The Royal Palace of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Valdovų rūmai) is a palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, built in the 15th century for the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was demolished in 1801 and is currently being rebuilt.
Higher Castle: 1. Western tower; 2. Southern tower (foundations remaining); 3. Palace (ruins remaining)
Lower Castle: 4. Gates and bridge to the city (Pilies Street); 5. Road and bridge to a Tilto street; 6. Cathedral; 7. Palace of Supreme Tribunal; 8. Palace of bishops; 9. Royal Palace; 10. Palace garden; 11. Palace building, arsenal since the late 18th sentury, currently museum; 12. North-eastern tower and gates of arsenal; 13. Yard of arsenal
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History
In the early 15th century a Gothic palace was built behind Vilnius Cathedral as a part of Vilnius Lower Castle. Older 13th and 14th century buildings were demolished during construction. In the 16th century, Italian architects expanded and reconstructed the palace in the Renaissance style. In August 1655, Vilnius was captured by the Muscovite army. The Polish-Lithuanian army recaptured the city six years later, by which time the palace had been destroyed by fire. It was deemed unsuitable for a royal residence and stood unused for 100 years. In the late 18th century the palace was home to a number of Vilnian families. In 1795 Lithuania was annexed by Russia and in 1799 the derelict palace was scheduled for demolition. In 1801 it was dismantled and the bricks and stones were sold. Around 1800 commersant Abraham Schlossberg received permission to build a house using the remains of the palace beside the Gediminas mountain. After the 1831 rebellion, the czarist government expelled Schlossberg and took over the building as it was building a fortress beside it. Before the Second World War it was the office of the Lithuanian Army, during WW2 it was the office of the German Army, and after WW2 it was used by Soviet security structures and later transformed into the Palace of Pioneers. Fragments of Schlossberg's house will become part of the Eastern Wing of the restored Royal Palace. [1] A new palace has been under construction since 2002 on the site of the original building.
Criticism of reconstruction
Historians, who are against reconstruction, provide many arguments why reconstruction of Royal Palace is unnecessary. It is argued that the newly built Palace will destroy the urban landscape formed over the last 300 years. Vilnius Cathedral will be overshadowed by the Royal Palace, and Gediminas Castle will not be visible from the side of the cathedral. Materials and technologies unknown at the time of original construction are used. The function of the finished building is still unknown. The construction of the replica of the Royal Palace is being financed by the State while many historic authentic buildings are in critical condition. [2]
References
- ^ (Lithuanian) Liucija Abromaitė. Pionierių rūmai koreguoja Valdovų rūmų viziją (Palace of Pioneers corrects vision of Royal Palace). Lietuvos žinios, No. 165 (11502), 22 July, 2006
- ^ (Lithuanian) Audrius Bačiulis. Valdovų rūmai prieš Sapiegų rūmus (Royal Palace versus Sapiegos Palace) , Veidas, 2005.04.21 - No. 16
Other palaces rebuilt after demolition
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