Vilnius Castle Complex

The Vilnius Castle Complex is a collection of historic fortifications and state buildings in central Vilnius, Lithuania, with medieval origins and major surviving elements such as Gediminas’ Tower and the Palace of the Grand Dukes. It is the historic political and ceremonial centre of the city.

The site includes the brick Gediminas’ Tower, which houses exhibits and offers panoramic views over Vilnius and the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. The reconstructed Palace of the Grand Dukes contains permanent museum displays on Lithuania’s medieval and early modern state history, while the Cathedral and Cathedral Square provide a focal point for civic events. Visitors can walk the castle hill terraces and see remnants of the Upper and Lower Castle fortifications in the city centre.

The complex grew from medieval fortifications that developed from the 13th and 14th centuries as Vilnius became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The palace served as the ducal and later royal residence and was altered repeatedly until decline and partial demolition; a major modern reconstruction of the palace and museum was completed in the 2010s. Gediminas’ Tower is a surviving element of the earlier castle and has become a national symbol.

The castle complex sits on a hill above the old town, where the rivers Neris and Vilnia meet, in the centre of Vilnius. It is immediately adjacent to Cathedral Square and is within easy walking distance of the historic city centre.

• Best viewpoint: Climb or take the funicular to Gediminas' Tower for the clearest city views and photography across the old town and the Neris river, especially at sunrise or sunset.
• Palace museum: The Palace of the Grand Dukes reopened as a major museum in the 2010s after an extended reconstruction that recreated parts of the original Renaissance and later palace buildings.

What to See #

• Gediminas' Tower: A brick tower that is the visible remnant of the Upper Castle and a city symbol; the tower contains a small museum and provides panoramic views over Vilnius and the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers.
• Palace of the Grand Dukes: A reconstructed historic complex that houses the National Museum of Lithuania's displays on the medieval Grand Duchy and later royal and state history; the palace reconstruction work was completed and opened to the public in the 2010s.
• Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square: The Roman Catholic cathedral and its surrounding Cathedral Square form the ceremonial heart of the complex and are adjacent to the castle hill and palace grounds.
• Upper and Lower Castle: The Upper and Lower Castle sites include the remains of defensive walls, terraces and ramparts that mark the medieval fortified core of the city.