Vilnius TV-tower

A good thing about TV-towers is that they are usually easy to find, and the Vilnius TV-tower with its 326 meters is no exception in that respect. There are many such towers in Europe, and aside from the view they rarely have much to offer. This one however earned its place in history during the dramatic events of January 1991, when 14 people were killed during the uprising against the communist rule. Many journalists were present, and images from the events outside the TV-tower were broadcasted worldwide. 




The place to go for coffee.
Unless someone is getting married there, of course.

 

Although not seemingly as well maintained or modernized as for instance its German counterpart, this colossal monument over soviet production is still quite impressive. It was one of the first attractions on my to-do list when I first visited the country in 2007. Back then I was not even allowed into the building, because some rich bastards were holding their wedding in the restaurant. The “TV-tower authorities”, or whatever they are called, of course saw no need to announce this. It also proved impossible to bribe ones way in, since the strict young lady guarding the entrance proved unpersuadable by even the most generous amounts. The wedding party probably had deeper pockets than me.




Not being among the more anonymous of buildings,
most TV-towers are easy to find.

 I did however return the following year, and to my luck no wealthy people were getting married on that particular day. The view from the rotating restaurant proved to be spectacular, but as a former farm worker I could not help to notice that the sound coming from the rotating mechanism was all too familiar. I can say with a great degree of certainty that the mechanism bears quite a bit of resemblance to some mechanisms used for handling manure. What Norwegians would call “Møkatrekk”. I do not remember hearing any such sounds when I visited the TV tower in Berlin.  

The towers comparatively more luxurious counterpart in Berlin

On the other hand, I very much enjoyed how the elevator lady made us wait a bit before opening the elevator door on the top floor. This was apparently necessary so that the 165 meter of cable could stabilize, but even when she finally opened the door the threshold was still bobbing up and down quite a bit. So much so that it even reminded me of boarding passenger boats in rough seas. Such things add to the experience, and it gives you a good reminder that 165 meters as rather a long fall. If you are at all in need of such a reminder, that is.  

Rated: Must see, if in the area

 

 

View from the Vilnius TV-tower