2012, SEPTEMBER 11: LITHUANIA, VILNIUS - PRESIDENT'S PALACE & CATHEDRAL SQUARE

Dating from the 14^th century, the present Classical building of President’s Palace in the Old Town of Vilnius is the result of several renovations. Currently it serves as the office and the official residence of Lithuania’s President, now occupied by President Dalia Grybauskaite. According to a news story, she cast her general election ballot on October 14, 2012.

Lithuania Grybauskaite Casts he Ballot, Vilnius

At the time we went there, a demonstration was going on regarding the court battle between the parents of young girl about her legal custody.

 

Demonstration at Presidential Palace, Vilnius

Soon we reached our final destination of the day, the Cathedral Square, the main square of the city. The square is the venue for the city’s large public gatherings for fairs, large concerts and exhibitions, military parades, and other religious and civic events.

The center-piece of the Square is a free-standing bell tower, and the neo-classical Cathedral of Vilnius, the main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania. Statues of Saint Casimir, Saint Stanislaus and Saint Helena adorn the roof of the Cathedral.

Bell Tower & Cathedral, Vilnius

Just behind the Cathedral is the Royal Palace, which has been partly reconstructed. And near the Palace is the equestrian statue of Gediminas, one of the first rulers of Lithuania.

Gediminas Statue & the Royal Palace, Vinius

Behind the statue is a public park and the Three Crosses Hill. The crosses represent the three Franciscan monks who had been killed by the people of the town for preaching Christianity, decades before the whole city converted to in 1387.

Three Crosses Hill, Vilnius

A stone monument on the Square marks the 650^th anniversary of Vilnius.

650th Anniversary Stone Marker, Vilnius

Here we ended our 2-1/2 hour walking tour of the Old Town of Vilnius. We then boarded our bus to return to our hotel, to get ready for our day-long out-of-town visit to Trakai Castle.