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The most important part of the heritage of the city of Vilnius is its culture. Not only is Vilnius a city with a rich historical cultural past, but it is also a modern and cosmopolitan capital city. The city is increasingly and persistently taking active part in cultural integration and exchange programs not only with its European counterparts, but with the entire world as well.

The history of our capital city is a reflection of the nation's past and the experiences of lives of cultures of Western and Eastern Europe. Pagan cult sites, Orthodox churches, Catholic baroque, and traces of the Jewish way of life are all witnesses to the historical multicultural life in the city and testify to the wide open history of this Eastern European city.

However, the present cultural life of the city is also lively: Vilnius organises the Days of the Capital City lasting for almost an entire month annually and the city always ensures that its guests have an abundant supply of diverse interesting events to take part in. Large-scale international festival, concerts, fashion exhibition, arts exhibitions, theatrical performances, a jazz festival, well established since 1988, cinema, as well as city masquerades and markets, are only few of the many attractions that take place in the city during the City Days.

Vilnius is also famous worldwide for its creative people. Famous musicians, actors, and theatre and cinema directors, fashion designers, ballet and sports dancers and other artists are born and raised in the city. It is not surprising that such cultural way of life is diverse and intensive. Every visiting guest to the city will surely find something to suit his or her expectations fully.
 

The Old Town, historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). The most valuable historic and cultural heritage is concentrated here. The buildings in the old town - there are about 1.5 thousand of them - were built in a number of different centuries, therefore, it is a mixture of all European architectural styles. Although Vilnius is often called a baroque city, here you will find some buildings of gothic, renaissance and other styles. The main sights of the city are the Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square, symbols of the capital. Their combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the capital. Because of its uniqueness, the Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List List in 1994.

The Vilnius coat of arms is St. Christopher (Kristupas) wading in the water and carrying the Infant Jesus on his shoulders. The coat of arms was given to the city in the seventh year of its existence, i.e. in 1330.

In pagan times, i.e. until the end of the 14 th century, the Vilnius coat of arms featured Titan Alkis, hero of Lithuanian ancient tales, carrying his wife Janterytė; on his shoulders across the river.

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