Vilnius - Aušros vartai

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of about 600.000. Before WWII, Vilnius was one of the largest Jewish centers in Europe which led to the nickname "the Jerusalem of the North".

The city was first mentioned in written sources as Vilna in 1323 as the capital city of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, built a wooden castle on a hill in the city. The city became more widely known after he wrote a circular letter of invitation to Germans and Jews to the principal Hansa towns in 1325, offering free access into his domains to men of every order and profession. At this time Vilnius was facing raids of the Teutonic Order, although they never captured the castle, large portions of the town were burned down between 1365 and 1383. English king Henry IV spent the full year of 1390 supporting the unsuccessful siege of Vilnius by Teutonic Knights with his 300 fellow knights.

Between 1503 and 1522, the city was surrounded by a city wall to protect it from Crimean Tatar attacks. The city reached the peak of its development during the reign of Sigismund II. Augustus, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, settled here in 1544. After the foundation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569, the city experienced a further boom, as Stephen Báthory, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, founded the Jesuit College of Vilnius (= Vilnius University) in 1579. The university soon developed into one of the most important scientific and cultural centers in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The name "Gate of Dawn" or this city gate appeared in the early 20th century. Sounds romantic, but since the gate does not face east, is questionary. Other names are "Pointed Gate" and "Medininkai Gate" as the road from the gate led to the village of Medininkai, 30 kilometers from Vilnius.

At the beginning of the 16th century, Vilnius was fortified with a city wall by a joint decision of the Bishop of Vilnius and the City Council. As early as October 1503, the bishop was able to solemnly inaugurate the wall, which encompassed the entire city.

The gate itself was built in Gothic style from 1503 to 1522. The exterior of the gate was decorated in the upper part with a relief showing the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the so-called Vytis. This is a white equestrian figure on a dark background, carrying a shield on which is depicted a cross with two crossbars.

Seen here is the southern side of the gate. Why the gate developed into a major pilgrim spot can be seen from the other side.