Vilnius, Lithuania: days one & two

I already wrote about my first day and a half in Lithuania, but here are some photos to accompany that post anyway.


This is the Gate of Dawn. My photo didn't turn out very well, but if you'd like to see better shots of either the inside or the outside of the building they're not hard to find online.


This church is just down the street from the Gate of Dawn.

I then walked to the area surrounding Vilnius University, the Presidential Palace, and the Vilnius Cathedral.


Presidential Palace






Vilnius Cathedral


National Museum

Behind the National Museum is the Upper Castle, also known as the Gedminias Tower.


I took the lift to the top of the hill. It doesn't look very steep from this photo, but it is. Plus, it's kind of fun to ride a funicular (yes, I just learned this word, so I have to use it all the time now).

Obviously, there were beautiful views from the top of the hill.



And beautiful flowers!


I could see the Hill of Three Crosses, which has an interesting political/religious history.


Of course, I had to climb to the top of this tower too! Inside there were a couple history displays, models of the city, and old weapons/armor.




The best part was the view from the top of the tower. It was really windy, but luckily I had more room than on the St. Olaf tower in Tallinn.

Afterward, I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the city, and taking pictures of random picturesque sites.




I then went to the grocery store by the hostel, which has the angriest cashiers in the universe, and bought some rye bread and other necessities. I'd love to write more, but I can't remember what I already wrote and I'm too tired to look. I think that means I should get some sleep!

note: blogger slightly cuts off the edge of some of these photos, so if you want to see the whole image just click on it.