Although only finally converted into Lithuania's presidential seat in 1997, a palace has existed on this spot since the fourteenth century. For two hundred and fifty years it served as a residence of the Archbishops of Vilnius before the partitions of Poland-Lithuania turned things topsy turvy. Russian governors then took over - including the infamous 'Hangman' Muravyev - although Napoleon briefly sent them packing in 1812. Other than Bonaparte, the palace has hosted many great (or ghastly, depending on your loyalties) names from history. Polish-Lithuanian King Stanislas Poniatowski, Tsar Alexander I, Louis VIII of France and Marshal Jozef Pilsudski have all stayed here. However, not all visitors have doffed their hats, and the area has proved something of a trap for drunken revellers.
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