The classical edifice of the old VU Astronomical Observatory has two slender small towers designed for astronomical observations, and a strong sandstone wall for securing a meridian quadrant.
On the third level, the building is embellished with a Doric frieze bearing the signs of the zodiac on the metopes and at the top of the wall, under a frieze, appear the Roman poet Virgil's reflections on astronomy: "Addidit antiquo virtus nova lumina coelo" ("Courage is given the ancient Universe by new light").
Beneath that: "Haec domus Uraniae est: Curae procul este profanae: Temnitur hic humilis tellus: Hinc itur ad astra" ("This house is that of Urania: be gone profane worries! Here the humble Earth is scorned: from here one rises to the stars").
Thus, the motto of Vilnius University: “Hinc itur ad astra” (“From here one rises to the stars”).
