This year, the annual Open House festival in Vilnius that offers unhindered access into iconic buildings moved outdoors, weaving together the story of Vilnius’ expansion since the 19th century. Ludo Segers, a freelance photographer, joined one of the tours.
Vilnius boasts a cornucopia of architectural styles, ranging from splendid Baroque to the latest green buildings. The latter are mainly concentrated around Konstitucijos Avenue on the right bank of the Neris river.
This year's date of Open House Vilnius was changed due to the pandemic. The visits inside of buildings were largely replaced by architectural tours.
This allowed discussing how Vilnius expanded, particularly during the two waves in the last 150 years: in the wake of the arrival of the railway in the latter part of the 19th century and after Lithuania's independence in 1990.
The railway station, built in the 1850s, turned the once largely agricultural area into a trade and travel hub. Hotels and businesses catering to travelers and entrepreneurs sprang up. One of the then highest residential buildings near the station was also one of the first to have a lift in Lithuania.
The railway company built a large club for its workers. It now houses a restaurant and bar and the large hall is still occasionally in use, but a mere shadow of its former busy self.
The tour to the area included a visit to the railway depot where the rolling stock is maintained and the roundhouse where locomotives are turned around.
Another tour took us to Užupis. Although an increasingly posh area of town, 'the Republic' has maintained its Bohemian character, with numerous interesting art galleries and artist spaces. The visit took us to the Art Incubation House and, most spectacularly, the Tartle art gallery.
The sculpture garden of the gallery offers a splendid view of the old town with the Gediminas tower. The private gallery's outstanding collection brings together works with various connections to Lithuania and can be visited by appointment only.
The right bank of the Neris river was planned as a counterpart to the historic old town. Developed largely after 1990, it has a collection of towering buildings instead of churches dotting the landscape. Mainly bank headquarters and other administrative offices and a large hotel are a testament to the newly found wealth and technological know-how of independent Lithuania.
Many of the buildings have incorporated green and renewable technology, including solar panels on their walls.
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