You can read in detail about the history, architecture and other sights of Vilnius in the book "Sightseeing around Vilnius: microdistricts of the city". This is a publication about almost 60 areas of Vilnius. Information is provided about 21 boroughs of Vilnius (Antakalni, Fabijoniškes, Grigiške, Justiniške, Karoliniške, etc.) and smaller areas belonging to them. The texts of this book are mainly summaries of publications prepared using the works of various authors who wrote about Vilnius. They are indicated in the bibliography accompanying each text. The publication is illustrated with today's photos and old iconography, preserved in Lithuanian museums and libraries. The book is intended for schoolchildren and anyone interested in the city.
Vilnius is always different - romantic in the streets of its old town, dreamy in Vilnius In Užupi, reaching cloud in Šnipiškės, windy Fabijoniškės, mysterious Markučiai... Vilnius hides so many secrets and undiscovered places. Let's look around Vilnius together.
Pilaitte
Pilaitė is the newest micro-district of high-rise and multi-apartment houses, which began to be built in the 9th century. In the late 1998s. The project of the area plan changed often and only in XNUMX. the main development directions of the territory were determined. But the history of Pilaitė is much older than the high-rise buildings that are standing today. Five hundred years ago, there was a Lithuanian castle here and they fought against the Crusaders. Historian Mykolas Balinskis claims that Pilaitė used to be called Viršilai Sudervė. A Lithuanian castle stood here on a hill, guarding the road to Vilnius. At the foot of the mound, Lithuanians repeatedly fought with the Crusaders, perhaps that is why the other mound in this place is called the Teutonic Tombs. The castle that stood in the area also gave its name to the surrounding area. XNUMXth century there were two settlements nearby - Papilėnai and Papilaičiai.
1655th century a defensive - representative castle was built on the Pilaitė mound. in 1782 During the struggle of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with Moscow, the castle was destroyed and never rebuilt. A manor and a settlement were established nearby. The buildings of the office, water mill, sawmill and forge that belonged to the manor have been partially rebuilt and have survived to this day. XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries Pilaitė manor had more than one owner. For some time the area was owned by the Jesuits, in XNUMX a wooden St. was built here. Archangel Rapolo Church. XNUMXth century Ave. the manor belonged to Vilnius University, an educational farm and the first agronomy school in Lithuania were established. After Vilnius University was closed, a canvas and thread bleaching factory operated in the manor. XNUMXth century in the first half of the XNUMXth century, Countess Ana Barbara Olimpija Radvilaitė-Mostovska, the daughter of LDK chamberlain Stanislaus Radvila, who was famous for her wit and quirks, lived in the neoclassical palace, who wrote the short story about "Pilaitė's ghost".
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And what's interesting In Pilaite could we see today? Pilaitė differs from other micro-districts of the capital, first of all, in its geographical location - the micro-district is located on a unique island. You can get to Pilaitė after crossing a few kilometers of wasteland, beyond which gray high-rise buildings with a great belt of trees on the hills welcome you. Pilaitė was created according to the Western model - when building houses, they tried to think about the communities of residents, to create cozy spaces. For this reason, Pilaitė stands out for its design, closed courtyards are installed here - recreation and playgrounds are located in the area surrounded by three or four apartment buildings. Some of the streets of the micro-district are named after famous places and people of Lithuania Minor.
Pilaitė is also unique in nature, it is one of the most picturesque areas of Vilnius. After a walk around the surroundings, you can swim in the Gilužis and Salote lakes, admire the banks of the fast-flowing Sudervėlė stream, see picturesque morainic hills pushed by glaciers, and water-washed pear trees. In Pilaite, you can still visit two mounds, the buildings of the former Pilaite manor homestead, and the park. Near the former manor and Sudervėlė ponds, there is a restored mill, mills and other ancient devices can be seen in its yard, and inside there is an exhibition of old water mill equipment.
For your attention, the electronic version of the publication:
