Verkiai Palace, Neoclassical palace in Verkiai district, Lithuania.
Verkiai Palace is a neoclassical residence in a large park north of Vilnius, featuring two lateral buildings of which the eastern one preserves interiors from the Wittgenstein period. The complex arranges multiple structures around a central palace building in a formal layout.
The site began as a wooden manor in the 13th century but was transformed into the current grand palace under Bishop Ignacy Massalski's direction around 1780. This rebuilding elevated the location to a major aristocratic seat in the region.
The grounds carry the name of Verkiai village, reflecting the historical connection between the estate and its surrounding community. Today, visitors experience the park as a place where buildings and forests coexist as part of local heritage.
The grounds operate today as Verkiai Regional Park and house the Lithuanian Institute of Botany and Nature Research Center within its buildings. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the park includes forest paths and open green spaces.
The first photograph in Lithuania was taken at this location in 1839 by Karol Podczaszyński using daguerreotype technology to document restoration work. This early experiment marked the beginning of the country's photographic history.
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