more of Vilnius to see before saying good-bye to Vilnius, to Lithuania and to traveling for now.

The goal for today, with Laura and Brenda, was mainly to take our time to walk to the Upper Castle area of the Vilnius Castle Complex and see the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights formerly the Soviet Union KGB headquarters while now serving as a museum telling the story of those who suffered during the Soviet Union era.

Here’s to my last full day in Vilnius on a beautiful August day.

Me on the observation platform of the Gediminas Tower in the Upper Castle area of the Vilnius Castle Complex. This summit affords a distinctive panoramic view of the city’s skyline. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The Upper Castle remains of the Vilnius Castle Complex in Vilnius. The Castle Complex evolved between the 10th and 18th centuries as one of Lithuania’s major defensive structures. It consisted of three castles: the Upper, the Lower, and the Crooked. The Crooked Castle was burned down by the Teutonic Knights in 1390 and was never rebuilt. The Lower Castle contains the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and the Vilnius Castle. (Aug. 10, 2022)

My selfie on the Gediminas Hill Funicular Railway heading towards the Upper Castle of the Vilnius Castle Complex and the remains of the Gediminas Tower. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The remains of the Gediminas Tower of the Vilnius Castle Complex of the Upper Castle. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The re-built Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, seen from the Upper Castle, is, along with the Vilnius Cathedral, the only two principal buildings of the Lower Castle that remain. The original Palace was demolished in 1801. Work on this new palace began in 2002 on the site of the original Palace and took 16 years to complete in 2018. The palace was rebuilt in Renaissance style to match the Vilnius Cathedral. (Aug. 10, 2022)

Views of Vilnius from the Upper Castle of the Vilnius Castle Complex. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The Hill of Three Crosses memorial as seen from the Upper Castle of the Vilnius Castle Complex. The memorial consists of three white reinforced concrete crosses. The hill got its name after Franciscans died as martyrs when pagans tied them to crosses and threw them down the hill. The current monument was created by architect and sculptor A. Vivulskis in 1916 and rebuilt in 1988. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The remains of the Upper Castle keep of the Vilnius Castle Complex with Laura and Brenda taking the stairs down to the Lower Castle while I took the Gediminas Hill Funicular Railway down. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The Cathedral Square, also the Lower Castle of the Vilnius Castle Complex, in with the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower, the Vilnius Cathedral and the re-built Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The re-built Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, part of the Cathedral Square and also the Lower Castle of the Vilnius Castle Complex, and the Monument to Grand Duke Gediminas. The original Palace was demolished in 1801. Work on the new palace began in 2002 on the site of the same site as the original Palace that took 16 years to complete. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Monument to the Grand Duke Gediminas, located in the Cathedral Square and also what is known as the Lower Castle of the Vilnius Castle Complex, honors the founder of Vilnius, the Grand Duke Gediminas. He was born in 1275 and became Grand Duke of Lithuania around 1315 and ruled until his death 26 years later. The bronze sculpture of Duke Gediminas accompanied by a horse facing the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower. He holds a sword in his left hand and blesses the city with his right hand. (Aug. 7, 2022)

The Vilnius Cathedral considered as one of the two Lower Castle structures of the Vilnius Castle Complex. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The statue of Saint Helena is on the exterior rooftop of the Vilnius Cathedral holding a golden cross that represents the true cross. Saint Helena and two other saints, Casimir and Stanislavsky, one on each side of her were sculpted between 1786 and 1792 by Kazimierz Jelski. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The Vilnius Cathedral and its Bell Tower in the Cathedral Square, the main square of Old Town Vilnius. (Aug. 10, 2022)

Views of the Ukranian flags draped on buildings in Vilnius. (Aug. 10, 2022)

On our walk to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, we came upon the “Three Muses”, by sculptor Stanislovas Kuzma, outside the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, in Vilnius. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The entrance to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius is in this large corner building that occupied the former Soviet Union KGB headquarters while serving now as a museum telling the story of those who suffered during the Soviet Union era. seemingly common buildings were used to persecute and torture those who were regarded as a threat to the government. Now, some of these former KGB headquarters serve as museums to tell the stories of those who suffered during this era in history. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The engraved walls on the exterior of the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius are engraved with names of the people killed inside this former Soviet Union KGB headquarters. The museum is dedicated mostly to collecting and exhibiting documents relating to the slightly more than 50-year occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union beginning in 1940. In one year, from June 1940 to June 1941, more than 30,000 people were persecuted under the first Soviet occupation. Among them:
• about 12,000 were arrested, imprisoned or killed;
• about 18,000 (including over 5,000 children) were deported;
• 700 died during the revolt of June 1941.
(Aug. 10, 2022)

A floor of the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius tells the stories of the resistance movement and deportations of the Lithuanian citizens. It includes documents, photographs, and the personal belongings of people who were sent to prison camps in Siberia. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The lower section of the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius includes cellar compartments used to keep, torture, and execute detainees. More than 1,000 prisoners were executed in this building, and most of the bodies were buried nearby. (Aug. 10, 2022)

A cell inside the he Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius. (Oct. 10, 2022)

This cell inside the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius is a tribute to the priests who suffered under the Soviets for their faith and their silent resistance. The
clergy of the Lithuanian Catholic Church was no exception to the Soviet Union’s occupation. In June 1941 alone, 47 priests and monks had been detained and imprisoned for various lengths of time and 35 were deported or sent to hard labour camps on. At the outbreak of war between Germany and the Soviet Union, the retreating Soviet Army and party activists mercilessly killed 17 innocent priests. The repressive policies were at their height between 1944 and 1953. The Soviet authorities first resorted to violence against bishops, the “intractable” Church hierarchs. A total of 364 priests were convicted. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The stairway inside the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Flights in Vilnius leading to the execution chamber. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The execution chamber inside the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Flights in Vilnius. (Aug. 10, 2022)

Walking through the Old Town of Vilnius. (Aug. 10, 2022)

Walking through the Gates of Dawn in Vilnius again but this time the chapel of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn was open and visible from below. Inside the decorated gate, from the interior archway, we could see the early 17th century Renaissance painting of Mother of Mercy, the Virgin Mary, which is said to have miraculous powers. (Aug. 10, 2022)

The Renaissance painting of the Virgin Mary in the chapel of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn is from the early 17th century above the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius. Pope John Paul Il prayed here in 1993 and Pope Francis in 2018. (Aug. 10, 2022)

And, so ends my travels for now.

2Comments

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1

Andi Cody on December 5, 2022 at 1:27 pm

Hello and thank you for sharing your trip with me. Your photos are stunning and I’m enjoying your posts very much!
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  Diana Petterson on December 5, 2022 at 11:50 pm
  
  Hi Andi! Thanks so much! I’m so happy to hear you enjoy my posts!