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Gate of Dawn

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Koentje3000
Koentje3000
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Gate of Dawn

  • February 14, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Koentje3000 from Hamme, Belgium
Gate of Dawn

The Gate of Dawn (Ausros Vartai) in Lithuanian is an important place of pilgrimage for both Catholic and Orthodox people of Lithuania, Poland and Belarus. During the construction of the gate in the beginning of the 16th century these 3 countries after all belonged to one superpower state, namely the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a dominating force in Eastern Europe until the 18th century rise of Austria and Prussia. The gate was originally part of a defence wall encircling the entire old town of Vilnius, of which little remains. Originally the gate was known as "Sharp Gate" (Ostra Brama in Polish), possibly named after the old Vilnius quarter Ostry Koniec (Sharp End). The Polish Ostra was misinterpreted in Lithuanian language as Ausros, which means "dawn", so hence the English name "Gate of Dawn".

During the early 17th century the Carmelites constructed a monastery adjacent to the Gate of Dawn in a beautiful late Baroque Rococo style. It was during this time that an unknown artist painted a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy for the monastery. It was placed in a newly constructed wooden chapel on top of the gate, only to be replaced by a new brick chapel after a fire years later. Soon after its installation several miracles were attributed to the picture. This increased its adoration among the Polish-Lithuanian population, who covered the painting in gold leafs, save Mary's face and hands. The picture was so revered that the Russian tsarist government, who occupied Vilnius since the 18th century, did not dare to touch the Gate of Dawn, despite the fact that they tore down the rest of the city wall. Even during the 20th century, the communist Soviets allowed Lithuanians, Poles and Belarusians to visit the shrine. Since Lithuanian independence in 1990 the sanctuary attracts so many people that at times there is a row of people wanting to get a glimpse of the picture of Our Lady.

The Gate of Dawn is located 2km south of Cathedral Square, about halfway between Vilnius' train and bus station and the Town Hall, on the corner of Ausros Vartu and Bazilijonu Street at the edge of the old town. Entrance to the Gate of Dawn is free, but not easy to find. Access is via a simple door about 50m to the north. If there are pilgrims around, you could just follow them. Behind the entrance is a small corridor. Most people turn right immediately to the sanctuary, but if you turn left you will be able to see the magnificent Baroque-Rococo church of the Gate of Dawn monastery. The revered image of Our Lady is kept in a small room above the gate itself, usually packed with devoted pilgrims. The panting itself is put on a marble Baroque-style altar with a small fence around it, but some people are still tempted to touch the object of their adoration. The wall of the sanctuary is adorned with gifts of people who saw their wish granted by the Blessed Virgin.

From journal Vilnius' Turbulent Past and Bright Future

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