Signatarų namai

About the museum

The Signatarų namai (Signatories' House), formerly known as the Štralis House, stands on Pilies Street in Vilnius. The building is first mentioned in 1645. At the end of the 19th century it was remodelled in neo-Renaissance style by Kazimieras Štralis, who opened a café there. During the First World War the building housed the Lithuanian Relief Committee. On 16 February 1918, twenty members of the Lithuanian Council signed the Act of Independence of Lithuania in one of its offices on the second floor.

After the restoration of independence, in 1990, the building was allocated to a museum, which opened in 2000; since 2003 it has been a branch of the Lithuanian National Museum. The exhibition uses both classic and new technological means to present Lithuania's path to statehood from the second half of the 19th century to the signing of the Act of 16 February. The story is told through the generation of the signatories – their ideas, values and activities – and visitors see authentic exhibits: personal belongings of the signatories, President Antanas Smetona's golden pen, Aleksandras Stulginskis's clock, and songs recorded with Jonas Basanavičius's phonograph.

From 7 July 2026 to 6 January 2027 the museum is closed for the installation of a renovated exhibition. After the renovation, visitors can look forward to a new exhibition about Jonas Basanavičius and an updated part of the permanent exhibition on the first floor. Guided tours and an escape room game take place in the building's Gothic cellars.

Highlights

• The house where the Act of Independence was signed in 1918
• The room where the Act of Independence was signed
• Personal belongings of the signatories and authentic exhibits
• Songs recorded by Jonas Basanavičius on a phonograph
• Gothic cellars and an escape room game

Permanent exhibitions

• Vasario 16-oji ir jos epocha – Classic and new technological means present Lithuania's path to statehood from the second half of the 19th century to the signing of the Act of 16 February; twenty signatories are presented.
• Paroda apie Joną Basanavičių ir atnaujinta nuolatinės ekspozicijos dalis – After the renovation, a new exhibition about Jonas Basanavičius opens, along with an updated part of the permanent exhibition on the first floor.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free on the last Sunday of every month. Since May 2026 the Signatarų namai has temporarily not taken part in this initiative because of renovation work.

Prices apply to guided tour tickets; with the “Vilnius Pass” card admission is free. Ukrainian citizens, journalists, ICOM members and other holders of reductions also visit free of charge.

Accessibility

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

The main exhibition rooms, such as the room where the Act of Independence was signed, and the toilets are adapted for people with mobility impairments. Access is via an outdoor lift in the inner courtyard; the exhibition spreads over two floors, which are connected by lift and stairs. The historic building has some small connecting rooms and narrow staircases. There are no tactile markings or tactile models, but visitors with visual impairments are accompanied by an educator-guide. It is recommended to notify the Education Department in advance, tel. +370 652 93552.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational sessions are offered for children from 4 years and for pupils, as well as an escape room game in the Gothic cellars.

Getting there & parking

From Cathedral Square, walk along Pilies Street to the arch leading to the inner courtyard; the museum's façade bears the gold lettering “Signatarų namai”.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Premises can be rented on submission of an application.

Plan your visit