Gates of Dawn, Vilnius

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.