Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Native name
Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės valdovų rūmai (Lithuanian)
Palace in 2019
Map
TypeResidental palace
LocationVilnius, Lithuania
Coordinates54°41′10″N 25°17′20″E / 54.6862°N 25.2890°E / 54.6862; 25.2890
Built15th and 16th centuries
Rebuilt2002-2009
Architectural style(s)Gothic, Renaissance, Early Baroque
OwnerThe National Museum of Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Official nameVilnius Old Town
TypeCultural
CriteriaII, IV
Designated1994 (18th session)
Reference no.541
CountryLithuania
RegionEurope and North America
TypeNational
Designated20 November, 2001[1]
Reference no.24709
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is located in Lithuania
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Location of Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Lithuania
Aerial photography of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania from the tower of the Church of St. Johns
Vilnius Castle Complex in 1740.
Upper Castle: 1. Western tower (Gediminas Tower); 2. Southern tower (foundations remaining); 3. Palace (ruins remaining)
Lower Castle: 4. Gates and bridge to the city (Pilies Street); 5. Road and bridge to a Tilto Street; 6. Cathedral; 7. Palace of Supreme Tribunal; 8. Palace of bishops; 9. Royal Palace; 10. Palace garden; 11. Palace building, arsenal since the late 18th century, currently museum; 12. North-eastern tower and gates of arsenal; 13. Yard of arsenal

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania[2] (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės valdovų rūmai Vilniaus žemutinėje pilyje; Polish: Zamek Dolny w Wilnie) is a palace in Vilnius, Lithuania. It was originally constructed in the 15th century for the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the future Kings of Poland. The palace, located in the lower castle of Vilnius, evolved over the years and prospered during the 16th and mid-17th centuries. For four centuries the palace was the political, administrative and cultural centre of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was demolished in 1801.

Work on a new palace started in 2002 on the site of the original building and it took 16 years to complete it in 2018. The palace was rebuilt in a Renaissance style. According to the testimony of one of the couriers of Bona Sforza such initial reconstruction from 1520 to 1530 cost 100,000 gold ducats and was ordered by Sigismund I the Old.[3] It is believed that the reconstruction was made for the proclamation ceremonies of Sigismund II Augustus, the only son of Sigismund I the Old, as the Grand Duke of Lithuania.[3]

  1. ^ "DĖL KULTŪROS PAVELDO OBJEKTŲ PASKELBIMO KULTŪROS PAMINKLAIS". e-seimas.lrs.lt. Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo kanceliarija. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  2. ^ "National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania". v1.valdovurumai.lt.
  3. ^ a b "Historical Outline". valdovurumai.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 1 May 2020.