Vilnius University, Vilnius

Vilnius University, Vilnius

Vilnius University is the Baltic's oldest university. Founded in 1579, it is also one of Northern Europe's oldest and most popular universities. It was founded by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, Stephen Bathory. The university was originally the Jesuit Academy of Vilnius.

University operations were suspended between 1830 and 1919 due to the Polish-Russian War 1830-1831. The university faced more disruptions during World War I and II. When Lithuania regained independence in 1990, the university was again one of Lithuania's most prestigious universities.

Vilnius University features Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical architecture. Because Vilnius has been ruled and influenced by different cultures and countries, the city part of the name has changed several times. It has been known as Vilna, Wilna, and Wilno.

Vilnius University has an impressive array of 13 courtyards with arcades and galleries. The Grand Courtyard, the pantheon of the University, has a gallery commemorating the university’s founders, patrons and eminent scientists. In fact, every courtyard has its own secrets that worth exploring.

The campus has an impressive library with over five million books. The library stores the first book printed in the Lithuanian language. The priceless book dates to 1547. The library's interior is stunning and features several beautiful halls.

Vilnius University is also home to St. John's Church. This beautiful church was rebuilt in 1749 in the Baroque style. Visitors can climb 193 wooden stairs or take the elevator to the top for a fabulous view of the city.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vilnius. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Vilnius University on Map

Sight Name: Vilnius University
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania

Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius

Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vilnius is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour

Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour

The historic and present-day capital of Lithuania, Vilnius is known for the architecture in its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

The name of the city originates from the River Vilnia (which is the Lithuanian for “ripple”). According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas (c. 1275–1341), having hunted near the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers, saw a dream in which a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Užupis District Walking Tour

Užupis District Walking Tour

A tiny isolated area and a former suburb, which now forms part of the Old Town of Vilnius, the Uzupis district is often compared, for its bohemian and laissez-faire atmosphere, to Montmartre of Paris and Freetown Christiania of Copenhagen. Similarly to the latter, in 1997, the district declared itself an independent republic; the tongue-in-cheek constitution of the self-proclaimed “republic”,...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Historical Churches Tour

Historical Churches Tour

As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts a wealth of gorgeous churches featuring diverse architectural styles – Gothic, Baroque, to mention but a few. Many of the local churches are historical, having witnessed centuries of events and become iconic landmarks of the Lithuanian capital.

One of the most famous temples in Vilnius...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles