The street formed in the place of the main road towards Vilnius Castle from Poland and Russia. Kings, legates of the Pope, and envoys from other countries passed this street on their way to the castle.
Initially, the street had a commercial purpose, so since its inception, the street has been full of shops and a market. The Pilis Street neighbourhood has always been one of the most prestigious districts of the capital. The aristocracy, rich citizens, and professors of VU lived here.
The nobles Goštauts, Lopacinskis, Oginskis, Rudaminas, Tiškevičias also had their palaces here. There were the palaces that belonged to Mykolas Glinskis, Vitebsk squire Mykolas Kazimiers, Duke Konstantinos Ostrogiškis, Duchess Marija Puzynina.
Several buildings and the famous Cardinalia Palace were controlled by the Radvilas. Many members of the city's ruling aristocracy lived on Pilis Street: Vilnius governor Nikodemas Pšemeneckis, burgomasters Jokūbas Gibelis, Antanas Liachovičius, Aleksandras Romanovičius, father Arnulf and his son, and other respectable citizens resided here.
A lot of newcomers from France, Italy, Scotland and Germany settled up on Pilis Street. Several pharmacists who had their pharmacies lived here too. A few hoses belonged to the monasteries: Dominicans, Czestochowa Poulaines, the Jesuits, the Rokites, St. Bernardine Monastery and Saint Anne’s Brotherhood.
The entire 24th Pilis Street neighbourhood is still occupied by the palace ensemble of the old Vilnius University founded by the Jesuits.
There were at least 50 taverns in Vilnius. People exchanged news, made business deals and, of course, had some fistfights here. The tavern was usually established in one room with a fireplace and a few tables with benches, all served by one “šinkorka” (alewife). They took care of food and drink supplies. Beer was the commodity of the first necessity, and most alewives knew how to brew it. They brewed vodka and made mead and simple meat dishes. in taverns.
Although Vilnius burned several times, Pilis Street preserved the traces of ancient architecture with small courtyards, vaults, arcades, original stairs and cellars. The street suffered the most during World War II, but most of the buildings were repaired.
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