Man patinka Lietuva

I like Lithuania – a visitor's point of view

Tag Archives: Hill of 3 crosses


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The castle in Vilnius is always worth a visit

I’ve visited the castle several times to see its interior exhibitions as well as admire the views from the top.

Last time I went I had a quick look inside to see if there was anything new (there wasn’t but they could do with an English-speaking guide or a translated brochure). Then I wandered around outside and admired the views of the Three Crosses, the river Neris and views over the city from Gediminas’s Tower.

Again I was reminded how green this city really is. You don’t have to walk far from the city centre to find a park.

Last time I posted I remarked on how the trees on the outskirts of the castle had been removed. Presumably a nod to historical accuracy. They also removed the pantiled  roof from the building at the side of the tower, presumably for the same reason.

You can see both these features in a photo (above) I shot on one of my earlier visits in 2013.

A year later they had stripped the trees, re-turfed the hillside and removed the roofing tiles and shelter roof (See Here).

So here are my latest pictures – in no particular order – taken in and around the castle.


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Vilnius, a city like no other……..

Kindadukish's Blog - I am not a number, I am a free man (The Prisoner)

Having not had an opportunity to visit Vilnius for well over 12 months I thought I would remind myself of what the city looks like in winter, and in particular when the snow falls. It still remains my favourite city in Europe and no one will ever convince me that the White Catherdal or to give it its full title Šv. Stanislovo ir Šv. Vladislovo
arkikatedra basilica, is not simply the most beautiful building in the world.

Having made around 30 visits to the city since 2006 (usually with my business colleague Mike) I have missed the beauty of the city, the warm friendship of friends and colleagues and equally important lack of access to “kibinais” (its a Cornish pastie but the Lithuanians claim it as one of their own).

So I hope you enjoy viewing the photographs as much as I enjoyed going through the hundreds I have taken…

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Former soviet republic? Where’s the evidence?

Lithuania underwent a transformation after independence in 1991 and wanted to shake off its former soviet image.

They removed much evidence of the former soviet times but some they kept.

P1000342The statues on the green bridge in Vilnius, fine examples of socialist realism, were kept but other statuary was removed and many pieces ended up in the Grutas Park.

P1000793 P1000801The original three crosses on the hill were pulled down by the soviets and buried but new ones were made and the old ones uncovered and left there with the chains to show the world what had happened.

At the parliament building they have kept part of the barricade they set up to stop tanks entering the parliament building. There are also smaller replicas set out around the building to show the extent of the original barricade.

And not far from the statue of Grand Duke Gediminas in a corner of  the cathedral square is a stone monument celebrating 650 years of Vilnius’s role as capital of Lithuania. If you look closely you can see an oblong recess where they removed the  cyrillic script.

P1000885And while you are in the area look for the the Stebuklas or miracle tile which marks the end of the human wall that stretched from Tallinn to Vilnius in 1989. If you find it stand on it, turn clockwise three times and make a wish!P1000501


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Lithuania: the best country you’ve never been to

Continental Breakfast Travel

Lithuania is a small country that packs a big punch: an exciting history, beautiful scenery you won’t find anywhere else, and an amazing pizza chain.

How: Ryanair fly to Vilnius from Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, Stansted. Wizzair fly from Doncaster/Sheffield and Luton. Wizzair fly to Vilnius from Doncaster/Sheffield and Luton. Ryanair fly to Vilnius from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Stansted.
Where: Klaipeda Hostel, Buktu Juzes str. 4-7, Klaipeda. Hostelgate, Šv. Mikalojaus gatvė 3  Vilnius 01133.
When: I was in Lithuania from 29th April – 5th May 2011.
Weather: One day of glorious sunshine. One morning of snow. Chilly, with rain.
Intinerary: Three nights in Klaipeda (both days spent on Curonian Spit), bus to Šiauliai then bus to Vilnius (same day), three nights in Vilnius (two days Vilnius, one day Trakai).

Firstly, I apologise if you have in fact been, however, I’m a little bit in love with Lithuania. Having…

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