The palace chambers reminding of the endless exotic journeys, the rarest varieties of plants and breeds of animals, the walls full of majestic hunting trophies walls and red silk pillows with golden fringes… All of these are secret details remnant in the Raudondvaris Manor and telling its history.

This Manor was built in the beginning of the 17th century in a wonderful location next to the confluence of the Nevėžis and Nemunas. For years, the noble family of Tiškevičiai took care of the construction, but the great changes in Raudondvaris Manor took place in 1831, when the wooden buildings of the Manor were burned down during the revolt. The earls residing there rebuilt the Manor and expanded it considerably. They built towers and a glass veranda which gave the wonderful landscape of Nevėžis, established an observation deck on the defensive tower, and one could enjoy the inimitable view to the park on the newly installed balcony over the central entrance.

Tiškevičiai accumulated memories in Raudondvaris Manor. The palace library alone stored over 20,000 books, including numerous maps and travel guides. These witnessed about travelling, a great passion of the family. The earls’ other fondness disclosed in the bright conservatory. Plants from outermost countries were thriving here. Interestingly, there was no other place in Lithuania to see a palm, a banana tree or an agava tree a hundred years ago! There were also parrots flying among the plants, and these were not the only animals living in the oasis. One could notice eyes of alligat

ors emerging behind the green leaves.

The exotic majesty of the palace was complemented by items from the Far East, Japan and Africa. These included luxurious fans, crockery and china items, statuettes of ivory and marble, as well as Japanese paintings on silk. Turkish carpets, Indian jewellery and miscellaneous musical instruments created the sense of cosiness. The walls of the palace were decorated with trophies hunted in the Russian steppes and deserts of Africa.

The scent of incenses, the flute melody spreading over the area of the manor, the lighting of cozy Chinese lanterns, tea drinking ceremonies: all these formed the spirit of Raudondvaris Manor several centuries ago. Are they still surrounding the Manor? We will never know, if we do not visit it!