About The Gate of Dawn
The Gate of Dawn, translated as Aušros Vartai, was once one of nine city gates that guarded Vilnius as part of its sixteenth century city wall.
Today, it is the only surviving city gate, the other eight having been destroyed by the Russians in the eighteenth century.
Like many such gates, the Gate of Dawn houses a chapel, however it is the icon of The Blessed Virgin Mary housed in the chapel of this particular gate which makes it unique.
Known by some as the Vilnius Madonna, this painting is revered by members of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic faiths. Some even say that it was the chapel of the Gate of Dawn that spared it from destruction.
Related Places

Vilnius Cathedral
Vilnius Cathedral has been the site of coronations and is the burial site of many prominent Lithuanians.

Church of St Anne - Vilnius
The Church of St Anne is a beautiful gothic-style church in Vilnius’ UNESCO-listed old town.

Saints Francis and Bernardine Church - Vilnius
The Saints Francis and Bernardine Church is a fifteenth century gothic church in Vilnius.

Gediminas Tower
Gediminas Tower is an iconic fortified tower and the sole remaining part of the Upper Castle of Vilnius.
Just as empires rise and fall so do entry fees and opening hours! While we work as hard as we can to ensure the information provided here about The Gate of Dawn is as accurate as possible, the changing nature of certain elements mean we can't absolutely guarantee that these details won't become a thing of the past. If you know of any information on this page that needs updating you can add a comment above or e-mail us.