Uzupis Angel
About
The Angel of Užupis stands proudly in the main square of Vilnius’s bohemian Užupis district, a self‑declared independent republic within the capital. Unveiled on April 1 2002, the bronze statue portrays an angel blowing a trumpet, a gesture that has become a symbol of the community’s artistic spirit and the district’s playful, free‑spirited identity. The statue was commissioned by local artists to honor animator and caricaturist Zenonas Šteinys, and its unveiling marked a milestone in Užupis’s cultural revival. The sculptor, Romas Vilčiauskas—also the creator of the popular Užupis Mermaid—crafted the angel with a sense of whimsy and reverence. The project was largely funded through the sale of miniature copies of the sculpture, a creative fundraising approach that mirrored the district’s artistic ethos. A temporary oval egg sculpture previously occupied the same site, later sold at auction for 10,200 litas before the angel’s larger figure took its place. Today the Angel of Užupis is one of the district’s most photographed landmarks and a tangible reminder of the area’s “Republic” ethos, with its constitution and flag changing colours with the seasons. Visitors often pause to take photos, listen to the angel’s trumpet call, and read the small plaques that explain the statue’s symbolism, making it a must‑visit point for anyone exploring Vilnius’s unique cultural neighbourhoods.
Highlights
- Angel Sculpture
- Symbolic Statue
- Interactive History