"The clear waters of the Neris River and the pine-scented Sapieginė forests shaped the beauty, coziness, and tranquility of Antakalnis' nature, providing all the conditions for relaxation and carefree living. The proximity of this suburb to the city encouraged nobles, larger and smaller gentry, prominent church officials, and city patricians to build their summer residences, villas ('lukiškės'), and spend their leisure days here." 

Excerpt from Vladas Drėma's book "Lost Vilnius"