Archives for “view” tag

Vilnius has a great number of beautiful panoramic view points. One of my favorite places to take beautiful pictures of Vilnius old town panorama is Bastion Hill – also known as Barbican Hill. From the hill you can spot red tile old town roofs, a lot of churches and bell towers, Gediminas Castle Tower, Presidential Palace.

Further on you’ll see modern city buildings situated across the Neris river and the uptown buildings situated on the outskirts of Vilnius. The way to the hill leads you through the city defense walls, which were built in 16th century, and bastion itself, which was built in the first half of the 17th century.

Nowadays the bastion is a museum, which displays weapons and armory from 15th to 19th century, old cannons, stone cannon balls, chain mails and metal helmets, swards and shields. Currently the bastion is closed to the visitors due to reconstruction.

Expectantly it should be re opened by the end of this summer. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a picturesque view of the Old Town from the Bastion hill.   

The Vilnius Television Tower (Televizijos bokštas in lithuanian) is the tallest building in Vilnius. It is 326.5 m (1071 ft) tower in the Karoliniškės microdistrict of Vilnius. I like this building because you can see it from anywhere.

It is not just a Television Tower, it became a symbol of potent Lithuania when the Soviet army wanted to control Lithuanian media. The 13th January 1991 is very important day because 13 unarmed Lithuanian civilians was killed by soviet tanks. Lithuanian independence was protected. So, these days on the ground floor of the Vilnius Television Tower is the 13th January exhibition (Sausio 13-osios ekspozicija in Lithuanian). The exhibition is free.

My favorite place in the Vilnius Television Tower is a unique restaurant in 270 metres high. The best feeling I have ever had is to have a dinner with a view to my city from the high. The menu of this restaurant is special and unique. So, I suggest to have a dinner in the Vilnius Television Tower for all, who wants to see the city in a different way.

You can’t miss the ‘Radisson Blu’ hotel once you make it to the riverside – 22 stories tall, it looks like one of those buildings that have a good panorama of the city from the top floor. This is true. Floor 22 is home to one of the more expensive cocktail bars in town – ‘Skybar’. But few people know that you can take an elevator to the top floor and enjoy the view completely free, without having to buy anything from the bar.

If you’re only after the view it’s a better idea to go in the early hours of the afternoon, because there are no people in Skybar. Go in on the ground floor and take a lift located on the left side of reception. At the top you’ll find a small foyer with windows facing both sides: the Old Town can be seen from one and Žvėrynas along with newer parts of the city from the other. Enjoy, snap your shots and you’re good to go. You can come here any time of the day, even if the bar is closed.

However, if you’re obscenely wealthy and plan on having a party in Skybar or just feel like enjoying the view comfortably seated with a few drinks, give this place a try. They advertise themselves as the best cocktail bar in town and from what I’ve tasted and heard, they aren’t lying. I like it mostly for the view – in this part of town, it can’t be beaten!

I love Vilnius Old Town streets because their plan hasn’t changed since the Medieval times. Streets are narrow, it is easy to get lost there and you can not see where they go. But these things let you find something new and see magnificent views!

Liejyklos street is my favourite one. When I go down this street I forget everything and just enjoy myself. I especially love the perspective of Three Crosses Hill from here.

The word liejykla means “foundry“. In the middle ages a big area of Vilnius old Town, including Liejyklos street, was a territory of cannon foundry and workshops for other weapons. This territory had a specific name, “Pūškarnia” (in Polish: Puszkarnia). And it was not the only cannon foundry in Vilnius. The other one was at Pūčkoriai (this name was derived from Puškarnia). So as you see, Lithuania was a very belligerent nation. But now we are very friendly and peaceful, so don’t be afraid!

There are times when you want a breather from the city and, in such cases, Pūčkoriai is my favorite place to go. As part of Pavilniai Regional Park, this place is basically just a big forest along the river Vilnia with paths and a few sights. The most impressive one is the Pūčkoriai Outcrop – 65 metres high with a splendid view of the valley below.

There is a marked tourist route which you can take and circle the surroundings visiting the site of the old watermill, the mound and sundial, among others. If you are not too enthusiastic about spending an afternoon hiking, you can walk to the Belmontas restaurant and see what it has to offer. Pūčkoriai is also a good spot for geocaching: the forest, bridges over Vilnia and remains of old bunkers make good hiding spots.

A little tricky to get to if you are not a local, I suggest you take bus number 44 from the Green Bridge and get off at the stop called “Girininkija”. As you exit the bus, walk back just a little and take the first road on your left. The road will take you downhill – look for a flight of wooden stairs on your right. Once you get up these stairs you are on the path which will take you to the viewpoint on top of the Outcrop.