Town Hall and Town Hall Square, Vilnius

Vilnius has had a town hall since 1432. The first one was Gothic, but over the centuries it was rebuilt several times. The well-known Lithuanian architect Laurynas Gucevičius, who studied in France, designed the current version after the old one collapsed. Completed in 1799, it’s a fine example of neoclassical architecture and one of Gucevičius’s greatest works—alongside Vilnius Cathedral and the bishops’ summer palace in Verkiai.

For centuries, the Town Hall was the center of civic life. It served as a theatre, hosted the city’s first opera performance, and housed the merchants’ society, shops, the treasury, and even a prison. Today, it continues to be a lively cultural venue for exhibitions, concerts, and official events. Visitors can also explore the Town Hall’s underground catacombs, where traces of the city’s early history remain.

Outside, the spacious Town Hall Square is a favorite meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Once the site of markets, performances, and public punishments, it’s now used for fairs and celebrations. In winter, it sparkles with a giant Christmas tree, while in summer, people gather by the illuminated fountain. Around the square, you can spot Vilnius’s coat of arms—St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child—symbolizing protection and endurance.