Old Town - part 2 (East part) - St Anne's Church/Bernardine Church, Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church, Maironio street, Literatu Street

Vilnius has one of Europe's largest Old Towns, Senamiestis, that has been a UNESCO Heritage site since 1994. It is the heart of Vilnius city center, and is filled with historic churches and other buildings, many of them in baroque and neo-classicist style with white exteriors, making the Old Town look very light and elegants. The buildings in the Old Town (Senamiestis) are in a much better shape then in many other parts of the city.

In the East part you find Maironio street, where 3 important churches are situated just within a few blocks, and two built together as an ensemble. St Anne's Church and Bernardine Church are two important red brick Roman Catholic churches, both in gothic style. The Vilnius Marathon was going on so we had to run through the street between the runners to get to the churches! St Anne's Church, consecrated in the year 1500, is one of the most famous buildings in Vilnius and the exterior is almost unchanged since then. Michael Enkinger, the architect, also designed a church with the same name in Warsaw. It is said that Napoleon, during the Franco-Russian war, thought that the church was so beautiful that he wanted to carry the church home. Church of St Francis and St Bernard, or just Bernardine Church is connected to St Anne's Church. It is also a gothic roman catholic church just like St Anne's but it is larger then it's sister church despite being less famous. Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church (also called Orthodox Cathedral of the Theotokos), is a nearby white Russian-orthodox church built in the 1340s.

Literatu gatve (Literatu street) is a short street that leads from Pillies St to Maironio street. The street has walls that are dedicated to famous writers and poets, related to Lithuanian litterature, with tiles with pictures and poems. It was introduced in 2009, but the street has an old history as street with bookstores, "literatu" means "writers". Literatu street is a popular place to visit for tourists and students.

St Anne's Church and Bernardine Church ensemble seen from Marionio street. The Vilnius Marathon was going on so we had to run through the street between the runners to get to the churches! St Anne's Church is a roman catholic church in gothic style, consecrated in the year 1500. It is one of the most famous buildings in Vilnius and the exterior is almost unchanged since then. Michael Enkinger, the architect, also designed a church with the same name in Warsaw. It is said that Napoleon, during the Franco-Russian war, thought the church was so beautiful that he wanted to carry the church home. Marathon in front of St Anne's Church/Bernardine Church at Maironio street. St Anne's Church is a red brick gothic church, one of two in the ensemble. St Anne's Church 007 St Anne's Church 008 St Anne's Church 009 St Anne's Church, interior. The organist was playing during our visit. St Anne's Church 011 St Anne's Church 012 St Anne's Church 013 Bernardine Church 001 Church of St Francis and St Bernard, or just Bernardine Church is connected to St Anne's Church. It is also a gothic roman catholic church just like St Anne's but it is larger then it's sister church despite being less famous. Bernardine Church 003 Bernardine Church 004 Bernardine Church 005 Bernardine Church 006 Bernardine Church 007 Bernardine Church 008 Maironiogatve towards another church. Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church (also called Orthodox Cathedral of the Theotokos), built in the 1340s. Here seen from Maironiogatve. Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church Vilnius Marathon 2015, Maironiogatve. Vilnius Marathon 2015, Maironiogatve. Vilnius Marathon 2015, Maironiogatve. Vilnius Marathon 2015, Maironiogatve. Vilnius Marathon 2015, Maironiogatve. A. Mickevičiaus skveras (square). Maironiogatve towards Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church Memorial at A. Mickevičiaus square. Vilnia River Maironiogatve towards Bernardine Church Statue outside St Anne's Church. Near St Anne's Church. Literatu gatve (Literatu street) is a short street that leads from Pillies St to Maironio street. The street has walls that are dedicated to famous writers and poets. It was introduced in 2009, but the street has an old history as street with bookstores, literatu means writers. Literatu gatve (Literatu street) is a short street that leads from Pillies St to Maironio street. The street has walls that are dedicated to famous writers and poets, related to Lithuanian litterature. It was introduced in 2009, but the street has an old history as street with bookstores, literatu means writers. Literatu gatve (Literatu street) is a short street that leads from Pillies St to Maironio street. The street has walls that are dedicated to famous writers and poets, related to Lithuanian litterature. It was introduced in 2009, but the street has an old history as street with bookstores, literatu means writers. Literatu gatve, a popular place for students and tourists. Literatu gatve 004 Literatu gatve 005 Literatu gatve 006 Literatu gatve 007 Literatu gatve 009 Literatu gatve 010 Literatu gatve 011 Literatu gatve 012 Literatu gatve 013 Literatu gatve 014 Literatu gatve 015 Literatu gatve 016 Literatu gatve towards Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church on Maironiogatve.