Ottoman Empire: From Foe to Ally | Tour of the Exhibition at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

One of the greatest treasures of Wawel Royal Castle has arrived at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania – the legendary 17th-century tent of the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. It stood near Vienna when the Grand Vizier had ambitious but unsuccessful plans to capture it, so after a crushing defeat, the tent fell to John Sobieski as war booty. Such large surviving works of Ottoman textile heritage, dazzling with colors and symbols, are very rare. This unique piece of extraordinary beauty has left Wawel for the first time so that we might have the opportunity to better understand the more than five-century-long history of relations between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Kingdom of Poland, and the Ottoman Empire – from wars to diplomacy, trade, and unexpected alliances. The exhibition showcases over 60 authentic treasures from the collections of Wawel Royal Castle and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, inviting visitors to view the Ottoman Empire not only as an adversary but also as an important political partner. During the tour, we will discuss not only wars and diplomacy but also the everyday legacy of the Ottoman Empire in Europe: the spread of coffee culture, the origin of furniture names like "sofa" or "divan," the journey of tulips and lilacs to Europe, and other unexpected cultural connections. An additional exhibit also awaits you: the Queens' Diptych of Elizabeth and Barbara. Tour duration ~ 1.5 hours. We meet at the ticket offices. Tour tickets can be purchased here. A separate ticket to the museum itself (Route II) must be purchased. Therefore, we recommend arriving earlier, as there may be a queue at the ticket offices. Please do not be late and have a copy of your ticket saved on your phone. If you are late, you can join the tour, but you will need to find the guide independently, as guides do not answer calls during working hours.

Adresas: Valdovų rūmai