Garden of the Gate of Dawn Shrine

The Garden of the Gate of Dawn Shrine is a still largely undiscovered green space, where one can experience both the charm of nature and the tranquility created by Vilnius’ historic architecture.

Since the Middle Ages, monasteries were often accompanied by gardens of various purposes, as monks sought greater self-sufficiency and separation from the outside world. The Garden of the Gate of Dawn Shrine is designed according to the claustrum (enclosed garden) principle – as a space for silence and meditation, a small reflection of a terrestrial paradise. Its structure conveys a world in which the four elements – arth, water, air, and fire – are united. The layout symbolizes the order of the world, while the plants reflect Christian symbolism.

The inner courtyard is located in one of the most significant areas of Vilnius Old Town. It is surrounded by the 16th-century defensive city wall, the Gate of Dawn, the Church of St. Teresa, and the buildings of the former Carmelite monastery. The once enclosed monastic garden existed until 1844, when the monks were relocated by order of the Russian Imperial authorities.

After a long period of neglect and decay, the site was restored in 2025 and is now open to visitors as a place of peace and spiritual retreat.