Vilnius became a place of residence for rulers in the times of Grand Duke Gediminas. During the reign of Aleksandras Jogailaitis, the city established permanent administrative institutions. Vilnius was also an important residence of the Jogailaičiai Dynasty – Sigismund the Elder and the Italian Duchess Bona Sforza, Sigismund II Augustus and Barbora Radvilaitė – and the rulers of the Vasa Dynasty. Rulers and envoys from other countries visited the city during the period of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The envoy of the kings of England and France, Guillebert de Lannoy (15th century), and Freiherr von Herberstein, a diplomat of Maximilian I, the Emperor of the Roman Empire (16th century) told stories about Vilnius. After regaining its freedom in 1990, the city became the residence of heads of state again. Presidents have been residing here since 1993. In 30 years, presidents, kings and queens, Popes and even the Emperor of Japan have visited Vilnius. Thus, Vilnius is not only the capital but also a city that is in harmony with both the old (Grand Duchy of Lithuania) and modern (democratic) Lithuania.