Antakalnis – 50mm advent calendar

Antakalnis is one of the largest neighbourhoods in Vilnius by area, stretching along the left bank of the Neris river northeast of the centre. Its heart is the narrow stretch of built-up area between Gedimino castle hill, up to Valakampiai bridge, which was historically a magnet for artists, academics and bohemian bourgeoisie. The history of the neighbourhood makes it diverse, with old mansions, new luxury villas, soviet tower blocks and rickety wooden shacks jostling for space in the flats between the river and the ridges of the Sapiegos hills. Further along to the north and east, the urban center of Antakalnis gives way to suburban single-family homes, and a major campus of Vilnius University surrounded by student housing and apartment blocks. The district also has large sections of forest, including the Valakampiai river bend and the Sapiegos hills, which are part of the Pavilniu regional park. The majority of the district beyond the University district and Valakampiai bridge, all the way to Antaviliu and Balsis lakes is also carpeted in forest, interspersed by villages.

Every day between December 1 and 24, the 50mm Vilnius blog will try something new – an advent calendar featuring the districts of Vilnius in alphabetical order. There are 21 “elderships” in the city (Wikipedia has a handy list and rough map here), but I’ve added three parts of town that I think deserve a special mention for their unique character (Jeruzalė, Užupis, and Valakampiai) to make 24. Some photos will be drawn from the archives (as dedicated as I am, I’m not going to be able to run around a different part every day just to nurture a hobby), so don’t be surprised if there is a return of some summer or autumn scenes! Enjoy and happy advent!