On October 11, from 12 noon to 6 p.m., visitors to the heart of Vilnius’ Old Town will be treated to a special experience – Medieval Day at the bastion of Vilnius’ defensive wall (Bokšto g. 20, Vilnius). This is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year at this branch of the Lithuanian National Museum (LNM). Surrounded by the walls of the bastion and the panorama of the Old Town, medieval entertainment for the whole family will come to life – historical battles, performances by jesters, games, crafts, food, and fun educational activities.

The biggest celebration of Bastion Month

This year, the Lithuanian National Museum is celebrating its 170th anniversary and invites you to get to know one of its twelve branches better each month. In October, the LNM is dedicating itself to the bastion of the Vilnius defensive wall – an impressive early 17th-century defensive structure that now houses a museum presenting the history of Lithuanian defense, the past of Vilnius, the legend of the basilisk that lived in the walls of the Bastion, and other historical curiosities.

October 11 will be crowned by Medieval Day in Bastėja, organized by medieval feast experts Kunigaikščio svita and the Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall of the National Museum of Lithuania. According to Bastion Director Asta Daunoravičienė, the event is becoming more and more anticipated by visitors every year: “This celebration is being held at the Bastion for the fourth time, and it’s great to see how this beautiful new city tradition is growing. Every year we welcome more and more guests, including families with children, history enthusiasts, and couples on dates. It is gratifying that everyone, regardless of age, can experience medieval entertainment and learn more about life in medieval Vilnius while having fun.”

Medieval Vilnius will come back to life

During the festival, Bastėja will become a living history stage. Visitors will be able to watch soldiers fight and compete in tournaments, learn about the secrets of weaponry up close, and try on reproductions of armor. Inspired by the performances of professional fighters, young soldiers will be able to participate in tournaments organized especially for them. The festive mood will be enhanced by performances by jesters and juggling lessons. Visitors will be able to play various games that have come down to us from the Middle Ages.

During the festival, there will be engaging craft workshops that will allow you to get to know medieval Vilnius and try your hand at the crafts of old. During the workshops, you will learn how ceramic dishes were made, what tools were used at the table, and how trade flourished in old Vilnius. Medieval chefs will invite you to take a peek at what soldiers ate on their marches, what townspeople ate every day, and what delicacies the nobles adorned their tables with.

Medieval Days in Bastion Program

• 12:00 a.m. Opening of the event and historical battles.
• 12:30 a.m. Crafts: historical medieval kitchen ceramics.
• 1:00 p.m. Crafts: finds and reconstructions of wooden tableware and dishes.
• 1:30 p.m.  Battles: ancient warrior tournament.
• 2:00 p.m. Medieval cuisine: “What food did warriors prepare when going into battle?”
• 2:00 p.m. For children: combat tournament.
• 2:30 p.m. Medieval jesters’ performance.
• 3:00 p.m. Medieval cuisine: “Townspeople’s cuisine, or how did Vilnius residents eat in the Middle Ages?”
• 3:00 p.m. Education by jugglers.
• 3:30 p.m. Historical European martial arts (HEMA): sword handling.
• 4:00 p.m. Medieval cuisine: “The nobleman’s table, or how did the elite demonstrate their luxury in the Middle Ages?”
• 4:00 p.m. For children: combat tournament.
• 4:30 p.m. Crafts: Lithuanian money and trade routes in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
• 5:00 p.m. Crafts: historical culinary utensils in the Palace of the Grand Dukes.
• 5:30 p.m. Closing of the festival: performance by ancient warriors.

Information for visitors

The price of a ticket for adults is €6, and a reduced ticket is €3. The number of places is limited, so it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance on the website bilietai-vgs.lnm.lt. On the day of the event, tickets will also be sold at the ticket office of the Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall of the National Museum of Lithuania. With a festival ticket, visitors will also be able to visit the Bastion exhibition. If you have any questions about your visit, please contact the LNM Vilnius Defensive Wall Bastion by email at [email protected] or by phone at +370 526 12149.

The event is organized by the LNM Vilnius Defensive Wall Bastion and the medieval banquet and food experts Kunigaikščio svita. Partners: the European historical martial arts club ALBER AUS VU, the medieval combat and historical reenactment club Hospitalierių Ordinas, the experimental archaeology club Pajauta, the historical ceramics specialists VšĮ Puodžių cechas, medieval jesters “Street Theatre Vir,” living history club “Varingis,” historical martial arts club “ŽVĖRIS.”

Photo by Silvestras Samsonas, LNM