Gediminas Castle Tower

This symbol of Vilnius can be seen from many places in the Old Town and is depicted in all kinds of works of art. Climb Gediminas Hill, or go even higher to the viewing platform of Gediminas Castle Tower, and the most wonderful panoramas of Vilnius and golden sunsets open up before you. The red roofs of Vilnius, church towers and narrow lanes look stunning. Inside Gediminas Castle Tower you will find a historical exhibition of reconstruction models of the Vilnius castles, weaponry and old views of Vilnius. Gediminas Castle Tower is the only surviving fortification tower of the Upper Castle. Legend has it that the Grand Duke dreamt of an Iron Wolf howling on the hill, foretelling a great city. First a wooden castle was built here; later, in 1409, Vytautas the Great built a brick castle. When the castle lost its purpose and fell into ruin, Gediminas Castle Tower was put to various uses – in 1838 the first telegraph in Vilnius was set up here. A century ago the Lithuanian flag was raised at the top of the tower for the first time. The Vilnius Castle Museum opened in 1960, and in 1968 it became a branch of the National Museum of Lithuania.