Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Renaissance palace in Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Lithuania
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a Renaissance building in Cathedral Square in Vilnius with four wings arranged around a central courtyard. The structure blends Renaissance forms with Gothic and Baroque style elements visible on both the exterior and inside the rooms.
The palace was built starting in the 15th century and served as the residence of rulers in the Polish-Lithuanian state until the 17th century. Russian authorities demolished it in 1801 after centuries of political changes in the region.
The palace now functions as a museum that tells the story of Lithuania's ruling families and their power. You can see how nobility lived through the objects they used and the rooms they inhabited, which reflect the tastes and needs of different periods.
Inside you will find several exhibitions spread across different rooms, each showing different aspects of history and royal life. Plan to spend time walking through the building, as it is large and contains many areas to explore.
Excavations beneath the site uncovered more than 300,000 medieval objects, from pottery to weapons. These finds show that people lived here long before the palace and the location had deep historical roots.
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