Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Vilnius

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania has a rich and layered history. Archaeological evidence shows that stone and wooden structures existed on the site as early as the 13th century, but the first significant Gothic stone palace was built in the 15th century, following a major fire in 1419. From the 15th to the 17th centuries, the palace served as the political, administrative, diplomatic, and cultural center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, housing one of Europe鈥檚 richest libraries, as well as priceless paintings, tapestries, and jewels.

Over the centuries, the palace experienced decline. By the 18th century, it had fallen into disrepair, and in 1801, the remaining structure was dismantled under the Russian Empire. The site remained a ruin until reconstruction began in 2002, with the palace reopening in 2018. The rebuilt palace emphasizes its Gothic, Renaissance, and early Baroque styles, reflecting the grandeur of its historic past rather than copying the nearby Neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral.

Today, the palace is part of the National Museum 鈥� Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, offering visitors four distinct routes exploring different facets of its history. Exhibitions showcase the palace鈥檚 evolution through the centuries, the daily life of its residents, its musical traditions, and its armory.

The palace has also hosted modern events of national and international significance, including meetings during Lithuania鈥檚 presidency of the Council of the European Union, welcoming leaders such as Angela Merkel, Fran莽ois Hollande, and David Cameron.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vilnius. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sight Name: Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania

Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vilnius is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

U啪upis District Walking Tour

A tiny isolated area and a former suburb, which now forms part of the Old Town of Vilnius, the Uzupis district is often compared, for its bohemian and laissez-faire atmosphere, to Montmartre of Paris and Freetown Christiania of Copenhagen. Similarly to the latter, in 1997, the district declared itself an independent republic; the tongue-in-cheek constitution of the self-proclaimed 鈥渞epublic鈥�,... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Historical Churches Tour

As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts a wealth of gorgeous churches featuring diverse architectural styles 鈥� Gothic, Baroque, to mention but a few. Many of the local churches are historical, having witnessed centuries of events and become iconic landmarks of the Lithuanian capital.

One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles

Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour

Legend has it that Grand Duke Gediminas dreamed of an iron wolf howling on a hill, inspiring him to found a city that would grow into today鈥檚 Vilnius. Centuries later, in 1812, when Napoleon passed through Vilnius during his Russian campaign, he reportedly described the city as 鈥渁 pearl of the north, full of charm and surprises.鈥�

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of Eastern... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

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