Gate of Dawn (Aušros Vartai)

The Gate of Dawn (Ausros Vartai), at Ausros Vartu g. 14 in Vilnius Old Town, Lithuania, is the only surviving gate of the 16th-century defensive wall that once encircled the city. Of the original nine gates, this one is the best known because above it, in a small Baroque chapel opening onto the street through a glazed window, hangs the icon of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn. The painting, made in the early 17th century, is venerated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians alike and is believed to have miraculous powers, drawing pilgrims from Lithuania, Poland and across Europe. The gate itself is a stout brick structure, and the chapel above it is reached by a staircase from the adjacent Church of St. Theresa. Visitors who walk through the arch often see people kneeling on the pavement or praying in the street, since the chapel window faces outward and the icon is visible from below. Inside the chapel, silver votive plaques and gold-covered decoration surround the icon, and services are held daily. A visit takes around 30 minutes, and photography inside the chapel is restricted out of respect for worshippers. The best photo angle of the gate is from the southern side on Ausros Vartu street, with the chapel window and the towers in view. Crowds gather during Sunday services and on Marian feast days, especially in November around the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, when pilgrims fill the staircase and street. Early morning offers the calmest time to visit, and the street is quiet before the shops open. A small pilgrim information centre nearby provides history and guidance. The gate lies a short walk from the railway station and Town Hall Square.