Case Studies   Vilnius Old Town: Užupis – Paupys Area Case study

1. General indications

1.1. Type of the area

In terms of administration, Užupis/Paupys area is a part of Old Town district of Vilnius. Vilnius Municipality is the main official governor of Užupis/Paupys area, although according to the Law of Land Property the land is owned by the Vilnius County Administration. Economic Department (Seniunija) of the Old Town is the local branch of the Municipality of Vilnius responsible for the principle survey and management of the area.

At present, Užupis covers 0,6 square kilometres, Paupys 0,3 sq. km., which in sum makes the area of up app. 1% of total Vilnius area.

Užupis and Paupys is an area partly falling in the designated and listed zone of Vilnius Old Town – UNESCO World Heritage site. It lies across the crook of the Vilnia river (the smaller of two confluent in Vilnius) from the previously fortified nucleus of the Old Town. The involvement of conservation of the cultural site is displayed clearly in since the year 1998 on-going renovation of the Old Town. Central and most culturally vivacious part of the Old Town has already been renovated, and now some of the remaining edge areas, including Užupis and Paupys, are started to be restored and upgraded.

The Užupis area consists of a ridge, stretching in east-west direction between the meanders of Vilnia river. The Eastern part of the area is an elevated plateau with steep slopes towards the river, while the western section is flat land along the wider riverbank.

Panoramic view of the area in winter 2002

Paupys is mainly an industrial area, bordered with some residential parts. The former characteristic features of the Paupys area are reflected in early 19th century recreation area with spas and park, and former monastery gardens were situated just near by the today’s industrial area. Large wooden houses and fruit gardens formed the residential character of part of Paupys. Today’s industries were established in the beginning of the 20^th century and have architectural and socio-historic qualities in its architecture from the 1940’s and 50’s. The area is situated in the river valley.

INTRODUCTION    1.1. Type of the area