 | Vilnius Gates of Dawn Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 35 |  |
The Gates of Down (16th century Renaissance) originally formed part of the town fortifications. In 1671 Carmelites from St. Teresa's built a chapel in the gates to house a holy image of the Virgin Mary, reputed for miracle-working powers. The interior was refurbished in the neo-Classical style in 1829. This is a pilgrimage site for Eastern Catholics. Leave a Comment Directions: Not far from the trains station.
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It is interesting, but another side of gatesm more known as religical place, was used for defense too and it was protection mostly from Tartar attacks. This side with holes for canons shooting and with national initials of Lithuania. Leave a Comment
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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 Leave a Comment
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It used to be a part of old defence walls (built in 16th century) and is the only preserved one of the nine gates. The chapel which was to house the miraculous picture was originally built of wood, and after the fire in 1715 was replaced by the stone one. In the past the inscriptions on the facade were in Polish, but tsar governor ordered to change it into Latin 'Mater Misericordia'. The picture has been considered miraculous since 17th century. Pilgrims from Poland, Lithuania and also other countries come to worship Madonna, ask her favours or thank for graces, and they leave votives which cover the walls of the chapel.
July 2nd, 1927 was the day of Virgin's Mary coronation to the Queen of Poland. Hence two crowns on her head: one is the symbol of the Queen of Heaven, the other the Queen of Poland.
Today the Gate of Dawn is the first place the Poles come to when visiting Vilnius. The crowd is sometimes so big that it takes a long time to enter the chapel, but everyone wants to get as close as possible to the Picture. Leave a Comment Directions: Ending of Ausros Vartu street
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Looking from inside the old town you can see the chapel above the gate which houses the holy image of the Virgin Mary, the White Madonna, said to have miraculous powers. The walls of the chapel are covered by thousands of votive offerings and many pilgrims come to pray, climbing the the stairs from the road to the chapel on their knees. Leave a Comment Directions: Ending of Ausros Vartu street
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Built in the 16th century, is the only surviving gate of medieval Vilnius... it is supposed that no enemy destroyed it since inside this gate there is a sacred icon of Holy Mary, which probably "blessed" this gate.
It's nowadays a very important religious centre for Catholics, a real pilgrimage point for much people, mostly from the nearby (and ultra-Catholic) Poland. Leave a Comment Directions: Ending of Ausros Vartu street
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The Gates of Dawn are one of the symbols of the city of Vilnius. These gates are a famous Catholic shrine not only in the whole of Lithuania but also abroad. Built on the road to the city of Medininkai and originally called the Medininkai gates, they were one of the original five gates of Vilnius built together with the city wall. The three-tiered gates stand in the southern part of the Old Town, open onto M. Dauka Street, and are connected to a surviving section of the defensive wall.
The building's unique renaissance attic is decorated with a décor characteristic of that style. The main fasade of the gates is adorned with gryphons bearing the arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Beside it to the east stands part of the city wall. This is the longest section of all those remaining. Phone: tel. (+370 5) 212 30 28Directions: Ending of Ausros Vartu street
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The 16th century Gates of Dawn originally formed part of the town fortifications, being built into the original city wall. In 1671 Carmelites from neighbouring St. Theresa's built a chapel in the gates to house a holy image of the Virgin Mary, reputed for miracle-working powers. The chapel's interior was refurbished in the neo-classical style in 1829 and should not be missed. Leave a Comment Directions: If you're walking from Old Town, look for a door on the left and go up the stairs.
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The Gates of Dawn are a good place to start or end a tour of the old town, depending on the location of your hotel.
The Gates of Dawn date back to the 16th century and were part of the town fortifications, built into the original city wall. There is a chapel in the gate housing an image of the Virgin Mary said to have mircale working powers but since there were worshippers at the time of our visit we didn't go up the stairs for a visit. Leave a Comment Directions: At the south end of old town
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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. Leave a Comment Directions: End of Ausros Vartu street
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