LRT January 13th Memorial

What to expect

The LRT January 13th Memorial stands at the Lithuanian Radio and Television building on S. Konarskio gatvė, where Soviet troops moved against unarmed civilians in the early hours of 13 January 1991. That night — alongside the assault on the Vilnius TV Tower — became a defining moment in Lithuania's struggle for independence, when ordinary people gathered to defend their broadcasters. The memorial is a quiet square set aside for remembering the victims of those events.

Visitors describe it as historically significant and genuinely moving, valued above all for what it represents: peaceful, unarmed civil resistance in the face of military force. It's a reflective, understated place rather than a grand monument — and some find the physical marker itself modest — but its power lies in the history it commemorates and its continuing educational role.

• Commemorates: the victims of the Soviet aggression of 13 January 1991
• Atmosphere: quiet, reflective, open to visit
• Significance: a symbol of peaceful civil resistance and Lithuania's path to independence

Good to know

This is a place to visit thoughtfully — read up on the January 1991 events beforehand and the site takes on far more meaning. Each year around 13 January, Lithuanians mark the anniversary with bonfires and ceremonies of remembrance across the country, including at the radio and television building. It pairs well with the city's other independence and resistance sites for travellers exploring this chapter of Lithuanian history.

It's an outdoor public memorial, so there are no set hours; treat it as a reflective stop rather than a ticketed attraction.