Lukiškės Square, Vilnius

Lukiškės Square, located in the heart of Vilnius, has undergone significant changes throughout its history. Originally used as a marketplace and fairground in the early twentieth century, the square became a site for official commemorative ceremonies and military parades during the interwar period. The city planners began to consider the commemorative function of the square, making plans to erect a memorial to freedom and installing a plaque in memory of those killed in the 1863 uprising.

During the Soviet period, the square underwent several transformations, each taking it closer to being the principal ideological and ceremonial landmark in the Lithuanian capital. The statue of Lenin was unveiled in 1952, and the square itself was given a grandiose remodelling. The square remained unchanged until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. On that day, the statue of Lenin was pulled down, and the square regained its former name of Lukiškės.

Since then, the purpose of the square has been a topic of much discussion. Several architectural design competitions have been held, and the square was given a new look in 2016 and 2017. Despite this, its purpose remains a bone of contention. However, one thing is clear: Lukiškės Square has a rich and varied history that reflects the changes and challenges faced by the people of Vilnius and Lithuania.