There was a time when Lithuanian soldiers and nobles watered their horses in the Black Sea. In the 15th century, Grand Duke Vytautas the Great turned the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into one of the world’s largest states.
However, it was not only famous victories in battle that helped to maintain such vast territories. The successful development of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was due to its tolerance of other religions and local customs. In what ways did this change the capital – Vilnius? What did the citizens do during this period? Could it be that the traditions that we consider our own today came from other lands, and that the citizens of Vilnius were not necessarily born in this city? Where would you have lived in the Vilnius of that time if you had considered your current place of residence in the capital? Check out medieval jobs and professions – which 15th-century job would you like to try? Would you have belonged to one of the city’s brotherhoods? Some of the professions from those times no longer exist today, buildings have changed hands, or disappeared from the map completely; nevertheless, interesting stories and authentic places have been preserved. In the 15th century, Vilnius was just as vibrant as it is today, with goods brought from abroad, construction thriving, prosperity, and growth. So, let’s take a walk around Old Vilnius and think about what it would have been like for you to live here almost 600 years ago.
What will you learn/see on the route?
- What do the dark pink granite slabs in Cathedral Square represent?
- What was the fuel used for heating the first school in Lithuania?
- Where were the goods brought to Vilnius from abroad stored?
