House of Perkunas—officially House of Perkūnas—is a Gothic former merchant’s house at Aleksoto g. 6 in Kaunas Old Town. Its distinctive brick façade and layered history make it a notable stop for understanding Kaunas’s past, though you should check current visitor access before planning an interior visit.
- Location: Aleksoto g. 6, Kaunas.
- From the hotel: about a 2-minute walk from a hotel close to House of Perkūnas.
- What’s inside: the Adomas Mickevičius Memorial Museum, exhibitions, organized trips and traditional-craft workshops.
- Access: visiting hours, admission prices and public-visit arrangements are not established.
Why is House of Perkūnas notable?
House of Perkūnas is notable for its Gothic architecture and its long connection to Kaunas’s commercial and cultural history. Kaunas tourism describes it as one of Lithuania’s most original and impressive Gothic-style residential houses.
The building is thought to date from the late 15th century. Its original eastern façade features bricks made in as many as 16 different profiles, while the pediment has survived largely intact through reconstructions for the needs of different periods.
A statuette identified as the god Perkūnas was found in a wall in the 19th century, and the find is associated with the house’s name. The idea that the name reflects a tribute to pagan tradition is a supposition, not a confirmed explanation.
The former merchant’s house also served as a chapel and became one of Kaunas’s early theatres. The city’s first drama theatre was established there in 1843. The house is symbolically associated with Hanseatic merchants and is a popular place during Hanseatic celebrations.
What can you see at House of Perkūnas?
The house now forms part of the Kaunas Jesuit Gymnasium complex and houses the Adomas Mickevičius Memorial Museum. The exhibitions cover the life and work of Adomas Mickevičius, alongside other exhibitions; the venue also hosts organized trips and traditional-craft workshops.
On the exterior, look for the varied brick profiles of the original eastern façade and the surviving pediment. The building was restored in 1964–1968 and is used as one of the gymnasium’s premises, so the historic exterior is only one part of its story.
How do you check visitor access and opening information?
Visiting hours, admission prices, booking instructions and guided-tour times are not established. Public visits may be affected by school use, events or restoration, and year-round access is not confirmed.
Temporarily closed
This place is listed as temporarily closed. Check the official site before you go.
Last checked November 2026.
Before making plans to go inside, check the official site of Kaunas tourism for current access information. If a visit is not available, you can still see the building’s exterior from Aleksoto g. 6.
How do you get to House of Perkūnas on foot?
House of Perkūnas is at Aleksoto g. 6, in Kaunas Old Town.
For a broader route through the area, the Kaunas Old Town walking guide can help you place the landmark within a walk around the historic centre.
What can you combine with a visit in Old Town?
Kaunas Town Hall is about 140 metres north of House of Perkūnas, making it a nearby landmark to pair with a look at the house. The surrounding Old Town setting also gives context to the building’s role in the city’s history and its association with Hanseatic merchants.
Kaunas Castle is another Old Town landmark, and its history and visitor details fit naturally into a walk through the area; the Kaunas Castle visitor guide covers what to see there.
For a simple visit, begin with the exterior and its brickwork, then check whether the museum or an organized trip is available before planning to go inside. The house’s changing uses—as a merchant’s home, chapel, theatre and museum—make it a compact stop for exploring Kaunas history.
FAQs
Where is House of Perkūnas?
It is at Aleksoto g. 6 in Kaunas Old Town.
Can you visit the Adomas Mickevičius Memorial Museum?
The museum is housed in the building, which hosts exhibitions and organized trips. Check the official Kaunas tourism site for current public access arrangements before you go.
Why is it called House of Perkūnas?
A statuette identified as Perkūnas was found in a wall in the 19th century and is associated with the name. A proposed link to a pagan-tradition tribute remains unconfirmed.
What is distinctive about the building?
Its original eastern façade uses bricks of up to 16 different profiles, and its largely intact pediment is another notable architectural feature.