Gate of Dawn

Aušros Vartai

The last surviving city gate of Vilnius, housing a revered chapel with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, a major pilgrimage site. Its golden shrine draws worshippers from across the Catholic and Orthodox worlds.

Things to do

• Venerate the Miraculous Icon — Climb to the chapel to see the golden-clad image of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, one of Europe's most revered Marian icons.
• Pass Through the City Gate — Walk beneath the last surviving gate of Vilnius's medieval defensive wall, once one of nine entrances to the old town.
• Attend Mass at the Chapel — Join worshippers for daily Mass, often celebrated with hymns and prayers to the Virgin Mary directly beneath the icon.
• Visit St. Teresa's Church — Step into the adjoining Baroque Carmelite church just steps from the gate, renowned for its ornate marble interior.
• Explore the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church — Nearby lies Lithuania's principal Orthodox church, housing the preserved relics of three martyred saints in a crypt.
• Wander Aušros Vartų Street — Stroll the cobbled street lined with pilgrimage shops, cafés, and historic facades leading into the heart of Old Town.
• See the Votive Offerings — Observe the wall of silver hearts and plaques left by pilgrims in gratitude for answered prayers surrounding the icon.

Food to try

• Cepelinai — Zeppelin-shaped potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, served with sour cream and bacon, are Lithuania's national dish.
• Šakotis — A spit-baked, tree-shaped layer cake with spiky branches, sold in Old Town bakeries and popular as a pilgrim gift.
• Šaltibarščiai — A vivid pink cold beetroot soup made with kefir and served with boiled potatoes, especially refreshing in summer.
• Kibinai — Savory Karaite pastries filled with mutton and onion, a Lithuanian regional specialty found in nearby cafés.
• Gira — A traditional fermented bread drink, mildly sweet and non-alcoholic, sold in local eateries around the Old Town.
• Bulviniai blynai — Crispy fried potato pancakes served with sour cream or mushroom sauce, a comforting street-side staple.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress and behave respectfully — The chapel is an active place of worship, so cover shoulders, remove hats, and keep quiet while pilgrims pray.
• Men remove hats at the gate — By long tradition, passers-by uncover their heads out of reverence when walking beneath the sacred icon.
• Shared by Catholics and Orthodox — The icon is venerated by both faiths, making it a rare unifying pilgrimage site in the Christian world.
• Visit early or during Mass times — The small chapel fills quickly, so arrive early morning to see the icon in relative calm.

Nearby

• Vilnius Old Town — 1 km
• Užupis — 1 km
• Vilnius Cathedral and Square — 1 km
• Gediminas Tower and Castle Hill — 1 km