9. Alytus Riflemen’s House

About

Built in 1938, Alytus Riflemen’s House is one of the city’s most distinctive examples of interwar Modernist architecture. Its construction was not only an architectural project but also a collective effort, as funds were raised through donations, lotteries and other events, with both city residents and people from the surrounding areas contributing to the project.

Designed by engineer Adolfas Lukošaitis, the building was carefully adapted to the sloping site beside the City Garden Park. Due to the terrain, it appears more modest from the street, while from the park all three storeys are visible. Inside were a hall with a stage and more than 300 seats, sports facilities, a library, a reading room, premises for the Riflemen’s Union and a restaurant. 

The opening of the Riflemen’s House was a major event in the city, attended by the Minister of the Interior and accompanied by a concert featuring prominent soloists from the State Theatre. The building soon became a major centre for Alytus’ cultural and civic life, hosting concerts, performances, meetings, lectures, commemorations and various community events. 

During the Soviet occupation, the building was nationalised and converted into a cultural centre, but after Lithuania regained its independence, it was returned to the Riflemen’s Union. Today, Alytus Riflemen’s House embodies not only the architectural aspirations of the interwar period but also the determination of a community that came together to shape its city.