Pay a Visit to Vilnius University

When you are next in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, make sure to pop in to Vilnius University architectural ensemble, situated in the heart of the Old Town right next to the Presidential Palace.

 

 

Vilnius University dates back to the 16th century, but still remains the place where hundreds of young people get their University degrees every year – the old University campus still houses Philology, Philosophy, and History Faculties, Institute of Foreign Languages, Centre of Asian Studies, as well as administration and University library.

 

When you get there, remember, Vilnius University architectural ensemble developed over many centuries and covers a whole section of historic buildings, representing various historic periods and architectural styles.

There are 13 courtyards in the architectural ensemble, so make sure you visit all of them (except the two, where visitors aren’t allowed).

You can follow a simple map, which you’ll get at the ticket office together with some guidelines about noteworthy locations.

 

 

 

The first courtyard you will enter, Sarbievijaus courtyard, used to be a very busy place when the university was first established – it housed a brewery, a bakery, a grain storage facility as well as other small enterprises.

Today, it remains a busy place too, although it has nothing to do with business anymore – it’s a place where  students hang around during the breaks between their lectures, sharing their academic (and not only!) experiences, their wins and fails as well as plans and hopes for the future.

 

 

The most impressive of the courtyards, most likely, is the Grand Courtyard (Didysis kiemas) with its St Johns’ Church, the Bell tower as well as adjacent buildings, representing different architectural styles and historical periods – the Rennaisance, Baroque and Classicism.

 

 

The Bell Tower is open to the public at certain times of the year and, they say, once you get up to the top, the view is spectacular. But only if you come at the right season – when I attempted to visit the tower in November the lady at the counter called me ‘a dreamer’….

St Johns’ Church in the Grand Courtyard is a must for every visitor – admire its wavy decorations, delicate metal chandeliers and the biggest organ in Lithuania.

 

 

While still a parish church, St Johns’ Church is also a venue for many musical events.

It is always a good idea to try and time your visit with one of these and see how the church lights up during an evening of music.

 

At the end of each academic year, St John’s Church and Didysis kiemas (the Grand Courtyard) also becomes a place where students receive their graduation diplomas – what a backdrop for their pictures! 

But don’t end your visit with the Grand and Sarbievijus Courtyards, make sure to enter every smaller courtyard, pop your head around every corner, and you might be rewarded with some cute surprises, such as this angel, standing out of most visitors’ sight. Go and find it!

There are other noteworthy places in this architectural ensemble, and the lady at the box office will tell you what places are the most important ones and where to find them.

 

 

 

A visit to Vilnius University can feel a bit like an exploration of some sort, it is not immediately obvious which way to turn or which door to open in order to find that courtyard or the artwork you are looking for, but this is part of the adventure!

So when you are next in Vilnius, spend an hour or two soaking up the historic and academic atmosphere of Vilnius University architectural ensemble before heading off to explore the rest of this city’s treasures.

Visit Vilnius, enjoy your life!