A Theatrical History: The Pilininkas Court

Did you know that for nearly two hundred years, the Tower Keeper’s House was home to the Pilininkas Court?

City dwellers brought lawsuits over slander, property disputes, and even accusations of witchcraft! Court officials included deputy judges (papilininkiai), bailiffs (vaitai), lawyers, court messengers (vazniai), and clerks. The oldest surviving court records date back to 1619, when Petras Nonhartas assumed the role of Pilininkas.

To mark its first anniversary, the staff of the Tower Keeper’s House, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birutė Vitkauskienė, have created a theatrical reenactment of a historical court proceeding.

Due to your great interest, the Pilininkas Court performance will be staged again on May 29 at 6:00 PM. The play will bring to life the officials of the Pilininkas Court and some of the most colorful characters from the town’s past.

• Where? – Tower Keeper’s House (Arsenalo St. 1, Vilnius)
• When? – May 29, 6:00 PM
• How much? – €8 for adults, €5 for concessions
• Anything else? – Tickets are available online: https://bilietai-pn.lnm.lt/lit/events/213. To purchase a ticket at the Tower Keeper’s House ticket office, advance registration is required via email at pilininkas@lnm.lt or by phone at +370 631 55256.