Gediminas Castle is a monument of culture and history in Vilnius. The castle is located in the western part of the Castle Hill - a hill, surrounded by rivers, which is a great place for the construction of the castle, as well as the basis for a large enough settlement. The hill itself was overgrown with trees and shrubs.

The history of the castle Gediminas batter is connected with the history of Vilnius. Judging by the legend that was accidentally discovered in one of the Lithuanian chronicles of the 16th century, we can say that the castle was built on the banks of Vilnius Gediminas prince as soon as he saw a strange dream. In the dream, the prince dreamed invulnerable iron wolf: he stood on a hill, uttering a loud roar, like a pack of wolves tireless. A priest in a pagan cult Lizdeika saw in this dream will of the gods, who commanded Gediminas to build a castle on the river bank and found a city that will soon become prosperous and powerful, and his fame will disperse throughout the world.

But there are other historical sources that claim that the 5-6 century at the mouth of Vilna there were already extensive settlement and the place chosen for the construction of the prince, just enjoyed the best and suitable geographical location. But it is known that in 1230 the castle has had a place to be.

In order to get to the castle, you need to climb to the tower on the road, laid back in the years 1895-1896, which has a spiral shape, or by cable car, built in 2003. Near the tower on Castle Hill are the ruins and remains of the Upper castle - the part of the defensive walls and the foundation of the south tower.

The tower contains not only historical and historical and cultural significance, but also serves as an excellent example of Gothic architecture. Only in the 20th century tower it acquired an emblem and symbol not only of the city but also the entire state of Lithuania. The image in the logo replaces the genuine emblem of the city and are often used in various souvenirs and artefacts.

Once replaced conquerors and regimes changed immediately and the flag on the tower. For the first time in the tower of Gediminas flag was raised at the beginning of 1919 a group of volunteers of the Lithuanian army, led by Kazys Shkirpy. Further, the Lithuanian flag rose over the tower in August 1920, immediately after the Vilnius city was put into the hands of the Lithuanian authorities the retreating Soviet troops. The Second World War ended with the rise in the tower of the flag of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. Sąjūdis movement insisted on the ceremony of hoisting the flag of Lithuania, but at the time was regarded as the unofficial, but still not prohibited. It is in honor of this event in the tower was a memorable day, that is, Lithuanian Flag Day, celebrated on January 1st. Until now, on this day the solemn ceremony of changing the flag on the tower.

The ruins of the castle and Gediminas Tower itself survived only from the Upper Castle from the late 14th and early 15th century on the castle hill. It is believed that here since the 13th century there was a wooden castle. In the years 1365-1402 from the attacks of the Crusaders suffered a lot lower and upper locks, which were later restored the grandson of Gediminas Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas.

The replaced the Lower Castle was used only as a representational and living space. Upper Castle was used as an arsenal and arsenal. As the artillery castles faster lost their military role, and the 17th century the Upper Castle was fully launched. At one time it was used as a prison for nobles.

In times of war between Russia and the Commonwealth still under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich city was captured by imperial armies. But soon the Polish-Lithuanian troops were able to repel the city, although taking the upper lock them and failed, because here found shelter Russian garrison under the leadership of Daniel Myshetskaya. The siege of the castle lasted more than 16 months ended the surrender of the garrison. Since then, the castle is no longer restored.

Currently, in the western part of the Gediminas Castle is a museum dedicated to the history of Lithuania, which was opened in 1960. The museum exposition, one of which presents a variety of archaeological finds and historical documents on the history of the castle.