Užupis District Walking Tour (Self Guided), Vilnius

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”, translated into more than 40 languages, can be seen mounted on wall plaques along Paupio Street.

This part of Vilnius has been popular with artists since the Soviet times; many local painters and sculptors used to live or have their workshops here. Nowadays, artists’ studios are still very present, lining the narrow streets alongside art galleries, designer boutiques, hip cafes, and global eateries.

In equal measure the neighborhood is dotted with numerous street murals and installations like a bronze trumpeting angel erected on the main square, symbolizing the rebirth and artistic freedom of the quarter. Another symbol of Uzupis is a riverbank mermaid sculpture. Locals claim that if you stare into the eyes of the mermaid, prior to crossing into the republic via the Uzupis Bridge, you will never want to leave. Some say, she is the one who lured them here in the first place.

Passing down the bridge in an easterly direction, along Užupio Street, behind the gate on the right side you will see the church of St. Bartholomew, a Roman Catholic basilica built in the 17th century and rebuilt in 1824. Behind it, at a small park, where back in the day used to be a market, the street splits into Polotsko Street. From here starts the old Batory tract to Polotsk. First turn to the right leads to the Bernardine cemetery. This leafy cemetery, dated from 1810, is the burial place of numerous eminent locals and is currently listed as the Cultural Property of the Republic of Lithuania.

If you take interest in this sort of places and wish to explore the “Republic of Uzupis” in more detail, embark on this self-guided walking tour!