The Republic of Užupis

Užupis means "on the other side of the river" in the Lithuanian language and refers to the Vilnia River; the name Vilnius was derived from the Vilnia. The district has been popular with artists for some time, and has been compared to Montmartre in Paris and to Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen, due to its bohemic and never-mind atmosphere. On April 1, 1997, the district declared itself an independent republic (The Republic of Užupis).