- Ruta Sepetys

And finally, the bald man joined in, singing out national anthem. 'Lithuania, land of heroes...

 

Lithuania is a country in the Baltic region of Europe, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and scenic natural landscapes. The capital city of Vilnius boasts a beautifully preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with winding cobblestone streets and picturesque courtyards. Visitors can explore the Vilnius Cathedral and Tower, the Gate of Dawn, and the Republic of Užupis, a bohemian neighborhood that has declared itself an independent state. A short distance from Vilnius is Trakai, a charming town famous for its historic Trakai Island Castle, set on an island in the middle of Lake Galve. The castle is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a popular destination for tourists.

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Trakai
Trakai Island Castle
Trakai
Trakai Island Castle

Trakai was previously the capital of Lithuania, and the Grand Duke used the heavily fortified castle as his base of operations. After the capital moved to Vilnius, the castle fell to ruins and was renovated, though not unobviously.

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Trakai Island Castle
Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius

Days are identified by Roman numerals. The city has a strong resonance with Rom, the history of repeated attempts to align with the Hapsbergs and the Pope have given Vilnius an affinity from Italy as well as this there is a stronger Russian influence than I have seen in the other Baltic states, they have a soviet influence, but less of the historic Russian.

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Vilnius