Vilnius

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.