A City by Two Rivers. Vilnius through the Eyes of Foreigners Between the Fifteenth and Eighteenth Centuries

Abstract

The article examines the image of Vilnius as recorded in the texts of foreigners and foreign intellectuals who visited the city between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries and who presented the known data about the city of Vilnius. This was a contemporary view of the city ‘from the outside’. Such data allow for a more critical assessment of the historical sources about the city created by local people.
The foreign visitors were more attentive to the city’s spaces, the behaviour of its inhabitants, and their daily routine. Naturally, the locals, who themselves were part of this everyday life and lived in it, were oblivious of it. Numerous stories were left behind by foreign diplomats who were visiting Vilnius on purpose or in transit. Much information was recorded by the clergy who were attracted to Vilnius by the Jesuit-founded Vilnius University. Some information about Vilnius was recorded by foreign artisans who visited the city and by various travellers who kept travel diaries. Foreign officers who had served at the court of the ruler came to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Some of them wrote memoirs in which Vilnius was also mentioned. Surprisingly, no accounts written by foreign merchants were found during the research. More information about Vilnius is available in the works of foreign intellectuals.
In the foreigners’ accounts of Vilnius, considerable attention is paid to describing the city’s geographical location. Often, the city was said to be located ‘by two rivers’. The descriptions of Vilnius emphasise the beauty of the surrounding area and the hills amidst which the city was situated. Narrators often described the city’s built-up area and architectural features, stating that the city was mainly wooden and mentioning the few stone buildings, churches, and monasteries. The defensive brick wall of Vilnius is highlighted. The inhabitants of the city are less frequently described. Here, emphasis is placed on the multiethnic and multi-confessional nature of the city. Strangers felt comfortable and safe in Vilnius. Some newcomers found the city cheap to live in, others found it expensive and modest. Many a visitor went shopping in the city. There was interest in local craftsmanship, artisans’ products, and trade. It was noted that goods were brought to the town from distant countries.
The overall image of Vilnius in the eyes of foreigners was more positive than negative. The survey data and the results allow us to raise other questions and try to understand the similarities of Vilnius with other cities in the region.