The spooky route
Filmmakers, already familiar with Vilnius’ picturesque old town and eye-catching examples of contemporary architecture, also often choose the Lithuanian capital for slightly unconventional shooting locations. Films of various genres, from action flicks to serious documentaries, often require locations that may seem unusual or frightening at first glance!
As the year’s spookiest night begins, the Vilnius Film Office invites you to go on a shiver-inducing route!
The Soviet bunker of Nemenčinė
In the Nemenčinė forests, approximately 25 km from Vilnius, there is a Soviet bunker built during the Cold War, in 1985. It was supposed to function as a TV station and, in the event of a war between the Soviet Union and Western powers, this facility would have been used as a backup communications center. Today, the Nemenčinė bunker offers tours and experiential performances, where you can experience the survival drama.
The bunker is also appreciated by filmmakers, who use the facility to bring back to life historical venues and important events that changed the world. For example, the bunker can be seen in the BBC re-enactment documentary series “Rise of the Nazis”. The Soviet Union and Nazi Germany representatives’ meeting scene was shot here, moreover, an imaginary Hitler’s bedroom was also set up inside the facility.
A visit to the bunker can be arranged via the website: http://sovietbunker.com/lt.
Sanatorium “Pušyno kelias”
In Verkiai Regional Park one finds the former rehabilitation center “Pušyno kelias”, a project by architect Saulius Šarkinas. The sanatorium was designed in 1976-1980 and completed circa 1986. Today the structure is closed for security reasons, but the sanatorium’s main building can be viewed from the outside.
The futuristic Swedish film “Paradise City” was shot in the sanatorium. In the film, walls are built in various areas to protect the country’s population from rising conflicts. The largest of these settlements is Järva, also known as Paradise City. Fight scenes were played on the roof of the sanatorium, actors fired weapons, and a special “guard” was on duty here.
Lukiškės Prison
The Lukiškės prison with its imposing exterior and complicated history, is one of the most visited objects in the city today. The popular event venue is appreciated by both Vilnius culture vultures and filmmakers. The prison was featured in several films and TV shows that gained worldwide recognition.
More than a hundred years old, the Lukiškės prison was once one of the most modern penitentiaries in the entire Russian Empire. The prison, which operated during the World Wars, the Soviet era, and Lithuania’s independence, has preserved its original interior and exterior elements until now. Perhaps this explains why the Lukiškės prison today gets so much attention from filmmakers – the former prison’s cells, porches, and offices are considered extremely cinematic.
Probably not everyone knows that the hugely popular TV series “Strange Things” was shot in Lukiškės prison, besides, film crews from Lithuania, Sweden, and France also worked there.
Several scenes for the Netflix series “Clark”, based on the story of one of the most controversial personalities in modern Swedish history, the criminal Clark Olofsson, who became a celebrity, were shot in the facility. In fact, the prison “played” not one, but 5 different penitentiary facilities in the series. Indeed, the Lukiškės prison can easily turn into a completely different venue on screen. During the shooting of the Swedish detective’s “Young Wallander” first season, a large nightclub was set up on the premises. The prison was also featured in “Kompromat” and the Lithuanian motion picture “I’m fine, thanks”.
Liepkalnis water storage
The century-old Liepkalnis water storage recently opened its doors for guided tours, events, and, of course, cinema. The structure, completed in 1916 was used until 1987. Later on, it was closed and protected. The last time the water storage was used for its intended purpose was during the installation of ski tracks in Liepkalnis.
The water storage is built at a depth of 5 meters and has impressive acoustics. The circular room is covered by a vaulted dome supported by 8 columns. Due to the building’s circular shape, the echo here reverberates 5-6 times!
Visits to Liepkalnis water storage can be arranged via the website.
Former Cultural and Sports Centre of the Ministry of the Interior
The Former Cultural and Sports Centre of the Ministry was established in 1980, the building was designed by architect Algimantas Mačiulis. Today, the house hosts various seminars, conferences, sports competitions, rehearsals, and training sessions. The interior of the building is worth visiting for the works of art located here – there is an impressive chandelier, a metal installation, and a fresco.
Scenes for one of the largest film projects developed in Lithuania, the TV series “Chernobyl”, were shot here. Boris Shecherbina (actor Stellan Skarsgård) gave an inspiring speech to the power plant’s workers in the ballroom decorated with Algimantas Mizgiris’ metal artwork.
The movie “Eichman Show” was also shot in this truly remarkable location. The building’s main staircase is even featured in the promotional posters for the film. British actor Martin Freeman, best known for his role in the “Hobbit” trilogy, as well as Lithuanian actors Vaidotas Martinaitis, Džiugas Siaurusaitis, and others starred in the film where Vilnius played a city of Israel.
The building can be visited on weekdays.
Rasos Cemetery
Rasos Cemetery, one of the oldest and most renowned cemeteries in Lithuania, was established at the beginning of the 19th century. Many notable figures in Lithuanian culture, art, and politics rest here, and the diverse array of tombstones, spanning different architectural styles and eras, has become an important cultural and architectural heritage site.
Buried in Rasos Cemetery are signatories of the Act of February 16 (such as J. Basanavičius, J. Vileišis), as well as sculptors, lawyers (like M. P. Römeris), film directors (R. Vabalas), writers (F. Aliachnovič, A. Luckevič, V. Mykolaitis‑Putinas, B. Sruoga), singers (K. Petrauskas), artists (P. Smuglevičius, M. K. Čiurlionis, V. Kisarauskas), historians (J. Lelewelis), lawyers (M. P. Römeris), and other notable individuals.
This location is often chosen by filmmakers as well. Two films by A. Puipa were shot here: the comedy Sinefilija and the surrealist film Midnight Screening, based on a short story by Ukrainian writer Jaroslav Melnyk. Other productions include the comedy Friends’ Bets, the feature film The Cemetery, and a memorable dating scene from the well-known TV series Troll Farm. During filming in Rasos Cemetery, scenes of funerals, grave digging, and even, on one occasion, a sequence requiring the help of climbers in a tree were simulated.
