Visit Užupis: 60 Hectares Across the Vilnelė

Užupis is a district of Vilnius on the right bank of the Vilnelė, tucked between the Old Town, Antakalnis and Paupys. Just sixty hectares, about seven thousand residents - and still an entire state fits here, with a Constitution on a wall, an Angel above the square and nine bridges over the river. From the Old Town, cross one bridge and you are already in another "country".

The easiest way is to walk from the Old Town - across the Užupis Bridge or the Bernardine (Malūnų) Bridge from Maironio Street; the walk from the Cathedral takes about ten minutes. The main axis is Užupio Street, which leads to the square with the Angel, with Paupio, Malūnų, Krivių, Polocko and Filaretų streets branching off. The best way to know Užupis is without a rigid plan, allowing yourself to get a little lost.

On Independence Day (April 1), border posts open on the bridges, where you can receive a passport stamp and exchange EuroUžai - probably the most entertaining time to arrive.

You can walk the territory of Užupis in half a day, but it is worth having a map - not only an accurate one, but an artistic one, as befits Užupis. Here you will find the official map (front and back) and artists' maps of the Republic, where fantasy and geography are given equal rights.

On Paupio Street, on the wall leading toward the president's residence, metal plaques shine with the Constitution of Užupis in many world languages. This is an essential stop - and the best place to understand what the Republic lives by.

The trumpet-blowing Angel, the mermaid on the Vilnelė embankment, nine bridges, the Užupis cafe - seat of the Barlament, the sculpture yard of the Art Incubator, Tibet Square, the Bernardine Cemetery and the former Užupis synagogue. All of this fits into one walking route.

The Užupis information centre is at Užupio g. 2A ("Magnets and Miracles"); EuroUžai can also be exchanged at the Užupis cafe (Užupio g. 2) and "Vilnius in Love" (Užupio g. 1). Exact opening hours, tours and event schedules will be added separately.

Further work: add practical details such as opening hours, tours, accessibility, cafes and galleries; connect the page with the celebrations calendar; add an interactive map with marked places.