Verkiai – one of the oldest of manors in Lithuania. Until the end of XIV century Verkiai area was ruled by the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. The area belonged to the first ring of the Vilnius defense system that surrounded the city.

In 1387, after the christening of Lithuania, the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Jogaila donated the area to the bishops of Vilnius. The surroundings of Verkiai were very beautiful, so the bishops loved to spend their summers here. Eventually, Verkiai became a permanent residence of bishops from Vilnius.

On 1840–1881 Verkiai were acquired by the Wittgenstein dukes. During the governance of Ludwig Adolf Wittgenstein, the area became one of the most prominent cultural centers in Vilnius. The whole Vilnius aristocracy of that time gathered in concerts and theatrical performances organized in the manor. The Wittgenstein dukes had accumulated a large collection of art valuables. During the governance of duke Peter Wittgenstein (1874-1887), Verkiai thrived. In order to live in an ornate and luxurious way, P. Wittgenstein brought in artists and architects from abroad, who rebuilt the left building (built the tower and winter garden), arranged the park and flower gardens, and so on. The palace was decorated with various luxury items brought from Rome and Paris, museum rarities collected by the Radvilai familly (weapons, paintings, stuffed animals, armors). Up to this day, the initials P. W. has remained in the wood carvings in the interiors of the left side of palace, testifying that the decoration of the palace has been done in the time of P. Wittgenstein.