Visitation rules of Vilnius Castles

Vilnius castles are preserved as a cultural reserve. In addition to the usual rules of good behavior (do not litter, do not make noise, do not vandalize, do not graffiti, follow the path and other informational signs), there are rules specifically dedicated to preserving Vilnius castles. It solely depends on you how many future generations (one, two, or more) will be able to enjoy the beauty of Vilnius castles, hills, and valleys.

• Walk only on designated paths (roads, stairs), drive only on roads, and leave vehicles only in designated areas. The castles of Vilnius attract a large number of visitors, so to avoid inconvenience and mishaps, you must adhere to this rule. Additionally, there are protected cultural values in the reserve that are not visible to the naked eye, so it is necessary to walk and drive on designated paths and roads, and vehicles should be kept in designated areas.
• No horseback riding. Unfortunately, over the centuries, the castles of Vilnius have seen many horses, ponies, and other four-legged companions, but today the castles of Vilnius are not suitable for horseback riding. So, you'll have to leave your horse behind and explore the castles of Vilnius on foot.
• Do not climb or ride (even bicycles) on the slopes. The Vilnius Castles are situated on a forge, where the slopes are as steep as in the Alps - very steep. If we ride or descend them, they will suffer the fate of Gediminas Hill - landslides will form, and after a few decades, there will simply be no hills on which the structures of the Vilnius Castles stood.
• Do not climb on the structures or their remains, monuments (statues), or supporting walls. Firstly, you might get hurt, and secondly, by climbing, riding skateboards, or rollerblading, you are simply damaging or destroying these ancient or artistic objects.
• Do not dig, or in any way create holes in the ground. The Vilnius Castles are an archaeological heritage site where the historical archive is not on some shelf but underground. Therefore, by digging or letting your pet dig holes, you are simply damaging this underground archive. It would be the same as entering a library (i.e., a protected area) and starting to tear pages from an old and rare book.
• Do not trample the grass (lawns), do not cut, break, or hang on to trees, shrubs, and other plants. In the castles of Vilnius, ancient trees stand, which in summer create huge shades. Growing a beautiful and strong lawn under such trees is akin to growing bananas in Antarctica. The Vilnius castles are not a park, so climbing, trespassing, or otherwise wandering through the greenery is not the best way to connect with nature. There are other parks in Vilnius designed for that purpose. Additionally, certain trees, shrubs, and other plants are protected as natural heritage values, so breaking, hanging, or cutting them would be unwise as it may lead to criminal liability.
• Do not chop firewood, set up grills, or build tents or other facilities for recreation, sports, or leisure. By chopping firewood or setting up grills, you can cause a fire in the Vilnius castles, while installing tents or other structures can simply damage the cultural or natural values protected here. Therefore, it would be imprudent to do so, as you may incur criminal liability.
• Do not attach advertising or informational posters or announcements. Perhaps it could be done, but 99.9 percent of attached advertising or informational messages are forgotten to be taken down. This way, these messages become hanging litter on poles, buildings, or other structures. Just stop littering. You can share information about an event or other information on Facebook or other less polluting applications.