Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania.

It sits near two rivers.

One river is called the Vilnia. The other is called the Neris.

The city has an old town. It has many pretty buildings. It also has lots of green space.

In a legend, a leader had a dream. He saw a big iron wolf. He built a city there. This city became Vilnius. It is a very special place.

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania.

It is the largest city in the Baltic states. The city sits where two rivers meet. One is the Vilnia and the other is the Neris.

The name Vilnius comes from the Vilnia River.

The city is famous for its Old Town. This area has many old buildings. It is one of the largest old towns in Europe. In 1994, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it is a very special place. The city also has many trees and parks. Most of the city is green space.

Many people live in Vilnius. About 617,984 people live in the city. The weather changes with the seasons. Summers are warm or even hot. In July, it can feel very sunny.

Winters can be very cold. During cold times, the rivers and lakes freeze over. This happens from December to April. Vilnius is a modern city with many new jobs in finance.

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania.

It is the most populous city in the Baltic states. The city sits in southeastern Lithuania where two rivers meet. These are the Vilnia and the Neris rivers.

Some people believe this area is the middle of Europe. The Guinness Book of World Records even recognizes a point near the city as the continental center. This center is near the village of Girija.

The city is very green and full of nature. About 68.8 percent of the city is green space. Only about 29.1 percent of the land is covered by buildings.

There are eight nature reserves in the area. You can also find several lakes on the outskirts. The weather changes quite a bit with the seasons. Summers are warm or even hot, especially in July and August. Winters can be very cold, and the lakes often freeze from December to April.

Legend says the city began with a dream. Grand Duke Gediminas was once hunting in a nearby forest. He dreamed of a huge Iron Wolf on a hill. A priest told him the wolf meant he would build a great city. Gediminas then built two castles in the area. The first mentions of the city appear in his letters from 1323.

History has seen many different rulers in Vilnius. It was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for a long time. Later, it was ruled by many different groups. These included the Russian Empire, Napoleonic France, and the Soviet Union. In 1990, the leaders announced they wanted to restore an independent Lithuania.

This was a very important time for the country. The Soviet Union recognized Lithuanian independence in September 1991.

Today, Vilnius is a modern and busy place. It is a major center for the global fintech industry. The city is also a financial center, ranking 29th in Europe.

Many people visit the Old Town to see its beautiful architecture. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for a style called Vilnian Baroque. The city also hosted the 2023 NATO Summit. It was named the European Green Capital in 2025.

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania.

It is also the most populous city in the Baltic states. As of January 2026, the city's population was estimated at 617,984 people. The wider Vilnius urban area reached an estimated 747,864 residents. The city is a major European center for finance and technology. It is a key hub for the global fintech industry. In 2021, it was named one of the Global Cities of the Future.

The city also serves as a significant political stage. It hosted the 2023 NATO Summit and was the European Green Capital in 2025.

The city sits in southeastern Lithuania at a river confluence.

The Vilnia River flows into the Neris River in the center of the old city. This location is near Castle Hill. Some researchers believe this area is near the geographic midpoint of Europe. The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes a point near Vilnius as the continental center. This point is near the village of Girija, about 26 kilometers away. The city is well-connected to other Lithuanian cities like Kaunas, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys. It also maintains links to the Baltic Sea and the seaport of Klaipėda.

Vilnius is a very green city with much natural space. About 68.8 percent of the city is covered by green space. Only 29.1 percent of the land is covered by buildings. Water covers about 2.1 percent of the area. There are eight nature reserves located within or near the city. These include the Vokės Senslėnio Slopes and the Aukštagiris Geomorphological Reserve. Several lakes, such as Lake Balžis, sit on the northeastern outskirts. The climate is a humid continental type. This means summers can be warm or hot. Winters can be very cold, often dropping below -20°C. During extreme winters, the rivers and lakes may freeze from December until April.

Legend provides a dramatic origin for the city's founding. Around the 1530s, stories recorded the dream of Grand Duke Gediminas. While hunting near Šventaragis' Valley, Gediminas reportedly dreamed of a huge Iron Wolf. The wolf stood on a hill and howled loudly. A chief priest named Lizdeika interpreted this as a sign. He said the wolf represented a great city and capital. Gediminas responded by building two castles. He built the Lower Castle in the valley and the Crooked Castle on Bald Hill.

The first written mentions of the city appeared in his letters in 1323.

The history of Vilnius involves many different ruling powers. It was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania until 1795. During the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the city was a famous multicultural center. It was known for its diverse Polish, Jewish, and German populations. Napoleon Bonaparte once called it "the Jerusalem of the North" in 1812. This was because of its importance as a Jewish center. Later, the city was ruled by the Russian Empire and Napoleonic France. It was also occupied by Imperial and Nazi Germany. In the 20th century, it was part of interwar Poland and then the Soviet Union. On 11 March 1990, the Supreme Council announced the intent to restore independence.

This period included a violent attack on the TV Tower in 1991. The Soviet Union finally recognized Lithuanian independence in September 1991.

The architecture of Vilnius is one of its most famous features. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was declared such in 1994. This area is one of Europe's largest and best-preserved old towns. The city is known for a specific style called Vilnian Baroque. This style is named after the city itself. Vilnius is the easternmost Baroque city in the region. It is also the largest Baroque city located north of the Alps. The city's history is visible in its many religious buildings. You can find 14th-century Gothic frescoes in the crypts of the Vilnius Cathedral.

There are also many Renaissance and Baroque structures throughout the center.

Modern Vilnius has expanded significantly since 1990. The city has incorporated various villages and the town of Grigiškės. A New City Centre has developed on the north side of the Neris River. This district is the main area for business and administration. It contains modern residential spaces and the Europa Tower. The city has also seen a massive building boom. Between 1995 and 2018, over 75,000 flats were constructed. This made Vilnius a leader in Baltic construction. Today, the city is a member of Eurocities and the Union of Capitals of the European Union. It remains a vital connection between historical tradition and modern European life.