During the interwar period Lithuanian Bank’s buildings popped up not only in the temporary capital but also in many smaller cities and towns, such as Utena, Ukmergė, Mažeikiai, Tauragė, Biržai, etc. The bank usually looked solid, outstanding, and represented architectural trends of the capital. Kėdainiai with a population of six thousand at that time was no exception. Together with the gymnasium and the hospital built in the thirties, the bank was amongst key public objects of the town. As usual for government authorities at that time, apart from essential premises for object’s functioning (in Kėdaniai bank this included the working hall, security, a safe, director’s office, etc.), the building also had apartments for the janitor (1st floor) and the director (2nd floor). It is unusual to see a 6 m2 vault built right next to the entrance. Recalling the object, it is worth noting that the architect of the building – Arnas Funkas – was one of the most innovative creators of interwar Lithuania. Unfortunately, this interesting example of interwar architecture, built in 1932, only stood in Kėdainiai for a little longer than a decade. During WWII it was torn down.
Vaidas Petrulis