Vilnius’ Lukiskes Square closed off for reconstruction

Lukiskes Square in the centre of Vilnius is being closed off for reconstruction with plans to re-open it to the public by the summer of 2017. Mindaugas Pakalnis, the chief municipal architect, says that workers have begun to fence the square off this week. Archaeological excavations will then be carried out and power cables and other underground cables will be laid down.

“If the archeological excavations reveal nothing significant, which is what we expect because we have preliminary research, we will be able to start work on the surface in a month or two,” he said.
The reconstruction project will be carried out in stages and is planned to be completed within a year. The square will remain closed off throughout the reconstruction period.
The first stage will involve the creation of a ceremonial space for parades and honour guards and smaller public spaces for people of various ages.

Discussion is also underway about putting up a statue of the Lithuanian national symbol the Vytis, a knight on horseback, but no final decision has been taken yet.
The state has allocated a total of 2 million euros, including 1.5 million euros this year and .5 million euros next year, for the Lukiskes Square reconstruction, which is on a list of projects to mark 100 years since the re-establishment of an independent Lithuanian state in 1918.