In my past “Sister City” features about Ohibiro, Japan and Freiburg, Germany, I relied on online research to discover these foreign cities. (The City Cast Madison expense budget doesn’t have a line item for overseas travel.)
But for today’s Sister City feature on Vilnius, Lithuania, I have some expert help. Madison Minutes reader and former Madison resident Landyn R. now lives in Vilnius, and he and a couple of his Madison expat friends answered my questions on why he loves living there. Here’s what makes Vilnius such a special place.
🇱🇹 Where is Vilnius?
Vilnius is the largest city in Lithuania and, like Madison, its capital city. It’s located in the southeastern corner of the country where the Vilnia and Neris rivers meet. With a population of over 747,000, it is the most populous city in all of the Baltic states.
🏙️ How Old is Vilnius?
Pretty old! Its history dates back to the Stone Age, and in 1323, it became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Over the centuries, the city has become a center of science and culture, attracting migrants from east and west, and developing a diverse population of Orthodox, German, and Jewish citizens. Occupied over the years by the Germans, the Russians, and the Teutonic Knights, Lithuania became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991.
A downtown square in Vilnius that was the site of a recent Baltic Pride Parade. (Photo by Landyn R.)
😀 How is It Like Madison?
Landyn said that life in Vilnius is centered around getting out and enjoying the city. When he sees people out picnicking in the parks or kayaking on the Neris, he’s reminded of seeing Madisonians at Olbrich Park or boating on the lakes. The people are also very friendly, although they don’t do Midwestern small talk.
🏰 What Should We See?
Landyn’s friend Chessie said they love to get out and explore all of Vilnius’ little communities – the arts communities, the farmers’ markets, the sewing circles. Their friend Willow loves to swim in the lakes in the summer.
Art and architecture buffs will love exploring the churches and buildings of Vilnius – the city’s Old Town has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval layout and mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and classical architecture. Trakai Island Castle is a must-visit, as the 14th-century castle was the center of the Grand Duchy and was restored in the 1950s as a symbol of Lithuanian heritage despite pushback from the Soviets.
The museums in Vilnius cover literal centuries of history, from the National Museum of Lithuania to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, which is housed in the city’s former KGB headquarters.
The Old Town neighborhood of Vilnius, Lithuania has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Photo by Landyn R.)
☕ Where Should We Eat?
Hungry for pink soup? Bright pink cold beetroot soup called šaltibarščiai is such a part of Lithuanian culture that Vilnius launched the first Pink Soup Fest this summer, where folks dress up in pink (bring your Forward FC gear!), and celebrate in the streets with music, waiter races, and other Instagrammable events.
For traditional Lithuanian food, Landyn recommends the restaurant Etno Dvaras, where he recommends cepelinai, a potato dumpling filled with meat or cheese and the šaltibarščiai. His favorite restaurants in Vilnius are “Radharane, a vegetarian Indian restaurant and Būsi trečias, a bar and restaurant with delicious beers, cocktails, and the typical bar food here, kepta duona, crispy fried pieces of dark rye bread with plenty of garlic and a cheesy sauce.”
Chessie likes the little Soviet-era cafeterias that still exist in the town, where you can get a hearty meal for just five euros. And Willow thinks you should check out Chačapuri, a chain that makes traditional Georgian cheese-filled flatbreads.
Thanks, Landyn, Chessie and Willow, for showing us around Vilnius!
