As you know, many educational institutions are unlikely to be the sights, but there are exceptions. Vilnius University is one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. In addition, this University is considered one of the largest higher education institutions, educational and scientific centers, not only in Vilnius and throughout Lithuania.

It is believed that the University was founded in 1579, when the Jesuit College, which existed from the year 1570, was reorganized and renamed the institution of higher education. But in 1773 the Jesuit order has suspended its action, and the University passed into the hands of the secular authorities. For quite a long time this University was the only one in Latvia, because he acquired glory and fame far beyond the borders of their country. It is in the University of Vilnius was attended by students and professors from Italy, Scotland, England, Denmark and other Western European countries.

In 1832 Tsar Nicholas I ordered to close the University, considering the school is a centre of revolutionary sentiment and the epicenter of the threat of free-thinking. It took almost a hundred years, and only in 1919, the University was again resumed its work.

If we take into account the history of the development of the University, we can safely say how much he has grown, because its buildings are situated not only in the city, but also beyond its boundaries. The history of development of Vilnius University started in the Old town, which now has 12 buildings of educational institutions. Of particular interest is the artistic decoration of the large courtyard of the University. The courtyard formed by the buildings of the University, the oldest of which is a 16th century building and the modern building of the 19th century.

The Church and bell tower of St. John finishing touch to the yard. Thus, courtyard style involves elements of three different styles: classicism, Baroque and Renaissance. In this part of the University atmosphere prevails in the Italian courtyard, because many of the arch are transferred into the Renaissance. On the facade there is the memorial plaque, which you can see the names of professors or presidents who brought fame to the University of Vilnius.

The University library was founded exactly a year later than the famous and popular Oxford. It is considered the largest library in Lithuania. Even now it holds several thousand books to the more 17-19 centuries, and only the library has more than 5 million different volumes.

The library consists of several halls, which brings together a combination of different architectural styles. On the first floor of the library is the smuglewicz hall, situated, which is the oldest of all the rooms of the library. For two years (from 1802 to 1804) design of interior decoration of the hall was carried out by františek Smuglevich, who is the author of amazing frescoes, decorated with biblical scenes and adorn the ceiling and walls of the library hall. The frescoes had to be restored in the first half of the 20th century. At the moment, the hall hosts a permanent exhibition, which presents unique manuscripts.

Now the University consists of 12 faculties, 10 research centers and 8 institutions. In addition, the composition of the Vilnius educational institution includes: three University hospitals, Botanical gardens, astronomical Observatory, computing center, and the Church of St. John and a library.

According to some reports, in early 2005 at the University of Vilnius, he studied 22618 students, and in 2006 already 25014 students. Teaching staff in 2009 was $ 1309 employees, among which 545 associate professors and 197 professors.

In addition, Vilnius University is one of the Utrecht network – Association of European universities. In 2008 he participated in the world ranking of universities, taking the 501-th place out of 600.

Among the famous graduates from a recognized University are: Juliusz słowacki and Adam Mickiewicz – a Polish poet, Taras Shevchenko – Ukrainian poet Yanka Kupala Belarusian poet and many other well-known worldwide for outstanding people.