Gediminas Tower, Vilnius (must see)

Gediminas Tower is one of Vilnius's most visible and iconic landmarks. The tower was featured on the previous national currency and is mentioned in folk songs and poems.

Gediminas Tower was part of the Upper Castle, which was originally a wooden structure built in the 14th century. A popular legend says that Grand Duke Gediminas built the wooden castle due to a dream. Gediminas saw an iron wolf howling on top of the area's tallest hill in the dream. An interpreter said the dream meant a great city would be built on the hill. Gediminas built the tower, and the city became Vilnius.

In 1409, a brick castle replaced the wooden castle. Today, the Gediminas Tower is all that remains from the original castle. The tower has been used for many different purposes. In 1838, it became the city's first telegraph building. Polish architect Jan Borowski rebuilt the tower in 1933 and restored the upper floors.

Gediminas Tower is part of the National Museum of Lithuania. Visitors can see exhibitions about the city's history and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The museum features models of Vilnius castles from prior centuries and exhibits showing archeological findings from the area.

The museum displays military items and Baltic jewelry. An interactive exhibition shows a Crusaders attack. Another exhibit shows information about the Baltic Way, when two million people joined hands between Vilnius and Tallinn to protest against the Soviet Union.

Visitors can climb to the observation area to see panoramic views of Vilnius.