5. Luminor Bank AS Lithuanian Branch, Client Consulting Centre in Panevėžys/ former Bank of Lithuania

About

Although nowadays the Bank of Lithuania only has two departments –in Vilnius and Kaunas – back in the days of the Interwar Lithuania, they were far more numerous. In the 30s when the Bank began accumulating more financial wealth, modern department headquarters sprung up in various Lithuanian cities and towns. The chief driving force behind the projects was Mykolas Songaila. The building in Panevėžys was the first one to be built outside the capital. Its construction began in 1930. The architect’s plan was ingeniously designed since the internal spaces and volume stood out the most. The exterior, on the other hand, was not lavish; the building organically blended in with the urban landscape of the city. The strict but restrained shape of the building was a common feature of the modernist aesthetics which gradually became more and more prevalent in the works of Lithuanian architects. Up to this day the building is known for its magnificent reception hall which gives every visitor a lasting impression. The main feature which cannot be seen from the outside is the dome covering the operations hall; its base is supported by twelve imposing atlantes created by Juozas Zikaras. There is more to be seen on the inside – German safe vault doors, terrazzo stairs, just to name a few. Curiously, the function of the building remained the same since the 30s. It remains one of the most important and valuable buildings of the Interwar era in Panevėžys.