 In 1994, the Old Town of Vilnius was included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. It is one of the largest (comprising around 360 ha) and most scenic old towns found in Central and Eastern Europe. By light-coloured manors and church towers reminding of the old rich Italian cities such as Rome and Florence, Vilnius is the most northward capital-city which inherited the old architecture styles, characteristic of South Europe. The Vilnius of the period between the 14th and 17th centuries is considered the major European cultural and educational centre of Western civilisation that reaches farthest into the East. The Old Town of the capital reflects the apogee of the city grandeur and beauty of this period, while the rapidly growing Vilnius of today, the leading capital-city of the Baltics, is found among the 20 world’s most remarkable cities that should definitely not be missed by tourists.
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