You can read in detail about the history, architecture and other attractions of Vilnius in the book "Sightseeing around Vilnius: micro-districts of the city". This is a publication about almost 60 areas of Vilnius. Information is provided about 21 boroughs of Vilnius (Antakalni, Fabijoniškes, Grigiške, Justiniške, Karoliniške, etc.) and smaller areas belonging to them. The texts of this book are mainly summaries of publications prepared using the works of various authors who wrote about Vilnius. They are indicated in the bibliography accompanying each text. The publication is illustrated with today's photos and old iconography, preserved in Lithuanian museums and libraries. The book is intended for schoolchildren and anyone interested in the city.
Vilnius is always different - romantic in the streets of its old town, dreamy in Vilnius In Užupi, reaching cloud in Šnipiškės, windy Fabijoniškės, mysterious Markučiai... Vilnius hides so many secrets and undiscovered places. Let's look around Vilnius together.
Cry
Verkiai is one of the oldest and most beautiful areas of Vilnius, the territory of which was inhabited already in the IV-II millennium BC. The treasures found here testify to the ancient origin of the area. Arab coins minted in 896-943 were found in the vicinity of Verkii, in a black clay cup.
In historical sources, the beginning of Lamentations is associated with the turn of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, during the time of the mythological prince Šventaragis. The first inhabitants of the area were pagans who lit sacred fire in the forests. It is believed that in the vicinity of Verkių, in the eagle's nest of a hundred-year-old oak tree, a crying newborn was found, who later became the chief kuri of Lithuania, Lizdeika. Remembering the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (LDK), it was the priest Lizdeika who explained to Duke Gediminas his dream about the Iron Wolf. Today, on the site of the old Lizdeika temple (alka), the guardians of the Balti faith, worshiping the old gods, gather at the symbolic altar. Hymns are sung here, couples get married according to ancient rites, and children are blessed.
Verkiai is one of the oldest manors in Lithuania. Until the 10th century At the end of the 1633th century, the area around Verkii was ruled by the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. The area commemorates several historical events. Verkiai belonged to the first ring of the Vilnius defense system, which surrounded the city in a radius of 1639 km. Vytautas' battles with the crusaders took place here, Vytautas and Skirgaila fought for the throne between Verkii and Šeškinė hills. After the baptism of Lithuania, Verkiai became the permanent residence of the bishops of Vilnius. in 1705 and in XNUMX The King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vladislaus Vaza visited the Palace of Weeping in XNUMX. - Tsar Peter I of Russia.
Weeping mill
1888th century help - 1900th century In the middle of the XNUMXth century, during the time of Bishop Igna Jokūbs Masalskis and Dukes Wittgenstein, the area became one of the most prominent cultural centers of the city of Vilnius. The entire Vilnius aristocracy of that time gathered in the concerts and theater performances organized by the manor. The poets Adomas Mickevičius and Julijs Slovackis used to visit here. The palace housed a collection of valuable art treasures, a screw-down mechanical organ played in the winter garden, and popular opera melodies of the time sounded. Secret meetings of the masonic lodge were held in the pavilion of Verkiau Manor, in the hall and basement of the former central palace. The everyday life of Veerki is depicted in XNUMX-XNUMX. in the albums of the manager of the palace, Johan Hiksas, who photographed the mansion and its inhabitants, which are kept in the National Museum of Lithuania.
Did you know that the Palace of Weeping can be seen in a TV movie by American director Rob Gardner (JAV, History TV channel) Black Plague? The events that took place in the palace of the King of England were in 2004. filmed in Verkiau Manor.
Today, most of the buildings of the Verkii ensemble belong to the Institute of Botany. Since 1976 the eastern office is called the Chamber of Scientists. The evening office is adapted to the laboratories of the institute. The Pavilniai and Verkiau Regional Parks Directorate is now located in the pavilion at the entrance to the park. Have you heard that the park specialists located in the pavilion try not to stay here in the evenings, to finish their work on time? The building is said to feature…
Water Mill
The Weeping Manor attracts visitors not only by its history, but also by the wonderful nature that surrounds the palace from all sides. On the steep slopes of Mount Verkii there are impressive oaks several hundred years old with a trunk diameter of about 1,5 m, nearby is the Neris river. 1840th century at the end of the XNUMXth century, a large manor park was established in this area, consisting of the lower and upper parks. The great park connected all the elements of the manor: the Neris valley, the mountain castle and the palace, surrounded by a system of canals, ponds with mills and waterfalls. Around XNUMX the park was replanned: the territory of the upper park was reduced, the central parterre was leveled, a fountain was installed in it, and a road was built.
Verkiau manor homestead and Verkiau Park are widely visited by Vilnius residents and guests of the city of Vilnius. The ensemble of poems includes surviving 23th-XNUMXth century works. valuable buildings built: two palace offices, a pavilion, a drive-in house, an administrative building (tavern), a post office, a servant's house, a cowshed, cowsheds, a cloister, conservatories, a water tower, a water mill, an ice cream parlor, a boiler room. Nature lovers can take a walk along the natural treasure trail, where you can orient yourself according to the signs of nature - trees, plants, their shapes, world directions. Every year on June XNUMX The Dew Festival is celebrated in the Weeping Park. In August, the Night of Bats is celebrated in Verkii...
