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The Gate of Dawn

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The Gate of Dawn is the only surviving gateway from the Vilnius city defensive wall, built in the 16th century. Initially called the Medininkai Gate, it was an integral part of the city's fortifications, as evidenced by the shooting openings visible on its outer side. The gate is also renowned for the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, displayed in the chapel above. Created specifically for this location in the 17th century, the painting is one of the most famous works of Renaissance art in Lithuania. It is considered miraculous and venerated worldwide, with copies kept in churches in Paris, Poland, and elsewhere. Today, the Gate of Dawn stands as a significant religious and cultural symbol of Vilnius.

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Religious Heritage
Vilnius

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The Gate of Dawn is a distinctive symbol of Vilnius’s history and culture. Once a crucial part of the city’s defensive wall, it was known as the Medininkai Gate, leading to the town of Medininkai. It is the only one of ten city gates to have survived to the present day. The defensive purpose of the gate is reflected in the shooting openings visible on its outer facade. The name "Gate of Dawn" is associated with its eastern orientation, where the sun rises, and the symbolic title of the Virgin Mary as the Morning Star. The gate’s greatest renown comes from the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, also known as the Madonna of the Gate of Dawn. Painted in the 17th

century, this Renaissance masterpiece, inspired by the works of Marten de Vos, is considered miraculous and revered not only by Catholics but also by Orthodox and Uniate Christians. Copies of the painting are preserved in many churches worldwide, including St. Severin’s Church in Paris and various shrines in Poland. In the 17th century, a wooden chapel was built next to the gate. After it was destroyed by fire, a brick chapel was constructed in its place. In the 19th century, the chapel acquired its current late Classicist style. Today, the Gate of Dawn is a vital heritage site representing religion, culture, and history, attracting pilgrims and tourists from around the globe.

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