Historical Presidential Palace, Kaunas
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The Historical Presidential Palace (Lithuanian: Istorinė Prezidentūra) is a Neo-baroque building in Kaunas, Lithuania that served as the Presidential Palace during the interwar years. Today, the palace is a branch of the M. K. Čiurlionis Art museum.
[edit] History
Construction of the building started in 1846, when a local aristocrat received permission to build a two-story building. The project featured a symmetrical building with seven rooms on the first floor and nine rooms on the second. A few years later the building was expanded; along with other improvements another portal was added. In 1866, a garden was laid out in front of the building. Two years later, additional structures were built nearby, and the building was rented by the Russian government as a residence for local governors. In 1876, the building was purchased by the government. During the latter part of the 19th century the building underwent further expansion – an additional wing was constructed as well as a new gallery. On 1915 German Kaizer Wilhelm II stayed in Palace.
After Lithuania proclaimed its independence in 1918, the palace was used by the Lithuanian government. Since Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, was occupied by Poland, Kaunas became a temporary capital and the building was designated the Presidential Palace. It underwent restoration and was established as the President's official residence. The garden was surrounded by a cast iron fence that has survived to the present day. The palace served as the presidential residence until 1940, when Lithuania again lost its independence.
During Soviet rule, the palace underwent further alterations; the garden was reduced, and some buildings nearby were demolished. On the first floor, interior walls were removed to make way for a movie theater. In 1989, the palace was transferred to the Vytautas the Great War Museum. After Lithuania regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the palace was designated a historical landmark. Soon afterward, three statues of the interwar presidents of Lithuania were erected in the palace garden: Antanas Smetona, Aleksandras Stulginskis, and Kazys Grinius. In 1997, restoration works began, but financial problems arose and the work took six years to complete. In 2003, marking the 85th anniversary of independence in 1918, the renovated palace was officially opened. The total cost of the works exceeded 5 million litas.[1]
[edit] Palace today
Today, the palace is used by the city and the state. There was a suggestion that the palace should became a branch of the Presidential Institution in Vilnius, but this suggestion has been rejected.[2] Since 2005, the building has been a part of the M. K. Čiurlionis Art museum.[3]
Currently, the palace features several exhibitions dedicated to former presidents Aleksandras Stulginkis and Kazys Grinius, and to the history of the palace.[3] A recent exposition featured unique historical items from the collection of ambassador Kazys Lozoraitis.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ XXI amžius. Trys prezidentai Kaune
- ^ ELTA. V.Adamkus nežada reziduoti Kauno Prezidentūroje
- ^ a b Istorinė Presidentūra Kaune. Exhibitions
- ^ Kauno diena.Lietuvos prezidentai - išsaugotose relikvijose
