Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and a large academic, cultural and religious center. There is also Vilnius University in the city – it has existed here since 1579. Vilnius is famous for its ancient temples. Among the temples that deserve special attention there are St Peter and St Paul Church in the Antakalnis, Russian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Orthodox church of St. Paraskeva representing the Byzantine style and the chapel of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn. Vilnius Old Town, situated on the left bank of the river Vilnia, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.
