From today, the renovated and organized Reformed Garden is open to Vilnius residents and city guests. Between Pylima, J. Basanavičiaus, K. Kalinauskas and Teatro streets, the green Reformed garden is significant for the history of the city of Vilnius, as well as for the Reformed community living and working nearby.
The area was renovated primarily through archaeological, architectural and historical research, and its renovation helped to create an open and safe place for all residents and visitors to the city.
"The garden, which previously served as a transit area for many, has been reborn as a great place for those who want to rest, take a walk and have fun with their children," says the mayor of the city of Vilnius Remigius Šimašius.
During the opening ceremony, the performance of the Vilnius String Quintet "Intermezzo" began. The chamber ensemble performed baroque instrumental and vocal music, classical plays and songs, romantic miniatures, works of contemporary composers, jazz compositions, music from motion pictures, etc.
Later, the little people from Vilnius enjoyed the soap bubble blowing workshop. And later, everyone who wanted could visit open yoga classes led by professional trainers.
The garden was created together with the residents
One of the main landscape tasks during the reconstruction of the Reformed garden was to properly plan the spaces. The archeology of important buildings for the Reformed community will be marked here: the former church, consistory, two chapels and the cemetery fence.
Separate areas of the garden are planted with carpet plants and bulbous flowers that bloom in spring. In addition, during the reconstruction, the aim was to turn the territory into an ornithologically attractive habitat for birds, enrich biodiversity and create a cozy space for our daily life.
The project of the Reformed garden was repeatedly changed after taking into account the comments expressed by residents and townspeople. It was decided to preserve more trees, the idea of fencing the garden was abandoned, the most suitable place for the monument was found, the system of transit paths was adjusted, and a hard surface was chosen for them.
During the reconstruction, the proposal of Vilnius residents was also heard not to segment the square, but to seek universality: it was decided that the territory of the building complex of the Vilnius Evangelical Reformed Synod with the sacred area, where in 1982-1983 the cemetery was demolished, will be immortalized and distinguished by landscape means, but the functions of the remaining garden spaces will not be fundamentally changed.
There is no doubt that the Reformed Garden will become a space for leisure, recreation, culture and historical knowledge, close to every Vilnius resident and city guest. It is planned that the renovation of this place will create conditions for the development of small businesses and the creation of new jobs.
