The Old Town is the heart of the capital, its historical centre.
In the early part of the 16th century, it was surrounded by a city wall thus defending the limits of the Old Town.
There was a large complex of castles consisting of the Upper (on Gediminas Hill), the Lower (at the foot of the hill) and the Crooked Castle (on the adjacent hill), the Grand Ducal Castle, the Cathedral, the House of Bishops and other buildings.
Due to its unique historical and architectural features, the Old Town of Vilnius was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.
Like all other medieval cities, Vilnius developed around the Town Hall.
The main street, called Pilies Street, connected the Grand Ducal Castle and the Town Hall.
Narrow winding streets and small cosy courtyards formed a radial plan of medieval Vilnius.
The remains of the impressive medieval construction – a city wall of Vilnius (next to the Bastion, the Gates of Dawn) – can be still seen in several places.
°°°°°°
You can see in the background Gediminas' Tower