Kauno pilis

About the museum

Kaunas Castle, built in the mid-14th century, is the oldest historic site in the city and one of the oldest brick castles in Lithuania. It is linked with the first mention of Kaunas: the Teutonic Order’s campaign from Isrutė to Kaunas in 1361, described in Wigand of Marburg’s Chronicle of New Prussia.

At the end of the 14th century the castle became the centre of fierce battles with the Teutonic Order. Destroyed by the enemy, it was rebuilt again, because it controlled important waterways and protected the heart of the state with its capital, Vilnius. At the beginning of the 15th century, during the reign of Vytautas, a second castle rose on the foundations of the first, fragments of which have survived to this day. Next to the castle, in 1408, when Magdeburg rights were granted, the town of Kaunas began to take shape.

In 2010, on the initiative of the Kaunas City Municipality, the south-eastern tower of the castle was restored; since September 2011 the castle has been a branch of the Kauno miesto muziejus (Kaunas City Museum). In five spaces of the tower there are exhibitions on the history of the castle, its changing functions from the 14th century to the present day, and life in Kaunas in the 17th century. Visitors can also see a virtual reconstruction of the castle, in which Vytautas, the castle’s starost Jonas Sungaila and the Flemish traveller Gilbert de Lannoy “speak”.

Highlights

• Exhibitions in five spaces of the tower
• Animation of the 1362 siege and reconstructions from the 15th–20th centuries
• Archaeological finds: cannonballs, chess pieces and stove tile fragments
• Virtual reconstruction of the castle with Vytautas
• Bastion space on the defence of the castle

Permanent exhibitions

• Kauno pilies istorijos mozaika – The most important facts about the castle’s history and personalities, its defensive functions, animated sieges and reconstructions, and archaeological finds.
• Prisiliesk prie XVII a. Kauno: nuo koklio iki puodo šukės – Exhibition on the life of the town in the 17th century, based on archaeological finds – stove tiles, pottery sherds and other household objects.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Kauno miesto muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: In summer on the last Sunday of each month; on 16 February, 11 March, 6 July, during the events of the International Museum Night, and on the Saturday of the Kaunas city birthday festival.

Free admission for pre-school children, pupils and accompanying persons, orphans, social-assistance recipients, persons with disabilities and accompanying persons, persons aged 80 and over, foreigners who have fled from Ukraine, Lithuanian museum workers and ICOM members (on presentation of a document). A 50% discount applies to students, pensioners, victims of occupations, freedom fighters, soldiers and riflemen. Tickets can be paid for at the box office in cash or by card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum and its exhibitions are not adapted for persons with disabilities. The entrance is on the ground floor of the castle tower.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Tours and educational programmes take place at the castle.

Getting there & parking

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