Vilnius city wall
Encyclopedia
The Vilnius city wall was a defensive wall
around Vilnius
, capital city of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
. It was built between 1503 and 1522 for protection from the attacks by the Crimean Khanate
at the beginning of the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
. The stone and brick wall was a key element of the defensive system of Vilnius, and was paid for by the city's landowners. It contained nine gates and an artillery bastion. Some of the original constructions have survived.
An artillery bastion was built to protect the eastern side of the city. It is currently a museum of militaria
from Vilnius and is under renovation.
Following the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian
government ordered to tear down most of the wall and all the gates, except the Gate of Dawn
. Some parts of the wall are still visible throughout the Old Town of Vilnius or are going to be restored and displayed.
Defensive wall
A defensive wall is a fortification used to protect a city or settlement from potential aggressors. In ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements...
around Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
, capital city of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
. It was built between 1503 and 1522 for protection from the attacks by the Crimean Khanate
Crimean Khanate
Crimean Khanate, or Khanate of Crimea , was a state ruled by Crimean Tatars from 1441 to 1783. Its native name was . Its khans were the patrilineal descendants of Toqa Temür, the thirteenth son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan...
at the beginning of the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
The Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars The conflicts are referred to as 'Muscovite wars' in Polish historiography and as 'Lithuanian wars' in Russian one; English historiography uses both, ex...
. The stone and brick wall was a key element of the defensive system of Vilnius, and was paid for by the city's landowners. It contained nine gates and an artillery bastion. Some of the original constructions have survived.
- Subačius Gate was built at the end of what is now Holly Spirit street.
- Spas Gate was built near the Vilnia RiverVilnia RiverVilnia is a river in Lithuania. Its source is near the village of Vindžiūnai, 5 km south of Šumskas, at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. The Vilnia is 79.6 km long and its basin covers 624 sq. km...
in the eastern side of cityVilnius Old TownThe Old Town of Vilnius , one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe, has an area of 3.59 square kilometres . It encompasses 74 quarters, with 70 streets and lanes numbering 1487 buildings with a total floor area of 1,497,000 square meters...
. - Wet Gate stood near Cathedral Square in Vilnius.
- Tatar Gate stood at the corner of Liejykla and Totoriai street.
- Vilija Gate stood at the corner of Vilnius and Bernardinai street.
- Trakai Gate was built at the corner of Trakai and Pylimas streets. It was the main gate of the city and contained (as did the Gate of DawnGate of DawnThe Gate of Dawn is a city-gate of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.- History :It was built between 1503 and 1522 as a part of defensive fortifications for the city of Vilnius, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania...
) a chapel. - Rūdininkai Gate stood at the end of the Rūdininkai street.
- Medininkai GateGate of DawnThe Gate of Dawn is a city-gate of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.- History :It was built between 1503 and 1522 as a part of defensive fortifications for the city of Vilnius, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania...
guarded the entrance to the southern part of the city. It is now known as the Gate of Dawn.
An artillery bastion was built to protect the eastern side of the city. It is currently a museum of militaria
Militaria
Militaria are artifacts or replicas of military, police, etc., collected for their historical significance. Such antiques include firearms, swords, knives, and other weapons such as; uniforms, helmets, other military headgear, and armour; military orders and decorations; challenge coins and...
from Vilnius and is under renovation.
Following the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
government ordered to tear down most of the wall and all the gates, except the Gate of Dawn
Gate of Dawn
The Gate of Dawn is a city-gate of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.- History :It was built between 1503 and 1522 as a part of defensive fortifications for the city of Vilnius, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania...
. Some parts of the wall are still visible throughout the Old Town of Vilnius or are going to be restored and displayed.