Literatų Street

Overview

Literatų Street (Literatų gatvė) is a narrow cobblestoned lane in the Old Town whose walls are covered with over 200 miniature art plaques dedicated to writers, poets, and literary figures connected to Vilnius. The open-air gallery was conceived by Lithuanian-American artist Gitenis Umbrasas and has been growing since 2008, making it a living, evolving artwork.

Highlights

• Art plaques: Each piece is a unique ceramic, metal, glass, or mixed-media work created by a different artist to honour a specific writer.
• International scope: Plaques honour authors across many languages — Lithuanian, Polish, Yiddish, Russian, French, and English, reflecting Vilnius's multilingual literary heritage.
• Hidden gem atmosphere: The narrow street is easy to miss but rewards close, slow exploration.

History

The project was initiated in 2008 to mark Vilnius's designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. Artists from around the world were invited to contribute works honouring writers linked to the city, from Czesław Miłosz and Adam Mickiewicz to contemporary Lithuanian poets.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Walk slowly and look carefully — many plaques are small and easy to overlook.
• Tip 2: Access from Pilies Street — turn into the narrow lane between the university and the bookshop.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes.