The Bell Tower is an important part of the complex comprising Vilnius Cathedral Basilica and the Lower and Upper Castles and the symbol of the city. The history of  Bell Tower dates back to the middle of the 13th century. It acquired its current appearance in the early 19th century. The oldest clock in the city shows time in the upper part of the structure; the tolling of the bells invite people to Holy Mass, and an unexpected panoramic view of Vilnius opens out.

During the Soviet times a decision was made to install a carillon in the Cathedral Bell Tower. Bells of various sizes were brought here from closed churches in Lithuania. But despite drilling, milling and grinding, the efforts to tune the bells failed. In 2009 they were restored in the workshop of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Some of the bells have been returned to the churches from which they were taken, others are on display in the Bell Tower.