The project on the reconstruction of the old city was prepared on the basis of archival materials and location studies. However, this research was insufficient for a historical and architectural evaluation of the buildings. Neither was it the aim of those who masterminded the project The work on the restoration of blocks went through the following stages: — an inventorying of the present condition of the buildings; — additional historical research to be included in the material collected for the compilation of the old city's reconstruction project; — detailed architectural and archaeological research; — working out the project on the basis of the researched material; — work production or the realization of the project Now, looking back on the experience of the comprehensive restoration projects of the first blocks of old Vilnyus, it is evident that there were many omissions. The reasons for this were not only the inexperience of qualified specialists but also the absense of a uniform approach. The first project on the restoration of the 33 rd and 34th Blocks was prepared in 1961, but its implementation was postponed. What was, however, immediately taken up was the preparation of a project dealing with the comprehensive reconstruction of separate architectural monuments. These blocks are the main areas which attract visitors to the old city, because they are in its centre and are surrounded by the main streets of the historical core—Gorky Street, Muzeyaus, the narrow streets of Stiklyu and M. Antokolsky. The blocks are directly connected to the Ratusha (Town Hall) Square and its buildings. A comprehensive restoration project was prepared in 1968 for the 54th Block At the present moment all the necessary research has been completed and projects have been prepared for twelve more blocks in the old town. To the material that had been collected for the overall project of restoration, new research of historical documents was added. It was compared with the archaeological, architectural and building research. Such comparison and numerous additions threw up a lot of varied information on the historical and town plan evolution of the blocks and separate buildings. At the time of the first projects on block reconstruction comprehensive research had not always been carried out No work had been done on monumental art, the polychrome of facades and interiors. The causes for dampness on the walls too had not been ascertained. What brought about enormous Journal of Arts & Ideas 91