Discover naujamiestis
The increasingly popular Naujamiestis is a well-known and beloved area among filmmakers. Once a highly modern district, today it is home to shops, offices, cafés, and often its streets and locations turn into film sets.
The development of Vilnius’ Naujamiestis began in the mid-19th century, when the railway reached the city. This sparked industrial and commercial growth, and Vilnius began to expand. Workshops were established in Naujamiestis, and later, after World War II, several factories were built in their place. One of the oldest surviving streets in Naujamiestis is Naugarduko Street – the historic postal road to Trakai.
Today the district looks completely different: factories have been replaced by modern lofts and offices, and Naujamiestis is increasingly opening up to cultural events. In addition to its industrial spaces, Naujamiestis houses part of Vilnius Railway Station, Gediminas Avenue, and Tauras Hill – all rich in well-known and cinematic locations.
Vilnius Railway Station
We suggest starting your Naujamiestis route at Vilnius Railway Station, just like beginning a real journey. With over 160 years of history, the station has repeatedly served as a filming location. For example, the Hollywood director Lasse Hallström shot the biographical film Hilma here. The film tells the story of the Swedish artist and mystic Hilma af Klint – one of the first abstract artists in the Western world and an early feminist figure – transporting viewers to Sweden, while the station platform is clearly recognisable on screen.
Loftas
Continue your journey by heading to the arts factory Loftas. Today, this venue is known for live music concerts, DJ performances, festivals, and cultural events. In the past, however, it housed the legendary electronics factory Elfa, which produced record players, radios, and other equipment.
Audiences may recognise Loftas’ spaces from the Swedish detective series Young Wallander, inspired by the hugely popular novels by Henning Mankell. Although the story is set in modern-day Sweden, the series was filmed almost entirely in Lithuania – including Naujamiestis.
Švitrigailos str.
Continue along Švitrigailos Street. Take your time – did you know that the area around K. Čiurlionio, S. Konarskio, and Švitrigailos streets was once called Pohulianka Suburb? Long ago, this road led to Trakai and Kaunas. The former industrial buildings on Švitrigailos Street have since been demolished or repurposed. Some now house lofts and cultural spaces.
As you walk toward Čiurlionio Street, you will pass the building at Švitrigailos St. 11K. In December 2024, a Lithuanian-Swedish-Belgian co-produced TV series was filmed here, turning Vilnius into a chaotic, alien-filled Stockholm.
Keep going – you will easily notice how the scenery changes, as the industrial environment gradually gives way to old-town views.
Čiurlionio str.
Soon you will reach M. K. Čiurlionio Street. In 2025, it served as the filming location for a series about the Mozart family, transforming Vilnius into 18th-century Austria. The series focuses on Salzburg’s musical prodigy and the lesser-known story of his sister, Maria Anna. When Amadeus is dismissed by a powerful financial patron due to a provocative performance, the Mozart family experiences financial ruin. Father Leopold sees only one solution: Maria Anna must marry a wealthy man as quickly as possible. She faces harsh challenges, including the need to impersonate her brother and perform on stage. She embarks on a relentless struggle for her music, her happiness, and ultimately, her life.
Seimas Square
Descend from Tauro Hill and walk straight toward Seimas Square. The wide angles, socialist modernist details, and the impressive steps of the nearby Martynas Mažvydas National Library often attract the attention of advertising creators.
“This location has so much charm, a historic feel, older tiles, and interesting surrounding architecture. A fantastic place for mass scenes or dance sequences. We filmed one of the largest projects of recent years here – the mobile operator Congstar commercial,” – M. Zabelskas previously told the Vilnius Film Office.
Don’t believe it? See for yourself!
Lukiškės Prison
Continue along Gynėjų Street until you reach the filmmakers’ favourite Lukiškės Alley and the historically rich Lukiškės Prison. Today, it is one of the city’s most visited sites. Its spaces for events, film screenings, tours, and concerts attract not only culture-seeking locals but also filmmakers. On screen, Lukiškės Prison has been seen by viewers of various films and popular series worldwide.
With more than a century of history, Lukiškės Prison was once one of the most modern prisons in the entire Russian Empire. Operating through world wars, the Soviet era, and Lithuanian independence, the prison has preserved original interior and exterior elements. Perhaps this is why it attracts so much attention from filmmakers today – former prison cells, lobbies, and offices are considered highly cinematic.
Many have probably heard that the hugely popular series Stranger Things filmed scenes here, but not everyone knows that film crews from Lithuania, Sweden, and France also worked at the prison.
Scenes for the Netflix series Clark, which tells the story of one of modern Sweden’s most controversial figures – the infamous criminal Clark Olofson – were also shot at Lukiškės. Authentic prison spaces in the series represented as many as five different institutions. Lukiškės Prison can also portray other locations on screen: for the first season of the Swedish detective series Young Wallander, a large nightclub was set up here. Lukiškės has also appeared in the films Kompromat and the Lithuanian movie Man viskas gerai
