Vilnius
Vilnius (/ˈvɪlniəs/ VIL-nee-əs, Lithuanian: [ˈvʲɪlʲnʲʊs] ⓘ; previously known in English as Vilna, see other names) is the capital and largest city in Lithuania and the second most populous city in the Baltic states. As of January 2024, Vilnius' estimated population was 602,430, while the Vilnius urban area extends beyond the city limits and had an estimated population of 708,627.
Vilnius | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s): Jerusalem of Lithuania, Rome of the North, Athens of the North, New Babylon, City of Palemon | |
| Motto(s): Unitas, Justitia, Spes (Latin: Unity, Justice, Hope) | |
Interactive map of Vilnius | |
Vilnius Location within Lithuania Vilnius Location within the Baltics Vilnius Location within Europe | |
| Coordinates: 54°41′14″N 25°16′48″E | |
| Country | Lithuania |
| County | Vilnius County |
| Municipality | Vilnius City Municipality |
| Capital of | Lithuania |
| First mentioned | 1323 |
| Granted city rights | 1387 |
| Elderships | |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council government |
| • Body | Vilnius City Council |
| • Mayor | Valdas Benkunskas |
| Area | |
| • Capital city | 401 km2 (155 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 350 km2 (140 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 9,730 km2 (3,760 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 112 m (367 ft) |
| Population (1 January 2024) | |
| • Capital city | 602,430 |
| • Rank | (35th in EU) |
| • Density | 1,560/km2 (4,000/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 716,856 |
| • Urban density | 2,000/km2 (5,000/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 853,656 |
| • Metro density | 93/km2 (240/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Vilnian |
| GDP | |
| • Metro | €29.4 billion (US$31 billion) (2022) |
| • Per capita | €35,300 (US$37,200) (2022) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 01001–14191 |
| Area code | (+370) 5 |
| City budget | €1.3 billion |
| HDI (2021) | 0.913 – very high |
| Climate | Dfb |
| Website | vilnius |
| Official name | Historic Centre of Vilnius |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv |
| Designated | 1994 (18th session) |
| Reference no. | |
| UNESCO region | Europe |
Vilnius is notable for the architecture of its Old Town, considered one of the largest and best-preserved old towns of Europe. Vilnius was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The architectural style known as Vilnian Baroque is named after the city, which is the easternmost Baroque city and the largest north of the Alps.
The city was noted for its multicultural population already in the time of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, with contemporary sources comparing it to Babylon. Before World War II and the Holocaust, Vilnius was one of the most important Jewish centers in Europe. Its Jewish influence has led to its nickname "the Jerusalem of Lithuania". Napoleon called it "the Jerusalem of the North" as he was passing through in 1812.
In 2009, Vilnius was the European Capital of Culture, together with Linz in Austria. In 2021, Vilnius was named one of the 25 fDi's Global Cities of the Future. Vilnius is considered one of the major world financial centres, placing 76th globally and 29th in Europe, according to the Global Financial Centres Index. In 2023, Vilnius hosted the 2023 NATO Summit. Vilnius is a member of Eurocities and the Union of Capitals of the European Union (UCEU).