Vilnius is the European capital centered on Vilnius Cathedral Square and the medieval Gediminas Tower.
Gediminas' Tower is the remaining prominent part of the Upper Castle in Vilnius. The brick tower stands on Gediminas Hill and is named for Grand Duke Gediminas, who ruled the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century and is traditionally linked with the founding story of Vilnius.
The current tower is largely associated with rebuilding under Grand Duke Vytautas in the early 15th century, after an earlier wooden castle complex. Its elevated position made it important for defense and later for observing the city.
Today the tower houses part of the National Museum of Lithuania and offers views across the historic center. Vilnius Cathedral stands at the foot of the hill in Cathedral Square. The tower is not the same as the nearby Three Crosses monument, which occupies another hilltop overlooking the city.