Republic of Užupis

Vilnius

Copyright: Bernt Rostad/Wikimedia Commons
DESTINATIONS lithuania vilnius Do & See Republic of Užupis

Republic of Užupis

The Užupis district is sometimes compared to Montmartre in Paris or Christiania in Copenhagen. It is a self-declared republic of artists. The district has its own president, constitution (displayed on the wall on Paupio Street), anthem, military, day of celebration (April Fool's Day) and a guardian (the bronze angel). Užupis stands for creativity and uniqueness.

Do & See

No trip to Vilnius is complete without a visit to the self-declared Republic of Užupis, just across the sparkling river Vilnia, and behind the spectacular red Gothic façade of St. Anne’s Church. Just be sure not to miss the prominently displayed constitution (it is in Lithuanian, French, and English) which states, among other things, that: “Every dog has the right to be a dog”. Other places of special interest include Vilnius University, the Hill of Three Crosses, the Gates of Dawn, the Presidential Palace, the Town Hall, Ponar Memorial, and Kalvariijų market, not to mention countless other museums, galleries, churches and statues. Just one thing is certain when it comes to Vilnius: one visit is never enough.