Gedimino pilies bokštas

About the museum

The Gedimino pilies bokštas (Gediminas Castle Tower) is a surviving part of the Upper Castle of Vilnius on Gediminas Hill. Over the centuries the castle was damaged by Teutonic raids, fires and wars, and in the early 19th century the neglected tower was in such poor condition that its fourth floor collapsed. In 1832–1834 the authorities of the Russian Empire dismantled the two upper floors and built a wooden superstructure on the remaining sections for an optical telegraph. After 1920 the superstructure was removed, and the tower was studied and maintained. The museum in the tower opened in 1960, and since then it has been one of the most visited heritage sites in Lithuania.

The exhibition tells the story of Vilnius as the political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. On the first floor the interactive exhibition “Timeline Views from Gediminas Castle Windows” shows how the appearance of the city has changed since the 14th century. On the second floor the exhibition “The Frequency of Freedom” covers uprisings, struggles for independence, resistance to occupation, the National Revival and the January events of 1991. From the upper viewing platform there is a view of the Vilnius Old Town. On 23 August 1989 the tower became the starting point of the Baltic Way, a living human chain across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Highlights

• Viewing platform with a panorama of Vilnius
• Interactive exhibition “Timeline Views from Gediminas Castle Windows”
• “The Frequency of Freedom” exhibition on the struggle for freedom
• Teutonic projectiles and a crossbow bolt from the 14th–15th centuries
• Funicular up Gediminas Hill

Permanent exhibitions

• Laiko juostos vaizdai pro Gedimino pilies langus – The interactive exhibition on the first floor, with an integrated audio guide, shows how the view of Vilnius from the tower windows has changed since the 14th century.
• Laisvės dažnis – The second-floor exhibition tells about uprisings, struggles for independence, partisan warfare, dissidents, the National Revival and the January events of 1991.

Founded

1960

Operated by

Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Sunday of every month admission is free for all visitors; holders of a Vilnius Pass card are also admitted free.

Reduced ticket – 50% discount on presentation of proof. Educational activities for children from 4 years of age and for pupils cost €3. Children under 12 may not use the funicular without adult supervision.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The viewing platform is accessible to visitors with mobility impairments: they can take the funicular up Gediminas Hill free of charge from the inner courtyard of the Old Arsenal, and an accessible toilet is next to the funicular. The exhibition rooms in the tower itself are not adapted for people with mobility impairments. Cars can be parked on the square by the Old Arsenal, by prior arrangement by phone at +370 5 212 00 17. Some exhibits may be touched. For groups with hearing impairments, a guided tour with a sign-language interpreter is free (by prior arrangement). The exhibition “The Frequency of Freedom” is also adapted and written in easy-to-read language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Family tickets, educational activities for children from 4 years of age and interactive exhibitions. The historic path on the Vilnia River side is unsuitable for pushchairs; it is more convenient to take the funicular with a pushchair.

Getting there & parking

The hill can be climbed by the historic path from the Vilnia River side (not suitable for bicycles, wheelchairs or pushchairs) or by the funicular from the inner courtyard of the Old Arsenal.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit