Discover Vilnius by Hire Car
In addition to this Lithuanian name, which alone is correct today, the Lithuanian capital Vilnius is also referred to by the German name Wilna, the Yiddish name Wilne, and the Polish Fom Wilno.
This variety of names for the city is a reflection of its history.
Vilnius was not part of the state of Lithuania during its first independence, but was under Polish administration.
History of Vilnius
Traces of the political struggle in the fight for independence can be found in front of the parliament as well as in some exhibitions.
Vilnius is considered the Jerusalem of the East. Much of Jewish life was destroyed during the Second World War; the main street of the then ghetto now bears the name “German Street”. Memories of that time are written in the pavement. The Jewish Museum devotes much of its exhibition space to the experiences of the Nazi era.
However, the moments of the flowering of Jewish culture and scholarship occur as well as a glimpse of the active Jewry of the present. Among the Jewish traces of the city is most notably the tomb of Geon of Vilnius, an eminent Torah scholar.
Sights in Vilnius
With a large Polish influence, Vilnius Cathedral is the city’s most important church.
Furthermore, the castle of Vilnius is worth seeing. Below this, the city river Vilnia flows into the Neris, so from here you can also take walks through a river and park landscape.
The most interesting souvenirs from Vilnius are products made of amber, which can be found in particularly large numbers on the Lithuanian Baltic coast.
To get around the city as well as to make some excursions in the region, it is recommended to use a hire car.
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