ah ah ah he won't believe it, but i'm in jail right now. oh, i just getting this used to be a prison, but is now a tourist attraction in vilnius the capital of lithuania. this is so strange,

thinking about how things used to be here. the notorious lucas, his prison was a place of murder and torture for over a 100 years. that came to an end in 2019 and the cultural center emerged of the prison grounds. more on that later. the symbol of vilios dance, 140 meters above the city, the giddiness tower, the remnant of what was once the city's most powerful defense system, the giddiness casting. hello from vilios in lithuania. have you ever heard of it? well, lithuania is one of the 3 baltic states in eastern europe, russia, and bell roost our direct neighbors. and, well, the war in ukraine is not that far away. and i want to know, is it still safe to travel here in these types? let's find out. ah, we get an impression of lithuania, solidarity with your trade. we will also discover

vilios old town, which is a unesco world heritage site and visit the oldest part of vilnius will ship is ah, the russian warren ukraine is viewed with concern and lithuania. no wonder because the length of the lithuanian border separating the russian ex slave of cleaning rod from bill a ruse is only some 100 kilometers. many lithuanians fear that could be putin's next target. of course, this also worries tourists like neat. is it the same for other holiday makers of illness? eve, how safe do you feel as if you me to ties? i feel completely safe and kind. i didn't even think that way will be traveling to some dangerous area or something like that in the as it's,

it's europe. so if ever sucking up her ear, i think europe kendra rex jamante isn't yet you anthony crane. we did give it a 2nd thought to find it. it was all the more reason to go. hardly any other country has condemned the war in ukraine as vehemently as lithuania. they've taken a firm stand in a way that is as creative as it is clear. solidarity is huge in lithuania, both among the general population and the politicians. the street where the russian embassies located has been renamed street of ukrainian heroes lithuania, recently restricted free traffic to the russian next slave of glinting grat. to the roof. in lithuania, ly, between the in heart land and cleaning ground. but while bill a ruse continues to allow all russian trains through lithuania bands, the passage of russian trains carrying goods falling on the

e. u sanctions. moscow speaks of an illegal blockade. the passenger trains from russia to killing rod violet wayne in territory are not affected. lithuania must let them pass. 2 2 twice a day, the train to colleen and grad pulls into vilnius station. twice a day it stops for 10 minutes. an announcement in russian asks the passengers to look out of the window where they are confronted with pictures of russian war crimes burger. they show the instruction in ukraine on each picture. the same question is written and russian to day pollutant is killing the peaceful people of ukraine. do you agree with this? ah, it's really tough. i'm wondering what the people on the train think about these

pictures. ah, i was just told that this lady is coming here every day when the train is passing. i am touched by the sympathy that lithuanians have for ukrainians. trains gone right now, and i don't know what to say. it was so strange the worn ukraine and attends atmosphere can be felt everywhere in the country, and is also leaving its mark on tourism is the next post pandemic crisis imminent. i'm meeting with the director of the vilnius tourist board before they called me to we had 5 conscious by self conscious air. who came he, i toss pool and oh, bill iris, russia. oh germany and lot to yeah. and now of course,

numbers of the law, russian and brush and tories to be dropped dramatically, a bow to me be that too fat about bill rushing into only 10 percent off rations come here for there are less people from bill, a ruse and russia right now how do you fill this gap? how do you convince other tourists to come here? of course, there are some people who may be or their knowledge about history. john about europe is lead a little bit less and they f rain to come here. but the way explain them, and we understand that safely, that is their most important think and we feel safe here. for decades, the baltic states suffered on the soviet rule before they were able to win their independence. in the spring of 1990 lithuania became the 1st volta country to break away from the soviet union. this is the spot where lithuania took its 1st steps towards freedom. on august 23rd 1989. the bolts set off from here. hand

in hand, almost 2000000 lithuanians, latvians, and estonians, demanded independence for the states. this demonstration was the beginning of the end of the soviet union and the baltic states. many people here in lithuania are afraid of losing this independence. again, especially now after russia invaded ukraine, one business that is benefiting from this fear and seeing sad skyrocket is the oxalis arms dealership. according to the owner demand increased tenfold in the 1st month after the war began. this is for self defense for home defense. and while your social poster garcia, it's a long video for immune machine guns of the homes, you know? yeah. but i don't know anything about guns, so this is all pretty new to me. you know. and, well, if i'm thinking of self defense, i'm thinking about

a small handgun. another bought a shotgun here, but it's more effective weapon actually, you know, it's more effective than they found them who needs listed here. you can like this. yeah. you can load it, you know, just like in a movie, just put the pull it back and you know what we had can be afraid off. you know, a version comes in after the last footages from boucher in the ukraine. you know, when you see a lot of civilians just killed than was 3 women raped children killed. so people don't want to, well, i mean, we're afraid and we want to have something to be able to defend themselves and firms. since the beginning of the war, the number of applications for gun licenses, lithuania has doubled due to the current situation. there are fewer restrictions here than elsewhere in europe. the right to self defense at home applies even with the use of firearms. who was buying the guns, young people, elderly people, men,

or women. i mean, everybody does, and most surprisingly well. not surprisingly because over the happened in ukraine when our quite a lot of women were coming to buy sam against them, even shrugged guns for the wrong defense. even though i am safe is a tourist here in vilnius. i still have a sinking feeling but now city guide, at least 2 bus will show me the city. our 1st stop, a small memorial plaque bomb. why are we starting here? and what's so special about it other? what, what does it say? the blue is still extremely stable classes. that means miracle, because what miracle to plot is this plaque is here to remind us that miracles happen every day does get us. and the biggest miracle is that we got our independence, 3 unarmed nation has fought against the mighty ussr, severe back there were the people united in their belief that nobody should have to

live under the soviet occupation that i'm all of that kind of answer. but they did a piece for the harbor, mom had this, nobody threw molotov cocktails or stone to the police side. now when people just came together and sang, so it goes on that was enough and a couple i'm guessing that's working on this is again, so let us know many people that are asked by stand here, close their eyes and turn 3 full circle. the small dialogue, or meanwhile you have to make a wish, and that wish will come true to die or in 10 years of a dose gun. but i must not say it out loud. like i said, yeah, that little smith is not. this is, i am not allowed to say it. yes. okay. of course, i can't say it out loud, but because of the war in ukraine, you can probably guess what i wish for. we continue to the most famous side of the city, the cathedral of saint stanislaus. it is the center of the catholic faith lithuania, the classes, his billing was finished in the early 19th century,

the bell tower stands alone. as is the case with many churches in the baltic states at 68 meters high, it is the tallest building in vilnius old town. next, at least of us takes me through the old town. it is huge and has been the unesco world heritage site since 1994 winding streets and alleys, magnificent town houses, and palaces. i like it. villiers is also called the city of churches. there are more than 50 of them as so he had, he's a 2 important churches secured. the church of saint francis to all right. and the church of san to allah. riley. i'm a kid. i'm not one but 2. so i okay. at madison to win them, but they are bound by blood or growl or hannah and according to legend, the dutch of the german architect of the church of saint francis almost the jealous

of his lithuanian people who had made the church of sen answer. but he developed that it became the most famous church vill near so time for the older architect asked his people to explain the technical details of tiffany when they were standing on the roof. we hit him. what is all your marks? the man fell to the grounds and that's how the church got its romantic red color. now please to puss takes me to the last remaining medieval city gate. in lithuania, the small chapel above not only attract tourists because the bite of already seen a few people making the sign of the cross wise that little to court visible. if it's in there at the gate, ardon up and it is the holiest place for christians. in lithuania, it has an image of the virgin. do you also known as the black, madonna vilnius?

and she said that it can cure any illness. so people have been coming here to prior centuries, and after the tour, i still have a few questions for christopher us. chris, about the how is the mood and lithuanian given the russian thread? there was a from that all i dish them incurred to get him fastened, but there's, i would say that the mood has gone up and down, but awful to begin with. it was a big shock. even though people somehow expected it to have done does get than people wanted to escape thinking the war would soon come here. but here, i even though some rich people who immediately emigrated with all their families and money with cancer for me, but now they've returned the numbers and from sort of give them your interest guide and you take people through vilios is do you notice certain fear among the tourists too, but into his knacks the spending of his arm skipped the load, the colon let the people have a lot of fears when they arrive to think while they think that they are answering a was around it was under so that the reality is that it's just like any other

western country, house of india, the research that next i visit, what is probably the most unusual part of vilios lucas. many freelance artists, dropouts, and other creative people live here. ah . who's you parish is one of the world's smallest republics. a fantasy estate only point 6 square kilometers in size. in the middle of the lithuanian capital vilnius. the republic of jupiter has its own government flag and anthem, and some famous ambassadors as the dalai lama. the 1st house after the bridge is a cafe. the seat of government and a living room, all in one. the foreign minister offers rubbish meats for official talks with a minister of justice and the head of the republics own state television. it all

began after the collapse of the soviet union in the early 19 nineties. so people move till as district 1st row startled in those they to turn burned into and they bought floss here. irish were cheap because nobody wanted to leave here. people here who are different from the people in the english. it's all in this, but from the other shore of the civil river, they were lively. they were beating, they were loving, they were, you know, doing everything but they will either with life the pop you got. there is the streets of the constitution of jupiter with translations into other languages hanging on metal blacks. the 1st article reads, every one has the right to live by, the river will not land and the river will. nadia has the right to flow by every

one. the little venice vilnius is connected to the rest of the city by 9 bridges. the residence had created their own world here, and the foreign minister is responsible for building bridges to the outside. so i will call draw all the 9 bridges, all ships. ok to sing of all them. i have to care a world though, and i have to leave their friends. 20 years ago, these houses were squatted and today young artists live here. the jupiter art incubator is an incubator for ceramic artists, painters, authors, musicians, fashion and graphic designers. it's the 1st project of its kind in the entire baltic region. the annual celebration of the independence of the republic of jupiter takes place on april 1st. some think it's a joke, but every one celebrates with her aids and a grand festival. and flying the flag of the republic a hand with a whole,

a sign that you can't hold on to anything in life. unfortunately, not even a republic for poor artists. because in recent years, rich russians and lithuanians have turned sheepish into a trendy neighbourhood. the most expensive residential area in all of vilnius was his heart liber new people are coming. but who are this new people? philip roland, wish to keep the spirit to defending the spirit of the artist republic remains yet another task for its foreign minister. since the government of jupiter has no defense minister, many residents of which rupees have organized anti war demos and protests to show their solidarity with ukraine. the georgian

artist, god, god, was sheets. it is one of these artist activists. so what's the painting about? i can see heroism, a ukrainian flag. so it's all about the ukranian lake. the heroism of the people lay special. the soldier for life fighting in oslo style, or just like in woolen, crying in the how brave they are and how they really fighting forward. not only for the ukraine of ukraine is doing it. ah, they're like protecting laker almost so a wall you opened like the democratic world. i would say i like this little self proclaimed republic. it would be nice if it could keep its charm for a long time to come. another branch of culture that is blossoming business is the film industry. oh, visitors to the lithuanian capital. vilnius and roof include nest about everything

that has happened here in the past. catherine degrades rule. here of occasions happened there. we fought crimes and demons. here eunice focus works is a location manager. in recent years, vilnius has become more popular with filmmakers annually more than 12 series and films are shot in the city. in the blink of an eye, the city hall becomes the entrance to a cathedral where pattering the great passes through the fairies named after the russian empress played by helen mirren. with one of the biggest production usa, the whole square was covered by sand, which are wood basically had the city permits to do it like in 24 hours. so we had to get rid of all the cars and close the traffics to make sure that we have enough space for our equipment. so it all happened in the middle of the city and one of the busiest areas of the all town. so it was a big operation. this is how the villainy a city hall square was transformed into the execution grounds of 18th century st.

petersburg. the locations for catherine, the great palace was spread across the city. villainy as as rich and historical buildings from different epochs. lithuanian writers union is home to one of the most beautiful nearby rock staircases. we always suggest greater solutions to combine places. maybe you can do a staircase here and the room in another place. this location is impressive, and i think part of, of it's is beauty is that it's very surprising. this talks history, you know, tradition, me in the film, the stack. i functions as a private entrance to catherine's chambers, which in turn was sat in a manor house outside the city. the fab, a yawning kaz, high rise district in the north of the city, shows a completely different site. these houses state back to the soviet era of the 1980 . they were among the most modern buildings at the time,

which made them attractive to soviet film directors. when they wanted to shoot something that would look or feel western. ah, they would come here. which of course, still would be quite far away in terms of similarities stood western oil, but still it looked modern and nice to day. it's the other way round, no longer representing an imitation of the west and soviet films. the neighbourhood was recently evacuated and turned into the ukrainian city of free p at, for the award winning miniseries chernobyl beam. where is the real pre p at? has been a ghost town since the 1986 new pierre disaster? the popularity of film? yes. as a film location is all thanks to the film. yes, film office found a 10 years ago director you retire, patty title has observed a growing demand from us and european productions. it's the mix of highly skilled. the professionals here, ah,

a variety of locations or phone tags or incentives and the infrastructure. be it greeting crime theories, baroque, historical epics or disaster films. many more stories are bound to come out of vilnius and yes to come. vilnius presents itself as a very western city, not much evokes its soviet past, but there are still a few architectural relics from the communist era. for example, the former concert and sports palace, the building in the brutal style. in 2006, it was placed under monument protection. however, the building remains unused. it is falling into disrepair. the parliament building of lithuania was built in 1976. the supreme soviet of the

lithuanian soviet socialist republic met here. soviet architecture is usually huge architecture. the opera house, which opened in 1974 is also a reminder of the soviet past. operas and concerts are still performed here to day . finally, i go back to prison luc, his prison, which has become a symbol of freedom. nobody is locked up here any more. i recommend the tour of the prison selves. it still looks the same as it did a 100 years ago. shot who nosebleeds just explained to me what life was like behind these thick walls. a 2 hour tour with him in english costs $20.00 euros. think i

said, what did you do? i stole some sweets from from a shop. and why did you do afterwards? i ran away. and what afterwards? lucas. his prison was considered the alcatraz of lithuania because of its cruelty common criminals and political opponents were imprisoned here. since the prison is in the middle of the old city, the screams of the prisoners inside could easily be heard from outside. so this is like a typical prison cell. absolutely. missis. what you're going to have for the rest of your life. it's small, but kind of comfortable here. you know, at the end of the tour, you get your own mock shot. touching the wall.

no smiling here. ah, the last prisoners were released in 2019 this place whose past is full of scary stories has become a place of artistic freedom almost every evening. there are concerts and film screenings here. ah, i really liked vilios, lots of history, cool architecture arts and the soviet union, fortunately, only exist from the museum. and even if the war in ukraine is relatively close, vilnius is an exciting, and at least for the moment, faith travel destination by, by the next time, ah, ah, ah, ah,

ah, ah, with ah, a conductor tennis d w. what's from with he can look at his and future meet the artist.

a very personal can to nagondo arts 20 ah w with do you like it? with do you want it? okay, then buckle up, put the pedal to the metal and lets ride with read in 60 minutes on d w. o. in a little no. da vinci's, mysterious masterpiece. it's perhaps the greatest leonardo masterpiece in the

collection of the louvre. and no, it is not the mona lisa. it is the virgin of the rocks, 2 versions, multiple copies, and a hidden drawing. was there another symbolic meaning to this beautiful painting that perhaps we just don't understand? the search for answers starts july 7th on d, w. with the relationship between an orchestra conductor is like almost any human relationship, which is to say sometimes there's magic. sometimes it really works well.