Stiklių (Glassmaker) Street was a quarter of goldsmiths, glassmakers, craftsmen and wealthy Jews. On this street, a glass manufactory and goldsmith’s guild operated. Stiklių Street became a part of the Jewish Quarter that protected Jews from unrest and allowed them to create freely.
You can find fragments reminiscent of history even today: on a house wall at Stiklių Street 16, there are surviving figures of number 1661. In that year a Jewish goldsmith who worked at the Mint on Vokiečių (German) Street (now the CAC) acquired the area. That was the beginning of the Stiklių St. prosperity.
Stiklių Street, like many other Vilnius’ streets, changed names depending on the era and the government — Žydowska, Szklanna I, Sw. Ducha, Šklannaja, Ignatjevskij per, Stekliannaja, Dominikaski zaul, Domininkonų (Dominican), Stiklių (Glassmaker), Ryšių (Communication), M. Antokolsky until 1989.
The peaceful and sumptuous street today was once full of life. There were markets in the streets and courtyards, as well as restaurants and pubs.
The artisan shops and restaurants in Glass Quarter still cherish the traditions of the first inhabitants of this quarter through their creations, stories and cuisine.
Places of interest in Stiklių street:
Sculpture “Chronicler”
It’s a mini granite sculpture of a chronicler. In Stiklių st. 4 there was a printing house where it is believed that in 1522 the first book in Lithuania was published.
Vilnius Photography Gallery
Lithuanian Photographers Association, founded in 1969, became one of the most important organisations coordinating the development of photography in Lithuania. The association currently unites about 300 professional photographers.
Art Gallery “Terra Recognita”
“Terra Recognita” was founded in 2009. The gallery is one of the most unique and interesting cultural places in the capital. There’s no surprise that in 2015 “Terra Recognita” was included in the list of TOP 10 Vilnius galleries by London’s “Culture trip”.
The gallery holds works by the artist Saulius Vaitiekūnas, who has an exceptional style through which he is easily recognizable but completely unpredictable.
Virtual tour of the art gallery: https://www.terrarecognita.lt/virtualus-turas.htm
Sculpture “Meideinė — the Wooden Goddess of Forests and Hunting Riding a Bear”
Art Gallery “Stained Glass Manufactory”
Located in the heart of Vilnius Old Town, “Stained Glass Manufactory” is a specialized glass design gallery representing the work of the most prominent Lithuanian artists. In the basements, you can visit the Museum of Expensive Glass Ingots and Stained Glass
“Diamonds by Ribas” from Tel Aviv revive the tradition of jewelry and goldsmithing
A bakery and cafe “Ponių laimė” (“The happiness of ponies”) became legendary to the city with well-known desserts from all over the world — from French macarons to a piece of “Opera” cake.
Glass hotel
Glass Hotel-Restaurant was founded in 1987. It was the first private restaurant in Lithuania and the Soviet Union. The chosen name for the hotel came from glassblowers that worked here before.
Project partner: Vilnius City Municipality
