The University occupies a large section of the Old Town, with Sv. Jono, Skapo and Universiteto streets as its boundaries. Founded by Jesuits in 1579, Vilnius University is amongst the oldest, most famous schools in Eastern Europe. It's fleet of buildings are among the best preserved in town and represent an array of architectural styles. A maze of 13 courtyards, arcades and decorative arches, galleries, monuments, murals, frescoes and an old astronomical observatory - the two main highlights are the Church of St. John with its towering belfry, and the University Library containing over 6 million tomes, many ancient, unique and rare. The richly decorated interiors of the University are well worth investigating, where you'll find the medieval surroundings to be in happy contrast to the lively atmosphere created by the school's students who give the whole city its energy. Famous alumni include Adam Mickiewicz and Czeslaw Milosz.
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