Nacionalinis muziejus Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės valdovų rūmai

About the museum

The Nacionalinis muziejus Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės valdovų rūmai (National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania) was founded in 2009 as a museum of the historic residence type. It is housed in the palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the Vilnius Lower Castle, which was rebuilt after twenty years of archaeological and historical research. The reconstruction of the palace was one of the most important projects of the Lithuanian Millennium programme.

The palace was the political and cultural centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the residence was finally destroyed by the Tsarist Russian authorities. The museum shows surviving authentic walls of various periods, archaeological finds, and interiors of the late Gothic, Renaissance and early Baroque periods with furniture, tapestries and paintings.

The museum's culture, art and history collection consists of more than 1,000 works of fine and applied art, maps, old printed books and historical weapons, created mainly in the 15th–18th centuries; it holds the largest tapestry collection in Lithuania. Besides permanent exhibitions, the museum organises international exhibitions, educational programmes and more than 120 cultural events a year.

Highlights

• Authentic palace and castle walls and archaeological finds in the basements
• Restored representative spaces of the rulers, private apartments, the treasure chamber and the treasury
• Largest tapestry collection in Lithuania
• Observation tower with a view of Vilnius
• Open exhibitions: courtyards, the Renaissance Garden and bas-reliefs

Permanent exhibitions

• Istorija, archeologija, architektūra – The basements display authentic walls of the castle and palace, archaeological finds and Lithuanian iconography, which tell of the development of the residence from the castle to its restoration.
• Valdovų rūmų interjerai – The restored representative and service spaces, private apartments, the treasure chamber and the treasury with authentic furniture, tapestries and paintings; an observation tower.
• Pilies įtvirtinimai, ginkluotė ir kasdienybė – A route about the castle's fortifications, the armoury collection, the palace kitchen and musical traditions, ending in the Events Hall.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Nacionalinis muziejus Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės valdovų rūmai (biudžetinė įstaiga)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Sunday of each month the museum can be visited free of charge (the free ticket must be collected at the cash desk; the observation tower and tours of the exhibitions do not operate that day).

When choosing more than one route, a discount of up to 50 percent applies to each additional route. Holders of the “Vilnius Pass” card receive a free ticket. The same ticket allows several visits to the museum on the same day.

Accessibility

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

Lifts operate on all floors, and a wheelchair can be borrowed if necessary (ask at the cash desks). In the basement of Route I there are some steps of four to five levels, which can be overcome with the help of the lifts. Educational sessions are adapted for visitors with visual, speech and hearing impairments; information in sign language is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Families with small children and pushchairs are welcome; in the basement of Route I it is not safe to take pushchairs up in the lifts, so it is recommended to leave them behind. Family tickets and educational sessions are offered.

Getting there & parking

Motor vehicles, bicycles, scooters, roller skates and skateboards may not be ridden on the museum grounds; stands for them are set up near the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Lockers for visitors' belongings are in the entrance hall; large bags and backpacks must be left in the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit