Few people would suspect that the official geographical centre of Europe is in Lithuania. But it is, and the Lithuanians are proud of it. While revising the borders of Europe, the French National Geographic Institute worked out that the continent’s real geographical centre is situated 26km to the north of Vilnius, close to the village of Purniškės. This fact is also registered in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Since the number of tourists wanting to see the site has increased, a tourist information centre was opened here as a part of the celebrations dedicated to Lithuania becoming a member of the EU on 1 May 2004. The site was decorated by a white granite column, its top decorated with a crown of 12 stars that symbolizes the return of Lithuania to Europe. Every visitor to the Centre of Europe is given a certificate in Lithuanian and other languages proving his or her visit to this memorable spot.

www.egc.lt