The Gate of Dawn is the only remaining gate (out of 9) from the old fortification built between 1503 and 1522 that surrounded Vilnius in the past. The Gate is nowadays a pilgrimage site. From time to time lots of people stand in front of it, looking up to the open space above the entrance, praying. Inside there is a small chapel where you'll find a picture of the Mother of Mercy. And it is said that she can make miracles!
The picture dates from the 17th century and comes from the Carmelite convent that was situated close to the city wall at that time.
Updated Sep 9, 2010
Address: Ausros Vartu gatve 12
Seeing the Gates of Dawn (Ausros Vartu) is essential, even if you are not a Pink Floyd fan.
Once there were 9 gates leading into the Old Town (which, by the way, is one of the largest in Europe). This gate is the only one which remains.
The side facing the 'New Town' is quite bare of ornament, except for the 'Vytis' sculpture (a knight on a horse) which was the symbol of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for centuries. There's also what looks like an old, recently-exposed fresco....but I can find no information on this.
Ausros Vartu is Lithuania's most important place of pilgrimage. In 1671 a chapel was built above the gate and inside is the 'Madonna of the Gates of Dawn' or 'the Madonna of Mercy', a miraculous image with a gold and silver cover.
The Madonna was probably painted in the early 1600s, although the artist is unknown.
Th windows of the chapel are opened when the weather is appropriate and you can see the Madonna quite clearly. As they walk thorough the gates, most local people turn to face her and cross themselves ( I saw many do so).
There are, I understand, more than 8000 silver votive offerings in the chapel. I did not visit because there was a service of some sort going on (I think for a visiting group of pilgrims)....but if it seems respectful to do so when you visit, I think climbing the stairs to the chapel would be well worthwhile.
Updated Aug 31, 2010
Address: Ausros Vartu st. 12
It is interesting, but another side of gates more known as religious place, was used for defence too and it was protection mostly from Tartar attacks. This side with holes for canons shooting and with national initials of Lithuania.
Updated Dec 16, 2008
Address: Ausros vartu st.
It's a religious centre of Catholics in North-East Europe. Sacred place where St Maria appeared and where was a expensive painting of St Maria. Vilnius had nine defensive gates, but this remained, because there is a chapel and no one enemy wanted to destroy it. Built in 1503-1522 with other defensive structures.
Updated Dec 16, 2008
Address: Ausros Vartu st.
This gate which is famous all over Lithuania and abroad is one of the symbols of Vilnius. Built on the road to Medininkal it was initially called Medinikal Gate and was one of the first of the five city gates built in the 16th century. It is the only one to survive. The gate is covered with the Lithuanian Coat of Arms, inside is a chapel with a miraclous image of the Virgin Mary, painted in the 17th century. In 1993 Pope John Paul II visited the chapel and prayed here.
Written Apr 7, 2008
Address: Ausros Vartu st. 12
The Gates of Dawn are half-gate, half-chapel, an interesting combination. The gate itself is part of a defensive wall that was built in the 16th century-- it is the only remaining gate out of the original nine. Above the gate is a chapel with a very famous miraculous Madonna painting. When we visited, the chapel was packed with worshipers, and more could be seen approaching the gate on their knees to pay their respects.
Written Mar 1, 2008
Address: Ausros Vartu st. 12
The Gates of Dawn are part of early 16th century fortifications and the only gate to Vilnius that is still there. The three-tiered gates stand in the southern part of the Old Town and on their outer Rennaissance facade boast an attic adorned with gryphons bearing the arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
In the Middle Ages, a holy picture would be hung on all the gates into town on the town side. The image of the Mother of Mercy that can be seen in the chapel over the gate was originally part of a diptych, i.e. two pictures that could be closed like a book. The picture is believed to have been painted by an unknown painter between 1620 and 1630 and was based on a drawing by the Flemish painter Martin de Vos.
The painting was first displayed directly on the wall but in 1627 the first wooden chapel was erected to protect it from the elements. The chapel burnt down in a fire around 1715, but the painting was saved and soon a new brick chapel was built to replace the old one. The entrance to the chapel is through the side entrance to St Theresa's church. More about the cult of the holy painting in my Local Customs tips.
Updated Nov 16, 2007
Address: Ausros Vartu St. 12
The Gates of Dawn (Ausros Vartai) used to be part of the city fortifications which were constructed in the early 16th century. Only one of the original 5 gates still exists.
It includes a little chapel which was built in 1671 by Carmelites and houses a famous holy shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Together with the "Hill of Crosses " near Siauliai, the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary are the most famous places of pilgrimage in Lithuania.
Directions:
The Gates of Dawn is situated at the southeastern end of the old town. When reaching the gate from the old town, the little
chapel with the shrine can be visited through
a door on the left side.
Address:
Gates of Dawn, Ausros Vartu 12, Vilnius
Updated Jul 15, 2007
The gates of Dawn contain a chapel to which a constant flow of visitors flock. In the chapel there is a famous pictures of Virgin Mary from the 17th century by an unknown artist. In 1993 it was visited by Pope John Paul II.
Written Jun 24, 2007
Address: Ausros Vartu st. 12
Constructed in the 16th century, the Gates of Dawn are the only gates of the original nine in Old Town Vilnius still intact. The Gates of Dawn can be found at the top of Vilnius’ oldest street, Ausros Vartu gatve.
Written Jun 21, 2007
Address: Ausros Vartu st. 12
Sponsored Links
Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel Vilnius Vilnius
8 Reviews and 101 Opinions The Radisson Sas is one very nice hotel here in the old city. Good location where you can walk to...
Shakespeare Vilnius Hotel Vilnius
2 Reviews and 78 Opinions Very good quality accomodation. Service excellent as well. We had dinner one night, and it was good...
Novotel Vilnius Vilnius
2 Reviews and 190 Opinions The Novotel was an excellent choice. Although part of the huge Accord chain, the staff made it feel...
Ausros Vartu st. 12
Gates of Dawn tips and photos posted by real travelers and Vilnius locals.
Write a Review
Constructed in the 16th century, the Gates of Dawn are the only gates of the original nine in Old Town Vilnius still intact. The Gates of Dawn can be found at...
346 members live in Vilnius

Q: Hi. I posted this question about two hours ago and now it's gone from the forum. I received an email that a person has answered it...

A: I'm afraid I don't know why your previous Vilnius post is no longer showing, but the 'disappeared' reply will almost cetainly have been from a spammer or advertiser who...
Read 7 Replies
1
Very friendly, very historical and inexpensive :-)

I found Vilnius unique city of fascinating past and great future, I am sure, now; city full of hundreds places to discover (believe or not I didn't touch even half!). City of great multicultural,...
2

I already had the idea of visiting Vilnius on my first trip through the Baltics in July 2002, but cancelled the Lithuania part as I was busy enough with Estonia and Latvia at that time. In August...
3

Mix of cultures - it is nice to say about Vilnius like about cosmopolitan city in mostly all history of this town. Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, Jewish and other cultural influences shaped this......
4

I had great expectations for Vilnius before going there; usually it's a bit underrated compared to Tallinn and Riga, so I expected to find there less tourists, and in fact it was great to go around......
5
Vilnius - my grandparents' love

I have been thinking of visiting Vilnius for a long time. I remember my grandparents speaking of it with love: my grandmother had spent a lot of time there as a child. Having lost her father at the......
Build your own Vilnius page
Sponsored Links