Historical Presidency Of The Republic Of Lithuania. Royalty-Free Stock Photo

In 1918–1940 Lithuania was transformed from a province of the Russian Empire into equivalent European country. Kaunas, the former administrative centre of the province, became the temporary state capital. The former governor’s residence became the Presidential Palace. The owners of Neo-Baroque building, the construction of which was started in the middle of the 19th century in the territory of vegetable gardens of Jacobins’ monastery changed several times; however, the building has never lost its importance and exceptional role. All three presidents of the first Republic of Lithuania resided in this building: Antanas Smetona, Aleksandras Stulginskis and Kazys Grinius.