The Land of Dreamers and Fools

Once, at the foot of the current Old Town, a beautiful mermaid came out of the water to relax a little on the sandy shore. She liked the place so much that she decided to stay here forever, but she wanted everyone else to like it, so she waved her magic cilia and turned everything beyond the river into the most amazing and happy republic - Zarechye! And she quietly settled herself under the bridge over Vilniala.

You think I'm joking when I call Zarechye a republic?

Until April 1, 1997, it was the most abandoned area of the city, until the mermaid and the residents of this place proclaimed an independent "Republic of Užupis" - with their own flag, anthem, currency. The tiny republic of seven thousand inhabitants and an area of 60 hectares has its own president, four ministers and consuls. Uzupis consulates are located in galleries and squats in 320 cities around the world. Uzupis even has its own army of 12 people and a fleet made by children of boats, which are allowed on April 1.

The republic has its own constitution, the first paragraph of which states: “A person has the right to live near Vilniale, and Vilniale flows near a person.”

This is the first one, and there are 32. Do you want to know what the remaining 31 points are? Then immediately buy a ticket and join our friendly company, which loves to walk here!

We say hello to the mermaid, cross the bridge and find ourselves in a special incubator, an art incubator. From the Tibetan Square we will reach the wall with the Zarechen Constitution and it is quite possible that you will read it in your native language! And then... And then the road will show us a tin angel. He'll tell you everything else!