Vilnius' Užupis district has transformed from a neglected area into one of only four prestigious locations in the capital in three decades. Architect and urban planner Tadas Jonauskis revealed five reasons why many people would like to live here today.
City center surrounded by nature
Located in the very center of Vilnius Uzhupis stands out for the abundance of nature surrounding it. The area of just 0,6 sq. kilometers is surrounded by the Vilnelė River, and on the other side – 33 hectares of land Mountain park, which has an event stage, is surrounded by the hills of Three Crosses, Tables, Gediminas' Tomb and Békéš.
Užupis residents spend their time in the district's numerous squares, on the banks of the Vilnelė River or in the nearby Bernardinų Garden. In just a few minutes' walk from Užupis, you can reach the Old Town of Vilnius, Kūdrai Park or the renewed Paupis district, and across Olandų Street you will find the Lyglaukiai Geomorphological Reserve and Pavilniai Regional Park with Belmont.
"In Užupi "There is a lot of nature here. Here you can find many squares, public squares, parks and other public spaces where you can spend time outdoors, get to know the city and other people. Small streets, a small, human scale, very close to the old town, create a lot of surprises, discoveries. Here, it seems, life is slower, simpler and cozier," says the urban planner.
The Užupis community is actively involved in the maintenance of the district's green areas, organizing helpers. Every spring, in the second oldest cemetery in the capital, Bernardinų Cemetery, Siberian hyacinths bloom, and this blue sea of flowers attracts thousands of Vilnius residents and city guests.
The most creative community in Vilnius
The beginning of the revival of Užupis can be attributed to the construction of the new building of the Academy of Arts in 1981, which attracted many creatively-minded young people to the area. However, the great renaissance of the area is considered to be 1998, when the people of Užupis declared themselves the "Independent Republic of Užupis" with its own constitution, flag, anthem, and even the symbolic EuroUža currency.
The creatively active community of Užupis initiated the sculpture of the Angel of Užupis in 2002, which has become a symbol of the district, and in the same year the Užupis Art Incubator opened its doors, becoming a center of attraction for locals and tourists. In 2010, the Tibetan Square was opened nearby, and the Dalai Lama XIV, who had visited here a little earlier, was granted the title of Honorary Citizen of Užupis.
Every year on April 1, the people of Užupis celebrate their "Neprigulmybės" (Independence) Day, during which a procession of residents and artists takes place, and the bridges are transformed into customs houses. Having created unique traditions, the community takes care of the cultural life and aesthetic environment of Užupis, thus symbolizing creative freedom and independence from traditional norms.
"Užupis has a unique atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else, and its rich history and strong community give a great sense of pride to those who live here. A narrative of Užupis was created - a historical part of the city where unique and unexpected things happen. Over time, the district has been filled with various people - young artists, students, wealthy businessmen, and families have appeared alongside the old-timers," says architect-urban planner Tadas Jonauskis.
Apartment prices in Užupis have almost tripled in 10 years
Real estate project development and management companiesGO According to data from Development, the value of housing in Užupis has almost tripled over the past decade, making the district one of the best real estate investments in the city.
According to EIKA Development, the average price of new housing in Užupis has increased from 10 euros to 2 euros per sq m over the past 030 years. Despite this, Užupis remains a more affordable choice than Old town, where the average price per square meter is 950 euros higher.
"Both Užupis and Žvėrynas can offer an ideal balance of transportation and nature, so it is not surprising that housing here is in great demand. Seeing the attractiveness of the districts, the trends of the last decade and the decreasing number of projects under development, it is easy to predict that housing will become an excellent financial investment in the future," states Tomas Žiaugra, Head of the Development Department at EIKA Development.
Užupis has been rediscovered not only by investors, but also by hundreds of young families who have settled in newly developed projects. Most of them, such as the new low-rise housing quarter "Užupios personos" being developed by the company, strive to offer unique housing to newcomers that would reflect the creative spirit of the district and blend naturally into the hilly territory.
According to urban planning expert Tadas Jonauskis, the popularity of Užupis testifies to the changing desires and lifestyle of Vilnius residents, who value the convenience of the location for all family members, while trying to minimize parking in traffic jams.
"There are not many districts that have a historical character and are still expanding, so when new projects appear, everyone wants to move in as soon as possible. People's lifestyle and assessment of their home area have also changed: more and more people want to live in the center, where they don't need a car, they can move around on foot or by bike, all services are nearby, grown-up children can move around independently, there are many opportunities to be outdoors, do sports, relax, and enjoy the city," adds the urban planner.
A story dating back to the Middle Ages
One of the oldest suburbs of Vilnius, mentioned in written sources as early as the 15th century, when the Bernardine monastery was founded here. Named for its location "beyond the river", Užupis remained outside the capital's defensive walls, making living here much cheaper than in the city.
The area has long been known as a district of craftsmen and artisans, where priests, merchants, artists and various workers made their living. Užupis once had a large Jewish community, and most of them were engaged in trade - there were shops, brickyards, lime kilns, mills, various factories and leather and paper workshops.
The formation of Užupis was greatly influenced by frequent fires, which destroyed a significant part of the historical wooden buildings, but perhaps the face of the district changed most after World War II. With the advent of the Soviet era, Užupis became a rather neglected district with houses lacking public services and unmaintained streets, which is why it gained a bad reputation in the eyes of Vilnius residents.
After Lithuania regained its independence, everything changed radically again: this place fell in love with artists, thanks to whom Užupis became a world-famous symbol of Vilnius' bohemia and art, and over three decades the district grew into one of only four prestigious locations in the capital.
Everything you need and more
Užupis has maintained its authentic image of brick and wooden residential courtyards since the beginning of the 20th century. Due to its unique history, architecture, and the cultural, artistic, and social movement of its active community that began almost three decades ago, the district is often compared to Montmartre in Paris and Christiania in Copenhagen.
The central axis of Užupis is considered to be the angel sculpture standing at the intersection of Malūnai, Paupis and Užupis streets, which has become a popular meeting place. The district is characterized by an abundance of sculptures, paintings and other art installations, numerous art galleries and museums, unique shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, several grocery stores, and an improvisational theater space.
The district has Užupis Gymnasium and Petras Vileišis Progymnasium, the Department of Architecture of the Vilnius Academy of Arts, a medical center, pharmacies, a church, many beauty salons and other service areas, and children's playgrounds. As many as six bridges lead from Užupis Republic "to Vilnius", and in the eastern part of the district there is easy access to Olandų or Steponas Batoras streets.
"The center is always the most convenient place for families to live. Here you can find many necessary functions, everything is within walking distance, so children are not tied to their parents' transportation and develop independence quite early. Užupis has the character of an old town, but its own unique history and strong community," emphasizes T. Jonauskis.
