april-2012

[ A DAY IN VILNIUS ]
the Lower Castle, the Royal Palace. Built
in the 15th Century and formerly the
residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania,
it was painstakingly reconstructed with
renaissance and baroque architecture, and
officially reopened in 2009. Its coconutwhite
façade adds character to the
eastern perimeter of Cathedral Square.
The spiritual, if not geographical, heart of
Vilnius, this pretty quadrangle is always
a riot of activity and colour, with a host
of fêtes, parades and other celebrations,
such as the Skamba Skamba Kankliai Folk
Festival, which takes over the Old Town’s
squares and streets in May.
Just off Cathedral Square, you’ll find
another of the city’s most remarkable
attractions: the neo-classical cathedral
with its accompanying 57m-high medieval
tower, a picture-perfect Vilnius landmark.
“St Casimir’s Chapel inside the cathedral
is miraculous,” says Migle. “Its ivorywhite
sculptures seem to jump right out
ABOVE: THE DISTINCTIVE GEDIMINAS TOWER IS AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL OF VILNIUS
BELOW: THE NEO-CLASSICAL CATHEDRAL AND BELL TOWER
24 WIZZ MAGAZINE // APRIL/MAY 2012
“I LOVE THE OLD
TOWN, IT’S FULL OF
HISTORY AND THE
BUILDINGS ARE
LITERALLY
STUNNING”
– JANA (LEFT)
THE ANGEL OF UŽUPIS
STATUE WAS UNVEILED
EXACTLY 10 YEARS AGO,
AND IS INTENDED TO
SYMBOLISE A REVIVAL
OF THE ARTY AND
BOHEMIAN OLD TOWN