streets meander through the palaces of feudal lords and landlords, churches, shops
and craftsmen's workrooms. Narrow, curved streets and intimatecourtyards developed in the radial layout of
medieval Vilnius. Vilnius Old
Town, the historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Europe
(3.6 km²). The most valuable historic and cultural sites are concentrated
here. The buildings in the old town – there are nearly 1,500 – were built over
several centuries, creating a blend of many different architectural styles.
Although Vilnius is known as aBaroque city,
there are examples of Gothic (e.g. St Anne's Church),Renaissance, and
other styles. Their combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the
capital. Owing to its uniqueness, the Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. In 1995, the world's first bronze cast of Frank Zappa was installed in the Naujamiestis district with the permission of the
government. The Frank Zappa sculpture confirmed the newly found freedom of
expression, and marked the beginning of a new era for Lithuanian society.
