In close vicinity to the Gates of Dawn, where the Lithuanian National Philharmonic is currently located, the first houses with hospitality facilities such as a hotel, market and tavern were built.
In the 16th century Lithuanian merchants were forbidden by the law to trade with merchants from other countries, thus protecting the privileges of Vilnius merchants.
Two-storey Gothic houses with large courtyards were built to let trade flourish. Vilnius had close ties with Moscow, Tallinn, Antwerp and even Istanbul. After the merchants arrived, they had to present themselves to the ruler, pay taxes and settle in the Merchants' house. Around 50 merchants from Greece, Poland, and Turkey, and mostly Muscovites, stayed there at once. Trade took place both inside the building and in the courtyards.
There were storerooms in the basements and the living rooms on the second floor. In the evening, everyone relaxed in the tavern. The Merchants’ house was closed after the fall of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. After that, there was a vinegar factory, a hotel, shops, a police station, a prison, etc. In the 20th century, the building was rebuilt, and the Lithuanian Concert Hall started up.
It’s interesting to note that in the 17th century more than 700 different shops operated in Vilnius: 400 of them, called “kroms”, sold foodstuff.
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