Over the past thirty years, numerous cultural heritage sites have been preserved, restored, or renewed with private funds. Notable projects include the restoration of St. Michael’s Church, the Cathedral Belfry, and St. John’s Church Belfry, all adapted for museum and tourism purposes. The Pacai Palace was also restored and transformed into a hotel, while the Pociejus (Vainiai) Palace was restored and adapted for commercial use.
In 2008–2009, St. Michael’s Church was restored and adapted as a Church Heritage Museum, which showcases sacred artefacts and ecclesiastical heritage to the public.
Between 2012 and 2014, with European Union structural funds, the project “Renovation and Adaptation of the Cathedral Belfry for Modern Cultural Tourism Needs” was implemented. The installation of the exhibition was supported by the Archdiocese of Vilnius, the Archdiocese of Cologne, the Ministry of Culture, and the company “Baltisches Haus”.
From 2014 to 2018, the Pacai Palace (Didžioji Street 7) was restored, preserving and displaying elements from various historical periods and styles. Numerous wall paintings were also restored and recreated.
Between 2019 and 2021, the Pociejus (Vainiai) Palace underwent restoration. Authentic masonry, finishing, and decorative fragments were preserved, and missing details were recreated based on their shape, texture, and colour. The palace courtyard is now open to the public, and the complex is known as the Senators’ Passage.
The restoration of the Old Town, combining private initiatives with state support, is an excellent example of effective collaboration. These projects not only restore historical values but also contribute to the cultural and aesthetic preservation of the city, strengthening the local identity.
“Built by previous generations and marked by time, tangible cultural heritage remains significant to us today for its ethnic, historical, aesthetic, scientific, and social values. Preserving historical urban and architectural relics—spatial landmarks containing powerful informational codes—allows us to understand and sense the passage of time. To safeguard heritage for future generations, it is crucial to comprehend the construction traditions, craftsmanship, technologies, and materials of past eras so that restoration efforts do not harm the object or its valuable properties.”
Restored facade of the Pociejus (Vainiai) Palace