Over centuries, the Presidential Palace has been changing its purpose many times. In the 16th century, it served as Vilnius bishops' residence. In the 18th century, when Lithuania was occupied and annexed to the Russian Empire, the was turned into a residence for the Governor-General of Vilnius.
The first palace was built at the end of the 14th century. By the Bishop of Vilnius, A. Vasila, it was called a Bishop's Palace. The palace endured fires and was destroyed during wars and turmoil. Russian Tsar Paul I of Russia, Michail Muravjov, and Mikhail Kutuzov resided here. The palace had been visited by Stanislaw August Poniatowski, Russian Tsar Alexander I, French King Louis XVIII, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and Polish Marshall and statesman Jozef Pilsudski visited the palace. The palace was the official residence of the Governor-General of Vilnius.
In 1997 the building was renovated, presently the President of Lithuania and his Chancellery reside in the Palace
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