Lithuanian National Philharmony, Vilnius, Guide du visiteur et quoi faire à proximité

The Lithuanian National Philharmony is a historic concert venue at Aušros Vartų street 5 in the Old Town of Vilnius, a short walk from the Gate of Dawn. It is tied to the story of Lithuanian opera, and it is still a place where the country's music life gathers, so it rewards a look even if you never go in.

The story behind it

The building stands on the street that leads up to the Gate of Dawn, in a part of Vilnius where classical architecture shaped much of the look of the Old Town. In the early twentieth century it was one of the stages of the city's growing Lithuanian cultural life, and a plaque on the building recalls the first Lithuanian opera, Birutė, which is linked with this address.

Opera and ballet no longer play here. Those performances moved to the National Opera and Ballet Theatre on Vienuolio street. The Philharmony kept its role as a home for concerts and for annual competitions and award ceremonies, which are held in the main hall above the open arch over the street.

What to look for

• Find the commemorative plaque on the building that recalls the first Lithuanian opera, Birutė, and take a moment to read it.
• Look at the restrained, classical proportions of the facade, which fit the calm, balanced look of many Old Town buildings.
• Notice the open arch over the street, with the main hall sitting above it, which is a rare thing to walk under in a concert venue.
• Check the posters and notices near the entrance to see what concerts and events are coming up.

Tips for your visit

• Ten to fifteen minutes is enough to see the building from the street, read the plaque and walk through the arch.
• To hear a concert or see the hall, check the current programme and opening hours before you go.
• Morning is usually quieter on Aušros Vartų street, while evenings can suit you if you want to see people arriving for a performance.
• The Gate of Dawn is close by, so you can easily pair the two on a single stroll through the southern part of the Old Town.

See it on a quest

Playing Old Town Gems - Vilnius is a good way to meet the Philharmony in its setting. You reach it on foot as one stop of a longer route through the Old Town, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot, which makes you look at details you would otherwise walk past. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.