Republic of Užupis

Užupis is an artists' republic, sometimes compared to Montmartre in Paris or Christiania in Copenhagen. It is famous for its own anthem, a constitution that you can read at the start of Paupio Street (it is written on a fence), a president and a bishop; here lies one of the oldest cemeteries in Vilnius, the Bernardine Cemetery, two churches stand here, and the whole is crowned by the bronze Užupis Angel. It is one of the oldest districts of Vilnius, mentioned in historical sources as early as the 16th century. In the old days many windmills turned their sails here; it was a poor suburb inhabited mostly by craftsmen, and at one time there was even a red-light district nearby. Today Užupis is one of the most prestigious and expensive districts of Vilnius. The name Užupis itself means "the place beyond the river". The Vilnia river, often called by its other name, Vilnelė, is an inseparable part of Užupis. So it is no surprise that another symbol of Užupis is a bronze mermaid, also known as the Užupis Maiden. She is the work of sculptor Romas Vilčiauskas and sits in a niche on the Vilnia embankment. It is said that she is the one who lures people from all over the world to Užupis. And those who cannot resist her charms stay in Užupis forever. In Soviet times Užupis was badly neglected and earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous districts of Vilnius. Over time, artists began to settle in its cheap houses – after all, the Academy of Arts was just across the bridge. Today Užupis hosts alternative fashion festivals, concerts, exhibitions, poetry readings, performances and its own original celebrations.