Gediminas' Tower

Gedimino pilies bokštas

A red-brick octagonal tower on the hilltop of the castle, a symbol of Vilnius. From the top, you can overlook the spires of the Old Town and the skyline of the New Town.

Gediminas’ Tower is the only surviving west tower of the Upper Castle. It is named after Grand Duke Gediminas, who founded Vilnius in the 14th century. Legend says that while hunting here, he dreamed of an iron wolf howling on the hilltop. A priest interpreted the dream to mean that a famous city would be built here, so he made this place his capital. The surviving tower dates from the 15th century. It is a three-story octagonal red-brick structure, restored in the 1930s. Inside is a small museum displaying a model of the castle, weapons and the city’s history. From the top platform you get a 360-degree view of the Old Town’s red rooftops and many church bell towers, the Neris River, and the high-rises of the New Town across the river. During the 1989 Baltic Way, the Lithuanian flag was raised here again, and it still flies from the tower today. To climb the hill, you can walk about 10 minutes up a stone-paved slope from near the Cathedral Square, or take the funicular. Note: the castle hill has undergone years of reinforcement work after landslides, so the opening status of some trails and the tower may change. Check the official website of the National Museum of Lithuania before your visit. Admission is about 5–10 euros (check the official website).

Gediminas' Tower

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