april-2012

[ A DAY IN VILNIUS ]
ILLUSTRATION MAGGIE LI
22 WIZZ MAGAZINE // APRIL/MAY 2012
BEST DAY EVER
VILNIUS
The Lithuanian capital is a vibrant mix
of medieval and modern. Here’s how you
cram a few centuries into a single day
MORNING
The best way to kickstart the day? Head to the
top of the hexagonal, red-brick Gediminas
Tower. “It means a lot to us,” explains tour
guide Migle Mikulenaite. “The tower is one of
main symbols of the town and our nation. It’s
the only remaining part of the Upper Castle.”
Perched on the edge of a majestic Old Town,
this is where Gediminas, the Grand Duke of
Words Xav Judd Photography Tim E. White
Lithuania, had his legendary prophetic dream.
In it, he saw an iron-clad wolf howling at the
moon. After consultation with his priests, the
early 14th-century Grand Duke declared it a
good omen, and ordered the building of a fort
at this site. From these beginnings, the area
grew into a city of half a million people.
A short walk down the leafy hill (or ride
on the funicular) and you’ll reach part of