Each year, thousands of visitors enjoy the stunning ice festival in Harbin in northern China. Now, people in Europe can see something similar closer to home. For the past week the Lithuanian capital Vilnius has presented a frozen town in the main square depicting seven of the city's most beautiful buildings. The town is made entirely of ice and is part of the celebrations marking the city's year as an European cultural capital.

The town is made entirely of ice and is part of the celebrations marking the city's year as an European cultural capital.

There's usually no shortage of ice during the winter in Vilnius.

But over the past week an extra 200 tons have been brought into the Lithuanian capital.

Huge blocks weighing up to 50 kilos have been stacked on the City Square to make way for the latest celebration in Vilnius' year as European Capital of Culture.

The sound of chainsaws resounded throughout the city center as seven sculptors built what is being called "Ice Baroque" ice replicas of seven famous Baroque buildings in the ancient capital.

Sculptor Mindaugas Tendziagolskis said, "The idea of the project is to make a representation of the city of Vilnius as the capital of culture through baroque through ice baroque because baroque gives the brightest impression of the true Vilnius. It's quite unique."

After several days of hard work, the ice city was ready for visitors. It was an immediate hit with the local population, who braved the elements to visit the square.

And at night the ice sculptures are lit up as "Ice Baroque" is turned into an outside night club.

Director Mykolas Vildziunas says this has been a way to enliven and brighten up the city which usually sleeps through the long winter.

A week-long program of events has been generating excitement on the square, reflecting the theme of the Baroque period.

Meanwhile, the musical group Festa Cortese has performed a selection of Medieval and Renaissance dances among the ice sculptures.

And at night the ice sculptures are lit up as "Ice Baroque" is turned into an outside night club.

DJ's from the city's nightclubs take center stage as Festa Cortese delivers a "rap version" of the history of Vilnius.