Day 73: Rest Day in Vilnius - Racpat Scandinavia and the Baltics 2024 - CycleBlaze

September 12, 2024

Day 73: Rest Day in Vilnius

Walking Tour of the Old Town

We meet at the Town Hall at 11am for a walking tour of the city. These tours are great and easy way to learn the history of the country and city as well as seeing the recommended highlights. And if also taking a rest day, the tours help learning the orientation of the city.c

The Baltic region and countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all have a similar history with medieval selfdom, independence from the Soviets in 1918, occupied by the Nazis and then again by the Soviets until early 199os.  With the demand for independence with the human chain from Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn in 1991. Estonia and Latvia used to be one region. Lithuania though at one time in history composed of territory from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

Over 70% of the population are Catholic. We see a statue of Medeine, Goddess of Nature representing the last Pagan Nation in Europe.

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George (Buddy) HallI recognize this statue, and other pictures you took of Vilnius. I was fortunate to have a work assignment in Germany for 6 months in 2019 - I got to travel on projects a bit, Vilnius was my favorite place of all. Thanks for rekindling the memories.
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Rachel and Patrick HugensTo George (Buddy) HallIsn't that the best of seeing and reading other journals...love the memory popups.
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Medeine Statue, Goddess of Nature, sitting on a bear symbolizing dominance of the untamed realm of the forest and ruler of nature.
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An old church repurposed during soviet times to a warehouse
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We hear the story of  Uzupio and area across the Vilneis River that declared itself a Free Republic in 1997. There is a Border Control and Constitution, its own flag and anthem. Essentially, the area has become a post Soviet Art Enclave.

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St. Anne's Church, late 15th century in Gothic Architecture
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Presidential Palace with the NATO symbol in the courtyard
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Vilnius University founded in 1579. The University conceals 12 inner courtyards and a library founded in 1570.
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Vinius Cathedral and Basilica Square. The Bell Tower was once a part of the defensive wall from the 13th Century.
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Street in Old Town
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Our guide tells us Gediminas had 8 sons and 5 daughters and they were instructed to marry surrounding lands to increase the size of the empire.

Duke Gediminas (Gedeminne, Gedeminnen, Gedeminni, Godeminnus) the founder of the dynasty of the gediminids, with 1316 1341 for years - the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Years of life: October 1275 - December 1341 years.
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