Editing Vilnius (section)

==Etymology and other names==
The name of Vilnius first appeared in Latin-edited letters by [[Gediminas]] from the year 1323, in the form ''Vilna'' (''in civitate nostra regia, dicta Vilna'').{{Sfn|Bednarczuk|2010|p=3}} In another letter from 1325, the form ''Wilno'' also appears (''Datum Wilno'').{{Sfn|Bednarczuk|2010|p=3}} Both forms ultimately originate from the old Lithuanian name of the tributary river [[Vilnia]] (meaning ripple),<ref>{{cite web |title=Portrait of the Regions of Lithuania – Vilnius city municipality |url=http://regionai.stat.gov.lt/en/vilniaus_apskritis/vilniaus_miesto_savivaldybe.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722022923/http://regionai.stat.gov.lt/en/vilniaus_apskritis/vilniaus_miesto_savivaldybe.html |archive-date=22 July 2015 |access-date=1 August 2015 |publisher=Department of Statistics}}</ref> which flows into the [[Neris River]] in the center of old Vilnius, near the [[Castle Hill (Vilnius)|Castle Hill]]. The name of the river was transferred to the city.{{Sfn|Bednarczuk|2010|p=3}} The form ''Wilno'' is still used in the Polish language today. The Lithuanian form ''Vilnius'', which is used today, was recorded at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries in [[Mikalojus Daukša]]'s “[[Postil of Mikalojus Daukša|Postil]],” but it only became widespread during the Lithuanian national revival at the end of the 19th century.{{Sfn|Bednarczuk|2010|p=3}}

The form ''Vilna'' made its way into Western European languages and for a long time served as the standard designation for the city of Vilnius, especially in historical and diplomatic texts. The most notable non-Lithuanian names for the city include {{langx|la|Vilna}}, {{langx|pl|Wilno}}, {{langx|be|Вiльня}} (''Vilnia''), {{langx|de|Wilna}}, {{langx|lv|Viļņa}}, {{langx|uk|Вільно}} (''Vilno''), {{langx|yi|ווילנע}} (''Vilne''), {{langx|he|וילנה}} (''Vilna''). A Russian name dating to the [[Russian Empire]] was Вильна (''Vilna''),<ref>{{cite journal |last=Лавринец |first=Павел |date=20 October 2004 |script-title=ru:''Русская Вильна'': идея и формула |journal=Балканская Русистика |location=Вильнюс |url=http://www.russian.slavica.org/article780.html#_ftn20 |access-date=18 August 2009 |language=ru}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Васютинский |first1=А.М. |first2=А.К. |last2=Дживелегов |first3=С.П. |last3=Мельгунов |script-title=ru:Французы в России. 1812 г. По воспоминаниям современников-иностранцев. |title=Задруга |location=Москва |publisher=Задруга |year=1912 |volume=1–3 |chapter=Фон Зукков, По дороге в Вильно |chapter-url=http://www.hrono.ru/libris/lib_n/12n429.html |access-date=18 August 2009 |language=ru}}</ref> although Вильнюс (''Vilnyus'') is now used.

[[File:Painting depicting the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas' dream about an Iron Wolf (painted by Aleksander Lesser in 1835).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|1835 painting by [[Aleksander Lesser]] of Gediminas' dream about an Iron Wolf]]According to a legend recorded around the 1530s, Grand Duke [[Gediminas]] (c. 1275–1341) was hunting in the sacred forest near [[Šventaragis' Valley]], where the [[Vilnia River]] flows into the [[Neris]]. The successful hunt for a [[wisent]] lasted longer than expected, and Gediminas decided to spend the night in the valley. That night, he dreamed of a huge Iron Wolf standing on top of a hill, howling loudly. Upon awakening, the Duke asked the ''[[krivis]]'' [[Lizdeika]] to interpret the dream. The chief priest explained:<blockquote>What is destined for the ruler and the State of Lithuania, is thus: the Iron Wolf [[Vilnius Castle Complex|represents a castle]] and a city which will be established by you on this site. This city will be the capital of the Lithuanian lands and the dwelling of [[List of heads of state of Lithuania|their rulers]], and the glory of their deeds shall echo throughout the world.</blockquote>
Gediminas, obeying [[List of Lithuanian gods and mythological figures|the gods]], built two castles: the Lower Castle in the valley, and the Crooked Castle on [[Three Crosses|Bald Hill]]. He moved his court there, declared it his permanent seat and capital, and developed the surrounding area into a city he named Vilnius.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ironwolf.lt/the-legend-of-the-founding-of-vilnius/ |title=The Legend of the Founding of Vilnius - Gediminas Dream |website=Ironwolf.lt |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=October 2023}}<ref name="leg">{{cite news | last=Gudmantas | first=Kęstutis | title=LDK istorija: Metraščių pasakojimas apie Vilniaus įkūrimą – mitas ir istorija | work=15min | date=9 December 2013 | url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/istorija/ldk-istorija-metrasciu-pasakojimas-apie-vilniaus-ikurima-mitas-ir-istorija-582-391039 | language=lt | access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref>
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