Unrealised Projects in Vilnius from the 20th Century

 ‘Vilnius is in a geographical location that makes it a major intercontinental transport hub, but its potential has not yet been fully realised, for reasons related to politics. The intersection of major routes provides an impetus for our capital’s development and growth,’ wrote the Vilnius city architect Vytautas Landsbergis-Žemkalnis in 1940.
Political power in Vilnius changed hands ten times in the 20th century. However, despite the different ideologies and regimes, politicians, planners and architects hoped to create a better world, a better Vilnius, and a better society in general.
More than a hundred urban, architectural, engineering and monument projects, which were explored in the 20th century and could have transformed the face of the city, remain on paper only. Some of them were too bold, others were utopian, and others were simply eccentric. Most did not come to fruition due to a lack of time and resources.
Some of the projects in Vilnius seem to have had a spell cast over them: the visions of Lukiškių Square, Tauras Hill, the stadium and various memorials were subjected to heated discussion in the last century, and still provoke public debate today. We invite you to decide which projects would have made Vilnius more beautiful, and which would have spelt trouble for the city.