The National Museum – Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania was established by the decision of the Lithuanian Government in 2008. The museum was opened in 2013. The museum is located directly in the historical centre of Vilnius and is a part of the former building complex of the Grand Ducal Palace of Lithuania. It collects, preserves, researches, and promotes those cultural, artistic, historical and archaeological artefacts that demonstrate the historical and cultural heritage of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the Lower Castle of Vilnius. In addition, the museum oversees the restoration and public display of the palace interiors. It hosts events organised by the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and other institutions. The activities of the museum promote openness and dissemination of Lithuanian culture abroad.

The palace began to flourish 400 years ago, but, alas, was destroyed 200 years ago. Today, it has been rebuilt, and once again we hope that it will become a symbol of Lithuania’s long lived statehood, of its glorious history as one of the most influential European states in early modern Europe.

All of this is told through the exhibitions in the palace museum. Museum exhibitions reveal the development of the residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in an historical context – from ancient times to the current reconstruction of the palace. The most valuable part of these exhibitions are the authentic ruins in the cellars and the unique archaeological finds displayed there. Exhibitions also guides us through the evolution of the different stylistic eras of the palace and the historical functions of the various rooms. We hope to capture the spirit of palace life and the functioning of the state. Recreated interiors represents various historical eras – the late Gothic, Renaissance and early Baroque – and the treasures of applied and fine arts associated with them.