The 17th-century Kirdiej Palace in Vilnius is to be converted into a municipal museum. The project to adapt the historic building for this entirely new purpose was developed by 2XJ Architects in collaboration with Senamiesčio projektai. The project concerns one of Vilnius’s most valuable historic sites, and the first visitors are expected to cross its threshold in 2028. The project is funded from the city budget and is expected to cost around €7 million.
The Kirdiej Palace in Vilnius is coming back to life
The complex on Barboros Radvilaitės Street was built in the early 17th century as a winter residence for the Lithuanian nobility. In later years, the estate became part of the Vilnius University Botanical Garden and gradually lost its significance, eventually falling into disrepair and ruin. In 2005, the palace, the outbuilding and the former coach house were placed on the list of state-protected buildings. The construction work that had begun at that time was halted after the permit was revoked. As a result, the buildings have stood in this unfinished state for many years.
A family from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The name of the palace refers to the Kirdiej family, one of the most important boyar families of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Its origins date back to the 14th century, whilst the boyar Kirdiej is regarded as its progenitor, from whose name the family’s surname is derived. The Kirdiejs held high state and military offices, and their estates stretched across the territories of present-day Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. Interestingly, it was from this family that the later well-known princely families of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth originated, including the Sanguszkos, Wiśniowieccy and Czetwertyńskis. Although the present palace was not built until the early 17th century, the name of the residence serves as a reminder of the family’s influence and significance.
2XJ Architects focused on history
The new design for the historic complex, named “Layers”, was developed by the Vilnius-based practice 2XJ Architects, selected through a competition. The architects proposed maximum respect for the authentic fabric of the monument, without major interventions or facelifts. The main idea was to treat the entire complex of buildings as a museum exhibit. 2XJ Architects aim to reveal successive layers of history using the most modest means possible.
Arcades, courtyard and a new opening
During the works, the bricked-up arcade openings on the palace’s northern and western façades will be restored. The dilapidated brick fence will also be removed and replaced with an openwork metal fence. This will provide an unobstructed view of the inner courtyard. The courtyard itself will become a venue for exhibiting larger objects related to the history of Vilnius and will flourish with historical plant species, known from the 19th-century botanical garden of Vilnius University. During the warmer months, outdoor events and cultural gatherings will take place there.
The Kirdiej Palace is to become the Vilnius Museum
The main part of the exhibition will be located in the main building. The ground floor will house a visitor centre, a reading room, a bookshop and an educational space. The first floor is earmarked for a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the city, whilst the attic will be used for temporary exhibitions. A café is to operate in the former outbuilding, whilst the historic coach house will house conference rooms, collection storage areas and the museum’s administrative facilities. The new headquarters at the Kirdiej Palace will serve as the central branch of the Vilnius Museum, which currently operates from several scattered locations.
Opening in 2028
According to the municipal company Vilniaus vystymas, construction work is due to be completed in the first half of 2028. Exhibitions will then be prepared over the following few months. The city hopes that the first visitors will visit the new facility in the third quarter of the same year. The cost of the entire project could reach €7 million, though the final figure will be known once the tenders have been awarded.
Design: 2XJ Architects
Photos: Norbert Tukaj
Visualisations: 2XJ Architects
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