Vilnius Cathedral

Vilnius Cathedral has always been a monumental spot for the citizens of Lithuania. Situated in an ancient pagan temple location, the Cathedral was built and rebuilt many times due to fires, wars and other disturbances. The current building dates back to late 18th century when it was reimagined and reconstructed by the design of Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius, a famous Lithuanian architect of classical buildings. However, the first cathedral was built here in the 13th century, same as the bell tower you see nearby, which houses the oldest clock in Vilnius.

The nations stood in unity holding their hands together and forming a record-winning human chain from Vilnius to Tallinn. The chain began at Gediminas Castle which you can see if you look up, and went through the Cathedral square towards northern parts of Lithuania all the way to the border of Latvia. Known throughout the world as the Baltic Chain, the peaceful demonstration joined approximately 2 million people and covered around 690 km in length. Organized by Sąjūdis of Lithuania, Tautas fronte of Latvia, and Rahvarinne of Estonia, the initiative captivated audiences of the entire world, thus helping to voice loudly the legal and moral issues of the occupation of the Baltic nations.

Known as part of the Singing Revolution, the Baltic Chain is one of the most beautiful gems of Lithuanian pro-independence and dissident movements. In December of the same year, Soviet authorities finally officially admitted to and condemned the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. In February 1990, first free and democratic elections to the Supreme Soviets took place in the Baltic States where pro-independence groups took majority of the votes. In Lithuania, Sąjūdis won the elections and just a month later, on March 11, 1990, re-instatement of Lithuanian independence was declared by the party and Lithuania became the first republic to break free from the Soviet Union.

Even though the Cathedral was reformed into an art gallery during the time of the occupation as part of the anti-Catholicism policies of the Soviet Union, rallies and protests have been taking place in the Cathedral square for years, and there was no exception to this rule during the occupation times either. But by far the most important event took place here on the 23 August, 1989. Yes, you’re right – again, on the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. But this time, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia did something together, something that the world had not heard of before.