Permanent exhibition "The Noble Radvila Family of Dubingiai and Biržai"

From 28 June 2012

 

Unknown painter of the second half of the 17th c. Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Mikalojus Radvila. The second half of the 17th c., oil on canvas

 

 

The Radvila family were one of the most famous noble families in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. They played an active role in the life of the ancient Lithuanian State from the beginning of the 15th century until the destruction of the State at the end of the 18th century. From 1547, two branches of the Radvila family, having received the title of Dukes of the Holy Roman Empire, began to style themselves Dukes of Dubingiai and Biržai in one instance and of Nesvyžius and Olyka in the other instance.

 

 

This exhibition is taking place in Vilnius, in a residence that was built in the middle of the 17th century for Duke Jonušas Radvila: a section of the Lithuanian Art Museum – the Radvila Palace Museum. This museum vividly presents the most important historical facts about the Radvila family as Dukes of Dubingiai and Biržai and it acquaints the visitor with the most valuable iconography and with projects to create a memorial to these famous grandees’ place of burial in Dubingiai.

 

This is the first time that there has been an exhibition in Lithuania of archaeological finds from digs in the summers of 2003–2011 at Dubingiai castle-hill, the estate and resting place of the Radvila family. This site is exceptional for its archaeological, historical, architectural and commemorative value and it offers new insights into the heritage of this ducal dynasty. The displays at the exhibition will reflect the political, civic, religious and cultural activities and patronage extended by the most renowned members of the Biržai and Dubingiai branches of the Radvila family at the peak of the family’s influence – in the 16th and 17th centuries. These displays of finds from digs at Dubingiai castle-hill and plans for a memorial to the famous members of the Radvila family that have been reburied in this resting place are evidence not only of the scale of the 21st century scientific investigations and their inherent value, but also of the significant efforts being made to create a memorial to the noble Radvila family at Dubingiai castle-hill.

 

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Radvila Palace Museum of Art,
24 Vilniaus st, LT-01402, Vilnius, Lithuania
+370 5 250 5824