The gate of Dawn (Ausros Vartai) was built in the 15th century as a city gate leading to the village Medininkai south of Vilnius (on the road to Minsk in Belarus). The gate is the only one out of nine, remaining undestroyed by wars. In 1671 the Carmelites from the neighbouring St. Theresa's Church built a chapel above the gate to house a holy image of the Virgin Mary, the White Madonna, said to have miraculous powers. Thousands of votive offerings decorate the walls and many pilgrims come to pray, queuing up on the stairs which were installed in the 18th century to connect the chapel to the adjacent Church of St. Theresa. Mass is said in both Polish and Lithuanian.

At the beginning of the 16th century, Vilnius was surrounded by a brick and stonewall with nine gates. The most representative was the Gate of Dawn (or Medininkai), the road, through which (by streets of Ausros Vartai, Didzioji, Pilies) led straight to the Palace of Grand Dukes next to the Cathedral. Usually, the town gates had chapels in them, filled with religious pictures that were meant to protect the city from enemies and to bless people leaving the town. The chapel in the Gate of Dawn contains a famous miraculous picture "The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy", which makes it very eminent. Today this is the only gate survived of all towns' gates.

On September 4, 1993 Pope John Paul II offered prayers at the Gate of Dawn Chapel. Church festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy is of utmost importance in the archdiocese of Vilnius and celebrated in the third week of November. The holiday of the Gate of Dawn Mother of Mercy is on November

The history of Europe is filled with epic battles, brave campaigns, and tales of warriors performing heroic deeds. And for every warrior who took up a blade, there was a city that needed a way to defend itself. That's why so many of the continent's historic cities are ringed by fortress walls, and many times, architectural gems like fortress gates. This particular gate was built in the 15th century as a way to let people out of the city of Vilnius so they could trade with Medininkai Castle, and farther lands. It was also designed to keep undesirables out. It is the only one of the city's gates still standing. Perhaps it is protected by the fact that a chapel has been constructed above the portal. The chapel is a popular tourist destination because it is the home of the "White Madonna" - a Renaissance-era painting that is said to possess healing power.

Above the gate is a shrine containing an image of the Virgin, long an object of pilgrimage.