Today, one of the most famous Lithuanian architectural researchers, historian, specialist in the restoration and restoration of architectural heritage objects, preservationist, laureate of the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Prize, Dr. Kazys Napaleonas Kitkauskas, who left a bright mark in the history of exploration and restoration of Vilnius castles and the Palace of the Lords. The Palace Museum congratulates one of the most famous and competent Lithuanian architect restorers and plans to celebrate this anniversary in more detail after the quarantine - for this purpose, it is preparing a special since 90. would write a blog post.
"The story of the restoration of the House of Lords is alive because it is closely related to the people. And one such special personality, without whom we would not be able to tell our story and would know much less about our heritage, is the Knight of Vilnius Castles and chronicler dr. KN Kitkauskas. His work, energy and perseverance, strong and unwavering convictions, competence, scientific insight and experience laid a very solid foundation for the research of the House of Lords, the idea of restoration and its implementation. We are proud that we had and still have the opportunity to work, communicate, consult or simply consult with this outstanding person and we wish Dr. May KN Kitkauskas have many more healthy years", says the director of the Museum of the Sovereign Palace, historian dr. Vydas Dolinskas. At the same time, he emphasizes that this honorable anniversary will not be celebrated in one day - after the end of the quarantine, the museum plans to celebrate it much more seriously, by publishing an anniversary diary written for almost half a decade about research, discoveries, victories and everyday life.
According to archaeologist Gintautas Striškas, head of the Scientific Research Department of the Palace of Lords Museum, who oversees this publishing project, it is not only a valuable gift for the author of the diaries himself - the jubilee, but also for everyone interested in the history, culture, and heritage of such important objects as the Vilnius Cathedral or the Palace of Lords. "At first, we planned to publish only those excerpts from the diaries that are directly related to the research and restoration of the Palace of the Lords, but we realized that Dr. The picture of KN Kitkauskas' works and research does not fit into any framework - in order to understand it, to reveal the full context, all the diaries need to be published. Then we faced another challenge - it took a lot of time to collect these diaries written almost all our lives into one publication, which will be illustrated with many authentic photos, documents, writings and other interesting things", says G. Striška, adding that the publication is being prepared in cooperation with the author press, it is planned to be released later this year.
During more than four decades of active scientific activity, dr. KN Kitkauskas published more than 300 scientific and informative publications. His research is highly valued and known not only in Lithuania, but also in Poland, in Latvia, in Belarus, Germany, Russia, other countries. He worked as an architect restorer at the Vilnius Scientific Restoration Workshop (1960−1969), the Institute of Monument Restoration (1969−1992), and the Castles Research Center "Lietuvos pilys" (since 1993). Professional and scientific activities of dr. KN Kitkauskas was primarily associated with the studies of the Vilnius Cathedral and other cultural heritage objects of the Lower Castle of Vilnius. Since 1968 for almost two decades, he led the architectural research of the Vilnius Cathedral, prepared its repair and maintenance projects, and together with his cultural colleagues found and helped preserve its treasure - one of the most valuable art collections in Lithuania. Also Dr. KN Kitkauskas participated in the preparation of the restoration project of the Palace of Lords and since 1987 led the architectural research of the authentic one preserved in the Palace of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes of Vilnius Lower Castle, prepared scientifically based and detailed retrospective drawings of the restoration of this residence. Dr. KN Kitkauskas and the group of architects led by him together with other specialists who researched the territory of the Palace of Lords and the history of this residence accumulated an invaluable collection of finds of national significance and complex information, which in the future will allow rewriting or significantly correcting the concept and chronology of the development of Lithuanian culture, architecture and art.
And this Dr. KN Kitkauskas did it sincerely believing in the idea and meaning of restoring the Palace of Lords. "I was at the forefront of supporters of the idea of restoring the House of Lords, sincerely believing in it, nurturing it for many years. Of course, some people don't like it - in 1999 he wrote in his diaries in February. - The attitude of neutral people, historians, and otherwise patriotic people remains - they are on my side. The restoration of the House of Lords is a manifestation of national self-respect, it is the patriotic duty of our reborn Lithuania. These words are not just a declaration."
Dr. KN Kitkauskas is also the author of research, restoration, regeneration or reconstruction of many other Lithuanian cultural heritage objects of national significance. He took part in the restoration of the New Arsenal Palace of Vilnius Lower Castle, contributed to Vilnius University construction of library book storage St. on Jono street, is the author of the reconstruction project of the Biržai castle bridge, the Bijotai mill, he managed the maintenance works of the Kristijonas Donelaitis memorial in Tolminkiemi and Lazdynėliai (Karaliaučius region, Russia), and carried out other projects.
in 2018 President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the state, for his services to Lithuania and promoting the name of our country in the world, Dr. KN Kitkauskas was awarded the Commander's Grand Cross of the Order "For Services to Lithuania". In this way, he was evaluated for his long-term and effective scientific, museum, heritage protection and public activities under the leadership of the Kristijonas Donelaitis Society, the representative office of the National Fund in Lithuania and the restoration project of the palace of the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as well as for the significant research of the Vilnius Cathedral and the discovery of the treasure.
The long-term researcher of the House of Lords and the head of the restoration scientific project, dr. KN Kitkauska's significant contribution to the research of Lithuanian history and architecture, the preservation of important heritage objects, active and diverse cultural activities, presenting the knowledge of Lithuanian material culture heritage research to the public is also illustrated by previous awards. He is a knight of the III and IV degrees of the Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania, and for his outstanding merits in nurturing the culture and historical heritage of the capital of Lithuania, he was also awarded the Žygimantas August medal. Dr. KN Kitkauskas is also an honorary member of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Council of the National Museum.
