Efforts to revive the historic Zubov Palace in the centre of Šiauliai, Lithuania’s fourth biggest town in the north of the country, have stalled, as town officials and Vilnius University remain at odds over who should manage the landmark.
The palace, considered the town’s second most important historical site after the cathedral, was built roughly 260 years ago and is closely tied to the origins of Šiauliai local government.
Its upper structure was reconstructed in the early 19th century, while the basements are thought to date from the original 18th-century construction, according to Raimundas Balza, director of the Šiauliai Aušros Museum.
The building has stood empty for nearly a decade after the university’s arts faculty closed. Vilnius University retains ownership but does not use the palace for academic or cultural purposes. City officials have repeatedly sought to have the property transferred to the Šiauliai municipality, which they say would allow the palace to be revitalised.
“Four years have passed since the desire to take over these palaces. How long can we endure this? I raised the issue again and prepared a draft decision to give new momentum and authority to the mayor,” said city council member Zakiras Medžidovas.
Mayor Artūras Visockas confirmed that previous attempts to negotiate the transfer with Vilnius University failed. The city has no plans to purchase the building, asserting that the university should hand it over as it is state property managed by the university for use, not ownership.
“This object is on the list of non-privatisable properties. It is purely speculation when people ask why you don’t buy it or why they won’t sell. There is no question of sale here,” Visockas said. “I’d advice that Vilnius University transfer this to Šiauliai municipality by a government decision, so that state property could be used more efficiently.”
Vilnius University, however, has no plans to transfer the historic palace at this time. Chancellor Raimundas Balčiūnaitis said the university is exploring various ways to utilise the building, preparing for renovations and having already developed a facade restoration plan approved by the Cultural Heritage Department.
The palace has long symbolic significance. In 1921, Count Vladimiras Zubovas donated the building to Šiauliai to serve cultural purposes, but when that vision will be realised remains uncertain.
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