Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports (17 images)

The Palace of Concerts and Sports, built in 1971 in the southernmost part of Zirminai, in the middle of the former cemetery, is an example of Soviet Constructivism and Brutalist architecture, remarkable for its vessel-like exterior. The Palace, once one of the architectural icons of Soviet Vilnius, was, until the 1990s, a major venue for sporting events, especially local and international basketball matches, as well as concerts and shows. Its seating capacity is about 4400. On October 22/23...
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The Palace of Concerts and Sports, built in 1971 in the southernmost part of Zirminai, in the middle of the former cemetery, is an example of Soviet Constructivism and Brutalist architecture, remarkable for its vessel-like exterior. The Palace, once one of the architectural icons of Soviet Vilnius, was, until the 1990s, a major venue for sporting events, especially local and international basketball matches, as well as concerts and shows. Its seating capacity is about 4400. On October 22/23 in 1988, the building hosted the statutory meeting of the Lithuanian political organization that led the struggle for Lithuanian independence. On January 14/15 in 1991, a public funeral for the victims of the January Events took place at the Palace. Later in the 1990s, the building was used as a shopping mall where space was leased to small entrepreneurs for business exhibitions and fairs. The projects have been stalled due to the inclusion of the Palace into the 2006 'Registry of Cultura' list.
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