Town Hall and Town Hall Square, Vilnius

Vilnius has had a town hall since 1432. The original building was Gothic but has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. The previous town hall had a tower that the well known Lithuanian architect Laurynas Gucevičius tried to save. However, the tower collapsed, and the city decided to build a new town hall.

Laurynas Gucevičius studied architectural design in France. His works include the Vilnius Cathedral, the town hall and the summer palace of bishops in Verkiai. The current town hall dates to 1799. It has been a central part of city life for centuries. The building has been used as a theatre and hosted Vilnuis' first opera performance. Furthermore, it hosted the merchant's society, shops, the treasury, and a prison.

Today, Town Hall is used for events and concerts, and visitors can tour Town Hall's catacombs.

Town Hall Square hosts various events, including fairs and concerts. In the past, this was the site of citizen punishment, bear performances, and markets.

The square is large and open, and is beautifully lit at night. Residents and visitors often gather around the large fountain in the square’s center. The square is decorated for the winter holidays with a large Christmas tree. In addition, Town Hall Square has several examples of the Vilnius coat of arms, which features St. Christopher.