If you were
an attentive student in high school you would remember two important dates in
polish history. Those are 1569 and 1791. The first one reefers to The Union of
Lublin and the second one refers to the Reciprocal Guarantee of two Nations
adopted by the Great Sejm (Sejm Wielki in Polish). This two historical events
leaded to create a single state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth which
replaced the personal union between this two countries. That is why some places
in Lithuania have a special sentimental meaning for our Polish nation.
Firstly, I
think that everybody knows the words of this famous invocation:
Lithuania, my country! You are as good health:
How much one should prize you, he only can tell
Who has lost you. Your beauty and splendor I view
And describe here today, for I long after you [...]
Yes, this
words comes from the national epic “Pan Tadeusz” written by Adam Mickiewicz.
Maybe you won’t believe but the first edition of his book - “Ballads and
romances” - was printed in 1822 in Vilnius. Today we can also find there a
museum dedicated to our poet.
Vilnius is
the only one capital In Europe which is situated in the middle of two
historical civilisations – Latin and Byzantine. This is the reason why this
beautiful city is known of its nationality and religious tolerance.
We can also find
there the biggest Old Town, which extends on the surface of 360 hectares! From
1994 The Vilnius Old Town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in
recognition of its universal value and originality. What is also important, the
capital of Lithuania was called the European capital in 2009.
I put below the video which will help you to
discover the most important places in this beautiful Old Town and its history!
Have a nice trip! :)
