On the grounds of the Verkiai Palace, one of Lithuania’s foremost architectural and cultural landmarks, stands a fountain that throughout the 19th century served as the compositional center of the palace’s ceremonial square.
It was created during the reconstruction of the palace and park, when the estate belonged to Prince Ludwig Wittgenstein — a period when the square in front of the palace was redesigned, new infrastructure elements were built, and a fountain was installed at its center. In the context of Lithuania’s landscape art history, the fountain is considered one of the earliest examples of its kind in the country.
In a time when change happens rapidly, the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage take on new significance. A fountain is not merely a decorative element: it is a symbol of the interaction between people, art, and nature — a witness to changing eras and a bearer of local memory. Restoring such an object makes it possible to return the original integrity to the architectural and landscape composition and to integrate heritage into the life of the city as a part of public space.
The Z.O.D.D.I.A.K. Foundation selects projects that combine culture, history, innovation, and social responsibility. The restoration of the fountain in Verkiai is one of the important directions of our work. We aim to return the fountain to its original beauty. Our goal is to create an open, vibrant space where residents and visitors can feel the history and see how cultural heritage comes back to life.
