The History of Vilnius

The History of Vilnius

A tour of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, reveals a rich but also at times devastating history of different peoples. Emerging to prominence in the 14th century, Vilnius would become one of the more vibrant and tolerant cities in Eastern Europe, home to a mix of different cultures and religions, flourishing for centuries as an administrative capital and centre of trade. However, from the late 18th, the people of Vilnius city would be forced to embark on an almost 200-year struggle to maintain their culture and the city’s status. This article explores the city’s history and culture to assist as you visit Vilnius.

Odyssey Traveller visits Vilnius as part of our Baltics small group tour. This tour is designed for senior and mature travellers who seek to travel with 6 to 12 like-minded people, and enjoy learning about history and culture with the help of our knowledgeable tour leaders and expert local guides.

Growth into a Prominent City

Human life has long existed at the site of Vilnius: archaeological site evidence dates back to ancient Palaeolithic times and a built settlement existed from the 10th century. However, its growth into a prominent, vibrant, and multicultural city began from the 14th century when Grand Duke Jogaila established the Polish-Lithuanian Union (1385) – Europe’s largest state at the time and one of its most powerful.

In 1387 Vilnius received mercantile city status through Magdeburg law granted by Jogalia, attracting Polish and German migrations and allowing trade and crafts to flourish over the following centuries. Religious tolerance also prevailed as Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox, and pagan communities all lived side-by-side peacefully.

During the 16th century the town grew rapidly into a beautiful architectural city. The Old Town layout developed and was surrounded with defensive walls and gates from 1503, of which today the famous Gates of Dawn still stands. Then in 1544 King and Grand Duke Sigimundus II Augustus established his court in Vilnius, making it the centre of the Polish-Lithuanian Union. The richness of the city further grew with thousands of new houses built, as well as amazing palaces, and cathedrals in the gothic style along its narrow streets.

When the Union of Lublin (1569) established the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Vilnius lost its status as an administrative capital, replaced by Warsaw. Nevertheless, its importance remained: Kings continued to use the palace; the Vilnius University (established 1579) became the primary centre of science and education eastern Europe; and the city flourished as a vibrant centre of Jewish culture.

Imperial Russian Rule & Industrialization

Liberal reforms under King Stanislaw August Poniatowski (c. 1764-95) uneased Poland-Lithuania’s neighbours – Russia, Austria, and Prussia – consequently intervening to partition the lands. Vilnius was annexed by Russia in the final partition of 1795 becoming the administrative capital of the imperial province of North-western Krai (present day Belarus and Lithuania) until 1915.

During the rule the city was rebuilt to look more Russian. Catholic church buildings were converted to Russian Orthodox or secular use, a monument to a czar or governor on any given street become common, and many stately administrative buildings were erected.

In 1860 the industrial revolution began in Lithuania. Over the following decades the Railroads were constructed, gas lighting and then electricity became available, as well as horse-drawn trams and public buses. Rapid urbanisation followed the technological changes and a grand new civic centre (or New Town) was constructed to the West of the Old Town.

War & Occupation

During the 20th century Vilnius experienced a dark history of war and occupation. Following almost four years of German occupation during WWI, from 1915 until the end of 1918, Vilnius became the capital of newly independent Lithuania. This was short lived, however, as Poland took over by force in 1920.

Then in 1939 at the very beginning of WWII, the Soviet Union captured the city and compelled Lithuania under threat of invasion to sign a mutual assistance treaty. The treaty allowed Lithuania to regain Vilnius in return for stationing Soviet military bases. Yet, only a year later the soviets broke the treaty and annexed the city launching a period of violent persecution and deportation of the Lithuanian and Polish intelligentsia (1940-41).

In 1941 the Germans followed with their own invasion. Persecution continued, this time of the Jewish community who found themselves suddenly locked in Vilna ghetto. A large number were eventually killed, sent to labour camps, or fled, reducing the population from 54,600 in 1931 to 16, 400 by 1959.

The Soviets reoccupied Lithuanian in 1944, and began a major campaign of destruction of buildings, churches, chapels, and cemeteries. These were replaced over the decades of Soviet rule by large Stalinist buildings, squares, and statues dedicated to communists and soldiers. Fortunately, most of the most valuable and beautiful buildings in the Old Town survived both the war and communist occupation, and was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Independence

Vilnius was catapulted to worldwide status in the late 1980s and early 1990s, playing an important role in the collapse of the Soviet Union. Underground opposition led to the formation of the Sajudis movement in 1988 and the coordination of major demonstrations in the city for independence. March 11th 1990 is perhaps the most important date in Lithuanian history as the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian Soviet Republic declared the country’s independence.

A Russian blockade of fuel and heating followed, as well as military aggression on January 11th-13th 1990 killing 14 people and injuring 700 hundred at the Vilnius TV Tower. The people of Vilnius resisted armless against Soviet tanks and finally on September 6th 1991 the Soviet Union finally gave in. Lithuania was the first soviet state to be recognised as independent, sparking a chain reaction of following states and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Since independence Lithuania has made a number of major reforms, proving to be one of the most successful countries in adapting to the free market system, and joining the EU in 2004. Vilnius, as the nation’s capital, has led the way.

Articles on Lithuania

These articles are either published by Odyssey Traveller or are carefully selected external sources to maximise the senior travellers’ knowledge and enjoyment of Lithuania when visiting:

• Questions about Lithuania
• Grutas Park Lithuania
• Hill of Crosses Lithuania
• Trakai Island Castle Lithuania
• History of the Baltic States
• A Locals Guide to Vilnius
• Where to Eat in Vilnius
• Vilnius Street Art
• Vilnius Old Town Architecture
• 26 Best Things to do in Lithuania