Debate over Grand Duke Vytautas's burial site continues after early setback in Vilnius Cathedral
Lithuanian restorer Saulius Poderis disputes researchers' finding that an underground cavity in Vilnius Cathedral holds no human remains. Researchers say it contains only stones and will move on to other cavities.
A Lithuanian restorer, Saulius Poderis, has challenged the conclusion by researchers that an underground cavity near the Chapel of St Casimir in Vilnius Cathedral contains no human remains. He argues the inspection was incomplete and that further investigation is needed. Poderis has put forward a theory about where the remains of Grand Duke Vytautas, one of Lithuania's most prominent medieval rulers (1401–1430), might lie. Lithuania hopes to find them before the 600th anniversary of his death in 2030, and the government has voiced support for the search.
Researchers' findings
Last week researchers examined one of the suspected locations in the cathedral's underground vaults. This week Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius visited the site and urged a calmer approach to the long, careful work. Rytis Jonaitis of the Lithuanian Institute of History said the cavity holds nothing but stones, and that it was drilled only to test Poderis's theory and to insert a 3D camera and probe. Institute archaeologist Saulius Sarcevičius said 19 cavities remain beneath the cathedral, with their contents unknown.
Jonaitis suggested the stones may be masonry that Polish builders dismantled while constructing the Chapel of St Casimir in the mausoleum, and placed into an empty niche. Researchers also noted groundwater in the cavity, which they said would make it an unsuitable and disrespectful burial place for a ruler. Architect Robertas Zilinskas added that removing the stones would be technically very difficult, as there is at most a hand's breadth of space.
Poderis's objections
Poderis says the stones should be removed and the soil excavated before anyone concludes the cavity is empty. In his view, Vytautas's remains may have been moved in secret, with the operation hidden even from workers building a wall. He also asked why a magnetometer was not used, and said the opening has been bricked up.
Aurimas Švedas, director of the Lithuanian Institute of History, urged against rushing the process or treating it like a horse race. The search and related work at the cathedral are expected to cost about 4 million euros and to continue through 2030.
