Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square

History

Discover the Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, which was once the home of the Central Telegraph of Vilnius during the mid-20th century.

Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square was constructed during the historic reign of the United Kingdom’s famed Queen Victoria, who sat on the British throne from 1837 to 1901. Although it was originally created as a hotel in 1900, the building has fulfilled a variety of different functions over the years. The location actually spent many years as the Central Telegraph of Vilnius during the mid-20th century, before it was carefully renovated back into a prestigious hotel. Its owners took painstaking efforts to preserve its iconic Neoclassical façade, as well as its rich Baroque Revival cupolas that lined its roof and balconies.

Kempinksi Hotel Cathedral Square is also proud to share with its guests a unique historical treasure – the fragments of the Vilnius Defense Wall. At the beginning of the 16th century, Grand Duke Alexander of Lithuania ordered the construction of a grand series of fortifications that would protect Vilnius from the Tartars. The city was subsequently surrounded by an imposing ring of stone and brick walls that guarded the city for the better part of three centuries. Most of the walls are unfortunately gone today. Yet, a segment of the ancient fortification emerged during the most recent renovation of the Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square. The architects were stunned to find a portion of the wall on the grounds of this leading European hotel. Guests may view this fragment today near the entrance of the hotel’s restaurant.

a building with lights on the side of it

Hotel Timeline

Grand Duke Alexander of Lithuania ordered fortifications around Vilnius to defend the city from Tatar raids; fragments of this wall were later discovered during the hotel’s renovation.

The building was originally created as a hotel in 1900, with a prominent Neoclassical façade and Baroque Revival cupolas.

The property later served as the Central Telegraph of Vilnius, a role remembered today in the hotel’s restaurant name, Telegrafas.

The building was carefully restored back into a luxury hotel, with preservation of its Neoclassical façade, balconies, and roofline cupolas. During restoration, workers uncovered fragments of the 16th-century Vilnius Defense Wall; the preserved section is now visible near the entrance to Restaurant Telegrafas.

The restored hotel reopened with 96 rooms and suites, blending historic architectural details with contemporary luxury design. Kempinski opened the hotel as its first property in Lithuania and the Baltic States, in Vilnius Old Town beside Cathedral Square and the Presidential Palace.

Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide. Historic Hotels Worldwide is a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including more than 300 legendary historic hotels including many former castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries.

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The Location

The Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square’s classical elegance incorporates European heritage with modern features. It is the true embodiment of the kind of hospitality one will find in Lithuania. Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square is located right in the heart of the UNESCO-recognized Vilnius Old Town. The hotel is a stones throw from the Presidential Palace and Cathedral Square. Numerous governmental institutions, significant historical landmarks, and major shopping avenues all are within walking distance.