Vilnius’ interiors on screen
The Old Town of Vilnius, its skyscrapers, and other city spots have already been seen by thousands of viewers worldwide. More difficult to recognize, but just as often appearing on screen, are the interiors of Vilnius. The Vilnius Film Office invites you to take a walk through the spaces where famous series and films were shot.
Lavish palace halls in the heart of Vilnius
We recommend starting your route at Vilnius Town Hall. Today, the halls, which have become a venue for concerts and exhibitions, often turn into palace ballrooms or luxurious offices on screen.
For example, in 2023 the satirical Swedish TV series Whiskey on the Rocks was filmed here, transporting viewers back to the 1980s. The series tells the story of a submarine that, on October 27, 1981, ran aground on the southern coast of Sweden, about 10 kilometers from Karlskrona – one of the country’s most important naval bases. This violation of sovereignty triggered tension between Sweden and the USSR, becoming one of the Cold War confrontations, which was resolved through lengthy negotiations lasting 11 days. In Whiskey on the Rocks, viewers can spot both the interior and exterior of Vilnius Town Hall. The Town Hall entrance became a Swedish military base, while the Red Hall served as a political institution’s office.
Meanwhile, the Town Hall’s corridors, halls, and staircase can be seen in the TV series Hilma, which tells the story of Swedish artist and mystic Hilma af Klint (1862–1944) – one of the pioneers of abstract art in the Western world and an early feminist. Her mysterious, philosophical, and spiritualist-inspired paintings continue to raise many questions to this day.
Vilnius Town Hall also played the role of a palace in the hugely popular series Sisi. The story transported viewers to the 19th century, with the building’s interior standing in for one of Hofburg’s grand halls.
In the Smuglevičius Hall – actress Helen Mirren
Continue along Didžioji Street – after just a few minutes you will reach Vilnius University. Take a look around the courtyard of the oldest educational institution in the region – it too has been part of several film scenes. This time, however, let’s step inside. More precisely, into the P. Smuglevičius Hall.
One of the most notable TV series filmed in Vilnius is HBO’s Catherine the Great, which follows the story of Catherine II – the longest-ruling woman in Russia’s history. During her reign, Enlightenment ideas, culture, and science flourished, and numerous universities and theaters were established. The series focuses mainly on the later years of her rule and her relationship with Grigory Potemkin. The lead role was played by Helen Mirren, a renowned British actress and winner of an Academy Award and two Golden Globes.
The authentic environment of Vilnius University attracted the creators of the series. The oldest academic library in the Baltics still operates in premises dating back to the 16th century, which in Catherine the Great briefly became the council chambers of the Russian Empire. Ancient maps and documents, historical flags, and candlesticks were brought in to recreate the period atmosphere.
Christenings at St. John’s Church
Churches also attract filmmakers for various scenes. For instance, in St. John’s Church – located next to Vilnius University and combining Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical features – important christening and wedding scenes of the series Sisi were filmed.
Today, St. John’s Church belongs to Vilnius University. It hosts religious services, graduation ceremonies for university students, concerts, and other events.
Elegant offices in the Writers’ Union building
Continue along Universiteto Street to Gediminas Avenue. On the way, you’ll pass Odminiai Square. Don’t rush – take a moment to look around. Scenes from the series Clark were filmed here. In the show, Odminiai Square became the famous Norrmalmstorg square, where police units observed a bank robbery in progress.
Continue your walk along Gediminas Avenue until you reach K. Sirvydas Street. Turning there, you will see the building of the Lithuanian Writers’ Union – one of the most beautiful palaces in Vilnius. Its walls reflect the city’s literary history, both from Soviet and Independence times: writers lived and worked here, a hotel once operated in the building, and artists used to gather in the café on the ground floor. Inside, you can find one of the most stunning surviving Neo-Baroque interiors in Lithuania – a true attraction for both local and international filmmakers.
Directors discover offices from different eras in the building, lavish palace rooms, and above all – its magnificent staircase, which is undoubtedly the biggest draw. During the filming of HBO’s Catherine the Great, the staircase became part of a luxurious palace interior. The lead role was played by Helen Mirren, the celebrated British actress and winner of an Academy Award and two Golden Globes.
Fans of detective stories may be familiar with the Netflix series Young Wallander, inspired by Henning Mankell’s hugely popular novels. Although the story is set in modern-day Sweden, the series was filmed entirely in Lithuania. The production team also made use of the Writers’ Union building: on the second floor, one of the rooms was transformed into the opulent office of millionaire Leopold Munck, visited by the series’ main character.
A journey through time – the atmosphere of the 1970s
After exploring the Writers’ Union spaces, return to Gediminas Avenue and follow it all the way to the Office Building of the Cooperative Union of Lithuania. You will easily recognize it by its massive shapes and undulating upper floors. What attracts filmmakers the most is the building’s interior – its almost unchanged 1970s atmosphere, which perfectly suits stories set in that era.
According to Jonas Špokas, head of Baltic Locations, who has organized numerous shoots here, the building has hosted both historical episodes (1970–1990) and present-day scenes. In fact, the French film Paradise (Rojus in Lithuanian), shot last year, even depicted the future. “The building’s interior convincingly ‘plays’ state institutions of Scandinavian countries and Germany – ministries, police stations, lawyers’ offices – which is why it serves so many productions by filmmakers from these countries shooting in Lithuania,” he notes.
Filmmakers from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France have all worked here. The building has hosted the filming of TV series such as Bordertown, Loss and Return, Lea, Head Hunters, as well as films like Paradise, Kompromat, and numerous commercials for Lithuanian and international brands.
In 2023, the series Whiskey on the Rocks was also filmed here. The Office Building of the Cooperative Union of Lithuania doubled as Swedish government offices where important political decisions were made. The series portrays, in a caricatured and even scandalous way, three political leaders – Swedish Prime Minister Feldin (played by Swedish actor Rolf Lassgård), Soviet politician Brezhnev (played by Lithuanian actor Kęstutis Stasys Jakštas), and President Reagan (played by British actor Mark Noble).
A library loved by filmmakers
The next stop is just a short walk away – turn onto A. Jakštas Street, and then onto Kaštonų Street.
Not only the street itself, but also the Lithuanian Medical Library, is among the most popular filming locations in Vilnius. Agent Hamilton, Young Wallander, Generation of Evil, Kompromat, Hilma – these are just a few of the films and series shot here.
Step inside – today the library holds more than 500,000 documents. It collects and provides medical information, contributes to the implementation of national health programs, and preserves the written heritage of Lithuanian medical science.
A prison turned into a film set
Lukiškės Prison, with its complex history, is today one of the city’s most visited landmarks. Hosting events, film screenings, guided tours, and concerts, it attracts not only culture-seeking locals but also filmmakers. On screen, Lukiškės Prison has been seen by audiences of various films and popular series around the world.
Dating back more than a century, Lukiškės Prison was once among the most modern facilities in the entire Russian Empire. Operating through the world wars, the Soviet period, and Lithuanian independence, the prison has preserved many of its original interior and exterior elements. Perhaps this is why today it draws so much attention from filmmakers – its cells, hallways, and offices are considered highly cinematic.
Many may have heard that Lukiškės Prison was one of the filming locations of the hugely popular series Stranger Things, but not everyone knows that production crews from Lithuania, Sweden, and France have also worked here.
Scenes were also filmed in Lukiškės Prison for the Netflix series Clark, which tells the story of one of the most controversial figures in modern Swedish history – the criminal-turned-celebrity Clark Olofsson. The authentic interiors stood in for as many as five different prisons in the show. Yet Lukiškės can also transform into entirely different spaces: during the filming of the first season of the Swedish detective series Young Wallander, one of its wings became a large nightclub.
