Kaunas︱House of Perkūnas

House of Perkūnas

A group of merchants from countries such as Germany, Finland, Norway and Sweden formed the Hanseatic League in the mid-12th century to deal with issues such as pirates repression and unreasonable transit tax. When this economic circle gradually grew in size with more member cities, it started to expand its business strength overseas, and suppress business competitions from outside the league. A Gothic red-brick house was erected in Kaunas, a league town, as the league’s office in the 15th century.

The red-brick house was sold to the Jesuits to establish a chapel. It was later rebuilt, and served as a school and a theatre. Adam Mickiewicz, a national poet in Lithuania, was once a student there. The house was renamed to “House of Perkūnas” in the late 19th century when historians found a figure of the Baltic pagan god of thunder and the sky Perkūnas in one of its walls. It is now back in the hands of the Jesuits, who use it as a school of art, a gallery and a concert space. It also houses a museum of Adam Mickiewicz exhibiting his legendary life. After visiting the vibrant Town Hall Square, why not take a little walk to the House of Perkūnas nearby, and spend some quiet time with history and art.