Presidential Palace, Vilnius
The Presidential Palace has a long history. It was originally built in the 14th century and has been enlarged and renovated throughout the centuries.
During the 16th century, it was a residence for Vilnius bishops. The palace was damaged by fires in 1737 and 1748 and rebuilt by architect Laurynas Gucevičius in 1750.
When Lithuania was annexed to the Russian Empire in the 18th century, the palace became the residence of the Governor-General of Vilnius. The palace hosted many historical politicians such as Russian Tsar Alexander I, Emperor Napolean Bonaparte, and French King Louis XVIII.
The palace was reconstructed from 1824-1834 in Empire style. St. Petersburg architect Vasily Stasov supervised the reconstruction, which survives today.
The building was renovated in 1997. Today, the building is the President of Lithuania's official office. When the President is present, the Presidential flag is displayed.
Visitors can watch the ceremonial changing of the guard in front of the palace every day at 6:00 PM. At 12:00 PM on Sundays, visitors can see the flag-hoisting ceremony.
During the 16th century, it was a residence for Vilnius bishops. The palace was damaged by fires in 1737 and 1748 and rebuilt by architect Laurynas Gucevičius in 1750.
When Lithuania was annexed to the Russian Empire in the 18th century, the palace became the residence of the Governor-General of Vilnius. The palace hosted many historical politicians such as Russian Tsar Alexander I, Emperor Napolean Bonaparte, and French King Louis XVIII.
The palace was reconstructed from 1824-1834 in Empire style. St. Petersburg architect Vasily Stasov supervised the reconstruction, which survives today.
The building was renovated in 1997. Today, the building is the President of Lithuania's official office. When the President is present, the Presidential flag is displayed.
Visitors can watch the ceremonial changing of the guard in front of the palace every day at 6:00 PM. At 12:00 PM on Sundays, visitors can see the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vilnius. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Presidential Palace on Map
Sight Name: Presidential Palace
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania
Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vilnius is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Tour
As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania, Vilnius boasts a wealth of gorgeous churches featuring diverse architectural styles – Gothic, Baroque, to mention but a few. Many of the local churches are historical, having witnessed centuries of events and become iconic landmarks of the Lithuanian capital.
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the most famous temples in Vilnius... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Užupis District Walking Tour
A tiny isolated area and a former suburb, which now forms part of the Old Town of Vilnius, the Uzupis district is often compared, for its bohemian and laissez-faire atmosphere, to Montmartre of Paris and Freetown Christiania of Copenhagen. Similarly to the latter, in 1997, the district declared itself an independent republic; the tongue-in-cheek constitution of the self-proclaimed “republic”,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour
The historic and present-day capital of Lithuania, Vilnius is known for the architecture in its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
The name of the city originates from the River Vilnia (which is the Lithuanian for “ripple”). According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas (c. 1275–1341), having hunted near the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers, saw a dream in which a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
The name of the city originates from the River Vilnia (which is the Lithuanian for “ripple”). According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas (c. 1275–1341), having hunted near the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers, saw a dream in which a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles