Vilnius

Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital and largest city. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of the largest and best-preserved in Central and Eastern Europe, with almost two thousand medieval, gothic, renaissance, and baroque buildings. The cobbled streets of the Old Town are home to many of the city’s most popular attractions, such as Tower of Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square. Vilnius is one of Europe’s greenest capitals, with 46% of the city dedicated to green spaces.

Before the Second World War, Vilnius was one of the largest Jewish centres in Europe, with Napoleon calling it ‘the Jerusalem of the North’ as he passed in 1812. Over 90% of the Vilnius’ Jewish population were tragically killed in the Holocaust, and Vilnius does not hide its battle scars – Holocaust and KGB museums, former ghettos and memorials serve as reminders of this resilient city’s past struggles.

Inside the Old Town is the bohemian neighbourhood of Užupis. On April 1 1997, Užupis declared itself an independent republic and is still to this day. What started as an April Fools’ joke evolved into Užupis having its own government, constitution, president and currency.