Uzupis district- Vilnius, Lithuania

This is a part of Vilnius that we absolutely loved. Having read about it on some VT-ers' pages, I simply had to see the statue of the Angel of Uzupis so we drove to it straight from our visit to Sts Peter and Paul's Church. Already driving down Kriviu St - Uzupis is situated on a hill - we could see some lovely old wooden houses but couldn't stop to take a picture. Then, miraculously (I suspect the Angel may have had something to do with it), we saw a free parking space and decided to continue our sightseeing on foot. We walked down the street, in turn admiring the view of the city it commanded and looking into every nook and cranny. The houses lining the street fell into two categories - many were obviously old but recently done up, a few were ruined and with bricked up windows. Looking into some cobbled courtyards, you would think you stepped back into the 19th century but for the cars parked there. A gate between two houses suddenly revealed a small church at the back. It was all so relaxed, not to say provincial - a young man sitting on the steps of a house, another enjoying a drink in the street cafe, no one seemed to be in a hurry and we were the only tourists here. Soon a bend in the road revealed the statue of the angel. We thought it was lovely. Standing there on an 8 metre high column, she blew her horn, perhaps announcing better times for Uzupis and for the whole of Vilnius.
Separated from the town by the river Vilnele, Uzupis was once a suburb of Vilnius inhabited by craftsmen, especially weavers, and tradesmen, and here were the royal mills. The first records of the district date back to the 16th century.
After WWII the majority of the local people repatriated to Poland. The new settlers were brought here by the Soviets and an era of neglect and destruction set in. It is only now that the houses are being restored, some by the nouveau riche but many by artists who have come to appreciate the charm of the place and have been setting up their studios and galleries there. This badly neglected but beautiful part of Vilnius can now look forward to a brighter future.
For more pictures and information on Uzupis see my general tip and travelogue.

Uzupis district, Vilnius

Vilnius Hotels

Uzupis district, Vilnius

Visiting Vilnius?

Visiting Vilnius?

Vilnius Hotels