Sereikiškės Park (previously known as Bernardine or Youth Garden)[1] is a public park in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. It is located on the right bank of the Vilnia River between the Gediminas Tower and Bernardine Monastery. Most of its territory is parkland, including a children's amusement park. It hosts a variety of festivals and exhibitions, including an amateur chess championship of Ostap Bender.[2]
At first the area was a swampy land surrounded on two sides by the Vilnia River. When the park was acquired by the Bernardines during the 18th century, the monks drained the territory and established a park, mainly used by their religious community.[1] During the early 19th century, the order established a botanical garden there. It was closed in 1842 and later served as the personal garden of the Governor General and as a summering area for the local gentry. At the end of the 19th century it became a public space with an entertainment garden, theatre, open stage, and restaurant. Tennis courts and sporting grounds were added after World War I.