The Castellan’s House is the newest exhibition unit of the National Museum of Lithuania, presenting Lithuanian history, culture and people who have contributed to the country’s development, as well as introducing visitors to the key ideas that have shaped Lithuania’s identity. 

The main factors influencing Lithuania’s history and culture are presented under the themes of Creation, Beliefs, Struggles, Fractures, Global Links, Faces. Each theme is presented in a separate exhibition hall and covers the most important events and phenomena from ancient times to the present day. 

A brief history

This modest house, built in the late 16th and the first half of the 17th century, has a remarkable history. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved buildings on the Vilnius Castle Estate. It was the headquarters of the Vilnius castellans. The Vilnius Castle Estate began to emerge in the 13th century, along with the Lithuanian state. Construction and renovation were constantly taking place. Many people lived here. It is therefore not surprising that in the middle of the 15th century, the office of a castellan was created. The Vilnius castellan was appointed by the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. A castellan used to oversee construction, castles and royal palaces. He rented the mill and the land, collected taxes, and settled disputes between the people living in the castle area. A castellan served the ruler for life. History has preserved the names of 39 castellans, the last of whom was killed by soldiers of the Russian Empire.

When Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire, gendarmes took up residence in the Castellan’s House, and later artillerymen’s workshops and a kitchen were installed there. Between 2020 and 2024, the Castellan’s House has been explored, restored and equipped with an exhibition dedicated to Lithuania.