Established thanks to efforts of Lithuanians living abroad in 1970, the Lithuanian Chapel is among ten chapels at the St Peter's Basilica. Images of King Mindaugas, Grand Dukes Vytautas and Jogaila are displayed on the eastern wall of the chapel, and the western wall tells the painful story of deportations.
During the visit to Rome, the Lithuanian president also visited a palace in central Rome – Palazzo Blumenstihl – given to Lithuania as a compensation for Villa Lituania, an embassy building taken over by the Soviet Union during WWII.
Last month, the Lithuanian and Italian ministers of foreign affairs an compensation agreement.
Under the agreement, the Lithuanian Embassy will soon move to Palazzo Blumenstihl. The premises will be given for free as a compensation for the Lithuanian Embassy building Villa Lituania which has been used by Russian diplomats since the Soviet occupation.
Under the contract, Lithuania will have all nearly 700 square meters on the 4th floor of the palace designed by prominent Italian architect Luca Carimini in late 1800s. Estimated at almost 9 million euros, the facilities will be provided to Lithuania free of charge for 99 years, with the possibility to extend the period in 2112.
