Lithuania · Vilnius - Capital of Culture and Arts

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and is situated at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. The city’s name is generally associated with the Vilnia River. Vilnius was first mentioned in writing in 1323 in letters by the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas. In them, he invited, among others, merchants, craftsmen and clerics from Western Europe to settle in his realm. In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Vilnius developed into a political and economic centre.

Following the Christianisation of Lithuania at the end of the 14th century, numerous churches and monasteries were built. The cityscape was shaped by Gothic, Renaissance and, above all, Baroque architecture. The city silhouette depicted on the coin therefore does not represent a single building, but rather the densely built-up Old Town with its churches and bell towers. Characteristic buildings in Vilnius include the Cathedral, St Anne’s Church, the university with St John’s Church, and the Baroque churches of the Old Town. Its historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

For centuries, people of different languages and religions lived in Vilnius, including Lithuanians, Poles, Jews, Ruthenians, Germans and Tatars. The city was a centre of Jewish scholarship and was called Wilne in Yiddish. During the German occupation in the Second World War, the Jewish population was almost completely murdered. War, changes in borders and Soviet rule also fundamentally altered the population structure.

Following the restoration of Lithuanian independence, Vilnius once again became the undisputed political centre of the state. Parliament, the government and the President’s official residence are located here. The choice of the city as the coin’s subject can thus be explained by its function as the capital, its role in Lithuanian history and its architectural heritage. Apparently, the issue was not associated with a specific anniversary.