"Despite wars, occupations and destruction, the architectural ensemble
of Vilnius remains unique. A city lacking German or Scandinavian features,
rather reminiscent of Prague or Rome, Vilnius differs greatly from the other
Baltic capitals. It is the largest Baroque city north of the Alps, and the one
farthest to the east. Yet, nearly all styles of European architecture from Gothic
to Classicism are present in Vilnius. They used to reach Lithuania belatedly,
but probably due to this reason their examples are particularly mature and
flawless. Baroque domes and towers of Vilnius coexist with an irregular
medieval city plan. The spirit of Rome in Vilnius merges with a mix of
other cultural influences: the city has always contained a multitude of
Russian Orthodox churches, synagogues and even mosques that sometimes
imitated baroque, but more often clung to their own models."
( from the book Vilnius by Tomas Venclova )

Vilnius Old Town - the historical core of the capital, surrounded by woods,
hills and valleys - emerged in the confluence of the River Neris and its
tributary the River Vilnia. Through the centuries its urban texture, which
reflects cultural identity of the local population, merged with the natural
landscape. The city originated at the very point where both rivers joined.
Large Baltic settlements could be found in this area as early
5th and 6th centuries.

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