Gediminas Castle and it's views, Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Gediminas Tower is the remaining part of the Upper Castle (Gediminas Castle) from 1409. The tower is mentioned in many patriotic poems and is now a symbol of Vilnius and independent Lithuania. It can be climbed to the top, after the hill it is situated on have been reached by funicular, or steep stone walkways. There is an exhibition about the history inside. The skyline of Vilnius, that can be seen from the top of Gediminas Tower and the hill where the Upper Castle is, is pretty interesting. That is because of the intact old town with it's beautiful church towers, the two rivers (Neris and Vilnia), the Lower Castle, the beautiful parks and the modern skyline with the 129m tall Europe Tower that dominates it, as well as the 329m tall TV tower from 1980, that is the 2nd tallest freestanding tower in the Baltic countries. Among all this beauty you can see many grey highrises and rundown buildings from the Soviet times. The modern skyline was created as late as in 2004, while the ancient skyline derives from more then 800 years back.

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle, was demolished in 1801 and rebuilt between 2002-2009. It was part of the program of nation-building after the fall of the iron curtain, considered controversial among several historians. Inside the palace there is a museum with art and furniture that belonged to Lithuanian and Polish kings, and the National Museum. The ruins of the base of the palace can be seen from the basenent, and everything is explained in English. The Palace of the Grand Dukes was originally constructed in the 15th century for the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the future Kings of Poland. During Lithuania's presidency of the Council of the European Union, the palace was used as one of the main venues for the meetings of heads of European countries.

Gediminas Tower, here seen from Bernardine Garden, is the remaining part of the Upper Castle. from 1409. It is mentioned in many patriotic poems and is a symbol of Vilnius. It can be climbed to the top, after the hill it is situated on have been reached by funicular, or steep stone walkways. There is a history exhibition inside. Views from Gediminas Tower: Vilnius modern skyline. Europe Tower (129m to the roof), built 2004,  is the tallest building). Views from Gediminas Tower: Vilnius TV Tower (326m), built in 1980 and situated in the West part of the city. Views from Gediminas Tower010 Views from Gediminas Tower011 Views from Gediminas Tower012 Views from Gediminas Tower013 Views from Gediminas Tower009 The hill that surrounds the Gediminas Tower Views from Gediminas Tower004 Funicular up to Gediminas Tower Rocks at Gediminas Tower Views from Gediminas Tower: Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Views from Gediminas Tower: Vilnius modern skyline. Europe Tower (129m to the roof  is the tallest building). Views from Gediminas Tower: Three Crosses Monument Views from Gediminas Tower007 Views from Gediminas Tower: Neris River and skyline. Views from Gediminas Tower: Vilnius TV Tower (326m) Views from Gediminas Tower015 Views from Gediminas Tower016 Views from Gediminas Tower020 Views from Gediminas Tower: Bernardine Garden and Vilna River. Views from Gediminas Tower: St Anne Church and Bernardine Church Views from Gediminas Tower, castle ruins and views Views from Gediminas Tower024 Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Views from Gediminas Tower029 Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Inside Gediminas Tower Views from Gediminas Tower038 Views from Gediminas Tower039 Views from Gediminas Tower040 Views from Gediminas Tower041 Views from Gediminas Tower of Upper Castle and Bernardine Garden. Views from Gediminas Tower: St Anne/Bernardine Churches and Uzupis. The roof of  Gediminas Tower Views from Gediminas Tower: Typical trolley buses of Vilnius. Views from Gediminas Tower046 Views from Gediminas Tower: Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports. Views from Gediminas Tower048 Views from Gediminas Tower: Sail Towers (86m) from 2009. Views from Gediminas Tower: Swedbank. Views from Gediminas Tower: Radisson Hotel Lietuva Views from Gediminas Tower: Europe Tower (129m, 153m to the mast) was built in 2004. In the front is  Vilnius Municipal Center, also built in 2004. Views from Gediminas Tower053 Views from Gediminas Tower: Vilnius TV Tower (326m), built in 1980 and situated in the West part of the city. Views from Gediminas Tower055 Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle001 Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle007 Funicular up to Gediminas Tower from the Lower Castle Funicular up to Gediminas Tower Funicular up to Gediminas Tower from the Lower Castle Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle011 Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle012 Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle013 Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle014 Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle015 Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle016 National Museum, Lower Castle Statue of King Mindaugus, National Museum, Lower Castle Gediminas Tower, Upper Castle, seen from the Lower Castle. National Museum, Lower Castle Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 001 The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle, was demolished in 1801 and rebuilt between 2002-2009. It was part of the program of nation-building after the fall of the iron curtain, considered controversial among several historians. Inside the palace there is a museum with art and furniture that belonged to Lithuanian and Polish kings, and the National Museum. The ruins of the base of the palace can be seen from the basenent, and everything is explained in English. The Palace of the Grand Dukes was originally constructed in the 15th century for the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the future Kings of Poland. During Lithuania's presidency of the Council of the European Union, the palace was used as one of the main venues for the meetings of heads of European countries.  Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 003 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle. Schlossberg's house was part of the new complex, that opened in 2009. 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Lithuania was at war with Sweden and Russia! Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 029 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 030 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 031 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 032 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 033 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania: The throne room of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and later some Polish kings Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 035 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 036 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania: Crowns of  the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Polish queens and kings. Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Lower Castle 040