For many people, Naujoji Vilnia is associated with nature and expressive landscapes, the railway, or its intriguing history. Today, this neighborhood is not only seeing the development of new residential areas and walking routes—it is also increasingly being discovered by filmmakers.
Although Naujoji Vilnia is now an integral part of Vilnius, not so long ago it was an independent town with big ambitions. In the second half of the 19th century, the Saint Petersburg–Warsaw and Liepāja–Romny railway lines were built here, along with a railway station, turning the settlement into an important transport hub. Later, factories producing scythes, leather goods, knitwear, and other products were established, a parish was founded, and the area gained the status of a separate town known as Novovileisk.
Rapidly developing Naujoji Vilnia has increasingly become a filming location as well. In recent years, filmmakers and advertising teams from Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom have worked here.
In 2023, the Swedish TV series Paradis City was filmed in Vilnius. The tense storyline is set in Sweden in the near future, where rising social conflicts lead to the construction of protective walls in various areas to safeguard residents. The largest of these settlements is Järva, also known as Paradise City. Due to its resemblance to Swedish residential areas, a significant portion of the series was filmed in the Naujoji Vilnia district.
“Out of many possible locations, we chose Naujoji Vilnia because of its architecture and a style characteristic of Sweden. We were also fascinated by the vibrant atmosphere of the local market—it was immediately clear that we wanted to turn this place into one of our key filming locations,” one of the producers, Jakob Jonas, previously told the Vilnius Film Office.
One of the main scenes of the series takes place at the Naujoji Vilnia market, where a popular yet controversial Swedish minister of the interior is kidnapped. During filming, protective fences against rioters were erected, gunshots echoed through the area, and a large crowd of extras gathered for mass scenes.
Filmmakers Turn Their Gaze to Vilnia’s Nature
Naujoji Vilnia is also well known for its dramatic terrain and natural landscapes—features that naturally attract filmmakers’ attention.
For example, scenes for the German–Austrian series Sisi were filmed in Belmontas. Sisi is a costume drama that tells the coming-of-age story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and has enjoyed great popularity in Germany, Italy, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Hungary. While the series transformed Vilnius Old Town into 19th-century Austria, filming also moved to other parts of the city, including the lush greenery of Belmontas.
Filmmakers have not overlooked the Pūčkoriai Cliff either. In 2025, the Danish–Norwegian historical thriller Rinnan was filmed there. A team of one hundred people worked on the project, nearly eighty of whom were Lithuanian film professionals.
“Lithuania’s landscapes and cities, with their distinctive architecture, bear striking similarities to Norway, and the country offers many authentically preserved and visually impressive filming locations. The professionalism of Lithuanian film crews, the stunning locations, and the excellent infrastructure left us with a very positive first impression of the country,” said producer Kristin Ulseth, sharing her experience of filming in Lithuania.
Naujoji Vilnia’s Streets on Screen
Filmmakers are equally drawn to Naujoji Vilnia’s streets and more urban landscapes. In 2025, the British six-part television series Honey was filmed on Pramonės Street. The series transports viewers to 1980s East Berlin and follows a young, ambitious British spy navigating a city filled with political tension, counterintelligence, and dangerous relationships.
Naujoji Vilnia—more specifically, Linksmoji Street—will soon also appear on Lithuanian screens in director Karolis Kaupinis’s absurdist comedy The Hunger Strikers’ Hut. The film tells the story of Daiva, a television news presenter who one day loses her job along with hundreds of colleagues. Energetic and determined, she decides to do whatever it takes for television. By announcing a hunger strike, she and two fellow participants move into a trailer next to the TV building, hoping to attract the attention of international media.
