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In the heart of Vilnius
The National Museum – Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania was opened in 2013. It is located directly in the historical center of Vilnius and is a part of the former building complex of the Grand Ducal Palace of Lithuania. A truly magnificent view!
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The mission
The museum collects, preserves, researches, and promotes those cultural, artistic, historical and archaeological artifacts that demonstrate the historical and cultural heritage of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the Lower Castle of Vilnius.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Vilnius Cathedral (2015) by Vytautas Stasys AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Bringing the palace back to life
The museum also oversees the restoration and public display of the palace interiors. It hosts events organized by the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and other institutions. The activities of the museum promote openness and dissemination of Lithuanian culture abroad.
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The past and the present
The exhibitions reveal the development of the residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in an historical context – from ancient times to the current reconstruction of the palace.
Palace ruins with traces of fire damage (16th century) by UnknownNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Authentic ruins
The most valuable part of these exhibitions are the authentic ruins in the cellars and the unique archaeological finds displayed there.
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Here, visitors can see the surviving authentic walls from various periods as well as the rich collection of unique archaeological artifacts.
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The spirit of palace life
Exhibitions also guides us through the evolution of the different stylistic eras of the palace and the historical functions of various rooms. We hope to capture the spirit of palace life and the functioning of the state.
Photograph of Baroque audience hall, or Throne Room (2022) by Mindaugas KaminskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Reconstructed historical interiors
In this part of the exposition visitors can become acquainted with the stylistic development of the residence of the Lithuanian grand dukes through the Late Gothic, Renaissance and Early Baroque epochs
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Vilnius Cathedral (2015) by Vytautas Stasys AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
In these spaces one will find authentic furniture, tapestries, paintings, maps and other treasures that are characteristic of European palace interiors.
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Here, visitors can look into the rulers' representational and utility spaces, their private apartments, the treasury, and upon rising up to the Observation Tower breath-taking panoramas over the capital city unfold before you.
Photograph of the Renaissance garden (2019) by Mindaugas KaminskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Renaissance garden
While exploring the palace, you may stumble across this beautiful spot. Enjoy the Renaissance-era type of garden with all it's smells - herbs and decorative plants found here would have been grown in the 16th century! Feel like a royalty while enjoying rays of sunshine.
Light Installation "Evanescent" (2022) by Vytautas Stasys AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Not a boring moment in sight!
The Palace is always full of events - join in on educational activities, enjoy a concert or a play, find what most interests you in our calendar here.
Photograph from event „Aktas. Istorinės tapatybės beieškant“ (2016) by Marius ŽičiusNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
„Aktas. Istorinės tapatybės beieškant“
Photograph from an even – visual interpretation of history called „Aktas. Istorinės tapatybės beieškant“ (Eng. „Act. In Search of Historical Identity“). This event was part of celebration of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania.
Photograph from Marco Scacchi Old Music Festival in Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in March 2022 (2022) by Vytautas Stasys AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Representative state events, receptions for foreign guests, reward ceremonies, conferences are frequently organized in the Palace, premises can also be rented for events, find more information about it here.
Photograph from Old Music Festival “Baroque Evenings” puppet opera “Caligula” (2015) by Vytautas Stasys AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Old Music Festival “Baroque Evenings”
Photograph from Old Music Festival “Baroque Evenings”, organized by French Institute in Lithuania and National Museum - Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania with partners.
Photograph from Museum Night (2015) by Vytautas Stasys AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Museum Night
Vilnius Old Town is full of legends and stories. Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is no exception. During the Museum Night visitors were invited to open the gates of mysterious legends of Lithuanian history.
Photograph from Opera Andromeda (2023) by Vytautas Stasys AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
The past opens up for the future
The palace began to flourish 400 years ago, but was destroyed 200 years ago. Today, it has been rebuilt, and once again we hope that it will become a symbol of Lithuania’s long lived statehood, of its glorious history as one of the most influential European states.
