Vilnius is famous for its contrasts in the form of modernization and time-honoured charms coexisting in perfect harmony. It’s amazing to note that there is a trendy cafe for every baroque church and a modern work of art in an old cobbled street. The fact that this city encapsulates the best of both worlds makes holidays in Vilnius an enchanting experience. Travel to Vilnius will reveal a rare authenticity that has an almost dream-like quality to it. But beneath all of this, Vilnius isn’t ashamed to hide its battle-worn scars when its Jewish community was destroyed in WW11. The reminders of this loss echoes everywhere and the city has a number of mementos that are dedicated to the Holocaust, one of which is the Museum of Genocide Victims. No culture trip to Vilnius is complete without a visit to the Museum of Genocide Victims. Owing to its significance as a former KGB office, torture chamber and prison, this museum also houses some interesting exhibits that paint a very moving picture of Lithuania’s history. Another attraction of historical relevance that is also very important to Christianity is the Gates of Dawn which is the only remaining city gate from the city wall that once surrounded Vilnius. There is a small chapel inside the Gates that has an icon of the Virgin Mary without Baby Jesus. Hill of Three Crosses is another key attraction in Vilnius. Believed to have been erected in the 17th century by Franciscan monks, the Hill of Three Crosses pays tribute to fellow monks that were murdered. Originally, the crosses were made out of wood but it began rotting over time and hence, were replaced with stone ones. The crosses were demolished by the Soviets and was later rebuilt by sculptor Henrikas Silgalis.