Gediminas Tower
Gedimino pilies bokštas
Lithuania · Vilnius County · Near Vilnius
Built 1409 · Gothic brick
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Quick Facts
- Hours
- Mon 10:00–18:00. Tue–Sat 10:00–21:00. Sun 10:00–18:00
- Entry from
- €5
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Best time
- Year-round
- Nearest city
- Vilnius
Featured Tour
Vilnius: City Highlights Private Walking Tour
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Highlights
- ✦National symbol of Lithuania and the most recognisable landmark in Vilnius
- ✦Panoramic 360° views over the old town UNESCO World Heritage Site
- ✦Museum of Lithuanian history inside the tower
- ✦Accessible by funicular from Cathedral Square
- ✦Site of the founding legend of Vilnius — Grand Duke Gediminas's dream of the iron wolf
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Gediminas Tower is the most iconic landmark in Lithuania — the remaining western tower of the Upper Castle of Vilnius, standing on a steep hill above Cathedral Square and the Old Town. According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas dreamed of an iron wolf howling on this hill and was told by a pagan priest to build a city here: this was the founding of Vilnius in 1323. The current tower, rebuilt in the 15th century, houses a branch of the Lithuanian National Museum with exhibits on Vilnius's medieval history, and offers panoramic views across the Baroque spires of the UNESCO-listed old town, the Neris and Vilnia rivers, and the forested hills beyond. The tower is reached by a short funicular ride from Cathedral Square — the heart of Vilnius — or a 10-minute woodland walk.
History
Gediminas founded Vilnius in 1323, establishing his capital on this hill. The Upper Castle complex was built and expanded through the 14th and 15th centuries. Russian and Swedish forces destroyed much of the complex during the 17th-century wars; only the western tower survived intact. The tower was restored in the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1989, as the independence movement grew, two million people formed the Baltic Way human chain from Vilnius through Riga to Tallinn — the chain began at Gediminas Tower. Lithuania restored its independence in 1990.
How to Visit
Gediminas Tower is in the heart of Vilnius, a 10-minute walk from Vilnius train station. Take the funicular (cable car) from Cathedral Square for the easiest ascent. The tower sits at the top of the hill in the Old Town, adjacent to the ruins of the Lower and Upper Castle complexes. Vilnius Airport is 5 km from the city centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Duke Gediminas dreamed of an iron wolf howling from a hill, and a pagan priest interpreted this as a command to build a great city — leading to the founding of Vilnius in 1323.
Location
Arsenalo g. 5, Vilnius 01143, Lithuania
Nearby Castles
Tours & Tickets
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From
€464/ person