On August 8, 1655 Vilnius - the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania - was occupied bey Russian army led by Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich. Vilnius castles were held by the Muscoviets from 1655 till 1661. In fact, the city was recaptured on July 11, 1660 but it was not until December 3, 1661 that the Muscoviets left Vilnius castles. On August 14 Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich himself was welcomed in the city and its streets were covered with red carpets on the occasion. By his order all furniture, bells, copper plates from the roofs and most exquisite architectural details were collected from Vilnius churches and palaces and taken to Moscow together with all the craftsmen that could still be found in the city.