Gates of Dawn, Vilnius

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5 Stars - 38 Reviews

Ausros Vartu st. 12
  The Gate of Dawn
by ValbyDK
 
  • The Gate of Dawn
      The Gate of Dawn
    by ValbyDK
  • The Gate of Dawn
      The Gate of Dawn
    by ValbyDK
  • Gate of Dawn, Vilnius
      Gate of Dawn, Vilnius
    by antistar
  •   Gates of Dawn
    by fachd
  • The Old Gate
      The Old Gate
    by fachd
  •   Gates of Dawn
    by fachd
  • Holy shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary
      Holy shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    by HORSCHECK
  • Gates of Dawn
      Gates of Dawn
    by HORSCHECK
  • Chapel exterior
      Chapel exterior
    by leics
 
  • ValbyDK's Profile Photo

    Gate of Dawn

    by ValbyDK Written Apr 8, 2013 661 reviews
    The Gate of Dawn
    1 more image

    The Gate of Dawn (Medininkai Gate) is an old city-gate which was built in 1522 as part of the city's defensive walls. There used to be nine gates in total, but the others were destroyed at the end of the 18th century.

    Inside the Gate of Dawn is a chapel (I didn't visit) containing an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy. It is said to have magic powers, and has been a symbol of Vilnius for centuries.

    Related to:
    • Historical Travel
    • Arts and Culture
    Was this review helpful?
  • Askla's Profile Photo

    Ausros vartai, or the Gate of Dawn.

    by Askla Updated Dec 20, 2012 686 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    2 more images

    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.

    Related to:
    • Architecture
    • Historical Travel
    Was this review helpful?
  • fachd's Profile Photo

    Religious importance

    by fachd Written Oct 7, 2012 554 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    2 more images

    The Gates of Dawn was built in the 16th century as a part of defensive fortifications for the city of Vilnius. It has significant history of religious importance with the miracle painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy. The believers believe it can perform miracle and heal sickness. The Russian spared the gate because they were afraid of the blessed painting but they destroyed the other fortified gates. The painting is beautiful and you can see it from outside. Today the gate is a pilgrimage site where many people from all over the world come to visits.

    Related to:
    • Museum Visits
    • Arts and Culture
    • Photography
    Was this review helpful?
  • antistar's Profile Photo

    Gate of Dawn

    by antistar Written Jul 14, 2012 2436 reviews
    Gate of Dawn, Vilnius

    Medieval city gates were commonly built with a religious relic to bolster their defence, at least in the mind of the locals. Things like a fragment of the true cross, a reliquary from the crown on thorns or hair of the Virgin Mary would be built into the gates in the hope of gaining favour from God. In Vilnius they went a step further, building an entire chapel into the gate, around an icon of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy, one believed to have miraculous powers.

    The gate was built at the beginning of the 16th century, and is the only one of the nine city gates remaining - the others were all pulled down.

    Was this review helpful?
  • leics's Profile Photo

    No pipers.......but remember to look up!

    by leics Updated Aug 31, 2010 2287 reviews

    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Facing the 'New Town'
    4 more images

    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.

    Related to:
    • Architecture
    • Historical Travel
    • Religious Travel
    Was this review helpful?
  • Raimix's Profile Photo

    Another side of Gate of Dawn

    by Raimix Updated Dec 16, 2008 1552 reviews

    4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    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.

    Related to:
    • Architecture
    • Arts and Culture
    • Historical Travel
    Was this review helpful?
  • Raimix's Profile Photo

    Ausros Vartai - Gate of Dawn

    by Raimix Updated Dec 16, 2008 1552 reviews

    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    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.

    Related to:
    • Historical Travel
    • Arts and Culture
    • Architecture
    Was this review helpful?
  • MikeAtSea's Profile Photo

    The Gates of Dawn

    by MikeAtSea Written Apr 7, 2008 2923 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    The Gates of Dawn
    3 more images

    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.

    Related to:
    • Architecture
    • Arts and Culture
    • Historical Travel
    Was this review helpful?
  • dek516's Profile Photo

    Gates of Dawn

    by dek516 Written Mar 1, 2008 156 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    A close-up of the chapel
    1 more image

    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.

    Related to:
    • Historical Travel
    Was this review helpful?
  • evaanna's Profile Photo

    The Gates of Dawn

    by evaanna Updated Nov 16, 2007 1274 reviews

    4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Gates of Dawn
    3 more images

    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.

    Related to:
    • Architecture
    • Historical Travel
    • Religious Travel
    Was this review helpful?

Comments

Top 3 Hotels in Vilnius

Radisson SAS Astorija Hotel Vilnius  Vilnius

 8 Reviews and 143 Opinions  The Radisson Sas is one very nice hotel here in the old city. Good location where you can walk to... 

 Hotels in Vilnius

Show Prices

Neringa Hotel  Vilnius

 7 Reviews and 57 Opinions  The Neringa had a touch of the past about it, despite its modern, heavily refurbished rooms. The... 

 Hotels in Vilnius

Show Prices

Shakespeare Vilnius Hotel  Vilnius

 2 Reviews and 136 Opinions  Very good quality accomodation. Service excellent as well. We had dinner one night, and it was good... 

 Hotels in Vilnius

Show Prices
Hotels Near Gates of Dawn
4.0 out of 5 stars
73 Opinions
0 miles away
Show Prices
3.5 out of 5 stars
18 Opinions
0 miles away
Show Prices
3.5 out of 5 stars
30 Opinions
0.1 miles away
Show Prices