 Žirmūnai's southernmost section, which lies on the bank of the River Neris opposite the Vilnius Castle Complex, was part of the settlement known as "Žvejai"; another part of that settlement is now located within the elderate of Šnipiškės.According to archaeological surveys from 2005, a fishing village may have been located here as early as the late 14th century, giving the area its name, literally, "Fishermen"; it was later settled by craftsmen and housed the Orthodox Church of St Barbara.During the 16th century, the only glass factory in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was located in the suburb of "Žvejai".