House of Perkūnas is one of the most original and spectacular Gothic buildings in Lithuania. Built at the end of the XV century by Hanseatic merchants, this brick building with an ornate pediment and spacious cellars is located in Kaunas Old Town, near the Vytautas Church.
The real purpose of the building is unknown. There is a legend about a sculpture of the deity Perkūnas found in a wall of the building, about priestesses who took care of the eternal fire; however, the extensive collection of artifacts found by the researchers suggests that this was a commercial office that belonged to the Hanseatic Merchants. According to historians, on the contrary, the house was built by a wealthy local merchant to show his prosperity. This theory has a historical background. The very first document about existence of the house mentions the first known owner of the house, i.e. a Lithuanian merchant Steponas Dulke who sold the house to a merchant Bernard Bitner at open Benchers court in 1546.
The house had quite many owners, purposes, and transformations. Nowadays, you can visit the memorial room of a famous Polish-Lithuanian-Byelorussian poet Adam Mickiewicz, who worked as a teacher in the school next to this house in 1819 – 1924. The artistic guided
tours and various craft workshops will keep your attention to the very end of this medieval adventure, which will be most definitely remembered long after you step out of the beautiful House of Thunder. Currently, the House of Perkūnas belongs to Kaunas Jesuit Gymnasium.
Services provided:
• Tour. Those who want to learn more about the history and culture of the Hansaetic times are welcome to a tour around the House of Perkūnas and the terrace of the Jesuit monastery. Price upon request.
• Educational programs. Demonstrating crafts, such as sewing, tablet weaving, candle making and historical dance. Also such traditional Lithuanian crafts as making of sodai and traditional beaded wristbands. Educational sessions are intended for students and adult groups. Price upon request.
• Rent of premises. Not only can you have a tour here – you can also celebrate your anniversaries, children’s birthdays, company staff parties in a solemn atmosphere.
Opening hours: During summer time museum opens only if booked in advance.
I, III, IV – 12:00-18:00
II – 10:00-15:00
Entrance fee:
For adults: 5 Eur
For students: 3 Eur
Aleksoto str. 6, Kaunas
+370 641 44614
info@perkunonamas.lt
www.perkunonamas.lt