Lithuania is a different sort of country, much in part because of it’s location: where Western and Eastern Europe meet. This mix of influences can still be seen in the country today, especially in its capital city of Lithuania. While Vilnius is definitely a cultural and historical place, it’s different from other European capitals in that it isn’t a sleepless, fast-paced city. Vilnius instead is a representation of all of Lithuania: its culture, its heritage, and its tradition. You will need a passport if you are thinking of going abroad, but using online passport services can get you started.
With the help of passport services on the internet, you can get passports quickly, safely, and efficiently, unlike the process traditionally required for getting passports. Everything you need is all in one place, on one website from where you can complete your passport applications. These websites can even help you get a replacement for your stolen, damaged, or lost passport, as well as passport renewal.
During your stay in Vilnius, you will see there is no shortage of interesting attractions to see. There are many gorgeous churches, one of which is the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, which also happens to be one of the oldest churches in the country, making it full of history. Vilnius Cathedral is another visually stunning building, and you definitely want to make time for this popular attraction. The original of this Cathedral was constructed as far back as the 1200′s, and it’s new, Gothic model was constructed soon after, in the 1380′s. If you head to the crypt, you can see a cross-section of the different looks of the Church over time, which can really put the country’s history into perspective. The Chapel of St. Casimir is considered as possibly the most beautiful part of the Cathedral, and the catacombs are fun to explore as well. Don’t forget to head outside to find the “stebuklas” brick, which translates into “miracle.” If you stand on this brick, make a wish, and turn around three times, your wish is supposed to come true.
Gediminas Castle is yet another landmark worth exploring. Make some time to climb to the top of the towers, from where you can get an awesome view of the city surrounding the castle. The castle also houses a museum. The Old Town district of Lithuania is a definite must-see as well, as it was a Jewish ghetto before World War II. Because of this, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1994. If the weather is pleasant, definitely consider visiting Three Crosses Hill. This location holds a special legend. It is said that seven Franciscan monks were tortured and crucified here, and it stands as a representative of Lithuania’s Christian spirituality.
If you still have some extra money in your pocket after your adventures, definitely stop by Europe Park. The park is full of sculptures that were crafted by 70 different artists from all over the globe, and the surrounding landscape makes the experience even more amazing.
The culture of Vilnius in Lithuania is definitely unique and fun to experience. It’s incredibly easy to just lose yourself in the atmosphere, just don’t forget that you need a passport. Passports can be easily purchased online with the help of an online United States passport expediting company, which can help you with things like getting lost passport renewals.