Gediminas Avenue, Vilnius

Gediminas Avenue is the main street in Vilnius and was named to honor the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas. Gediminas was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 until his death in 1341. He is credited with founding the political entity of the country and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

The street was built in 1836 and was first called St. George Avenue. The street was named Mickiewicz Street during Polish rule from 1922 to 1939. During the Nazi occupation, it was called Adolf Hitler Street, and during Soviet rule, it was known as Stalin Avenue and then Lenin Avenue.

The area from Vilnius Cathedral to Vincas Kudirka Square was reconstructed in 2003 to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the coronation of King Mindaugas, the only recorded King of Lithuania. In the parking garage, visitors can see archeological findings discovered during the reconstruction.

Most of Lithuania's governmental institutions, including parliament and the Constitutional Court, are located along Gediminas Avenue. The street is also home to several cultural institutions, such as the Lithuanian Academy of Music, the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, and the Martynas Mazvdas National Library.

Motorized traffic is prohibited in the evening and on weekends, and Gediminas Avenue becomes pedestrian-only. The street is a popular shopping street and features a variety of restaurants. Gediminas Avenue is busy and vibrant night and day.