The most important object of cultural heritage in Šalčininkai is the Wagner Palace. The estate has been mentioned in written sources since the 14th century. The property rights were first held by the Glebavičiai family, later by the Chodkevičius family, and since 1835 the estate has belonged to the Vilnius pharmacists, Counts Martynas and Karolis Vagneris. In 1880, Vitoldas Vagneris built a two-storey Neo-Renaissance palace with two porticoes.
A German architect, Hetschold, joined the new palace with the old one built by the Chodkevičius and created an outhouse in the old part, a room for servants. The manor flourished especially between the wars, when Vitold’s son, Charles, took over. The Vagners’ farm was considered a model farm in the Vilnius region. Foreign delegations were taken to the Vagneris farm.
Inside the building, you can still see the excellent wood-burning stoves, and the so-called ‘golden hall’ is worthy of attention. The palace is now home to the Stanislav Moniuszko School of Arts.
