Europos parkas

About the museum

The Europos parkas (Europe Park) was founded by the sculptor Gintaras Karosas. In 1987 he found a site near Vilnius and began clearing an abandoned forest; in 1991 he erected the first sculpture marking the start of the park. The idea was to mark the geographical centre of the European continent through art. On 20 August 1993 the sculpture park and museum exhibition were presented to the public and opened to visitors. In 1997 the running of the park was taken over by the public institution “Europos parkas”.

From 1993 to 2004 international sculpture symposia took place here, during which artists from many countries created the museum's first exhibits. In 1996 a sculpture by the conceptual artist Dennis Oppenheim was erected, opening the way for other classics of modern sculpture. The park's landscape is constantly shaped artistically and new works are added; its author is Gintaras Karosas.

Today the European Centre Museum comprises a 55-hectare wooded and undulating landscape with around 150 works on display. Visitors can see works by Magdalena Abakanowicz, Sol LeWitt, Dennis Oppenheim, Makoto Ito and other artists from around the world, as well as works by Vladas Kašuba, Bronius Vyšniauskas, Eglė Pauza, Dainius Jankauskas and other Lithuanian artists. Many of the works can be touched or even climbed on, which makes the museum attractive for families with children.

Highlights

• About 150 contemporary art works in a 55-hectare forest landscape
• Sol LeWitt's “Dvigubo negatyvo piramidė” (“Double Negative Pyramid”) and Dennis Oppenheim's “Krėslas/baseinas” (“Chair/Pool”)
• Magdalena Abakanowicz's “Neatpažinto augimo erdvė” (“Space of Unrecognised Growth”)
• A television sculpture entered in the Guinness World Records
• Many works can be touched and used
• Art forest trails with a restaurant in an apple orchard

Permanent exhibition

• Europos centro muziejus – nuolatinė ekspozicija po atviru dangumi – About 150 sculptures and environmental artworks by artists from around the world and from Lithuania, set out in a 55-hectare forest landscape.

Founded

1991

Operated by

VšĮ „Europos parkas“

Admission & discounts

Socially supported pupils receive a 20% discount; members of the Lithuanian Artists' Association, art historians and art critics receive 50%. Museum members visit free of charge. Teachers accompanying pupil groups (1 teacher per 10 pupils), Lithuanian museum staff and journalists are admitted free of charge.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Many works can be touched and used. A playful children's book, “Pokalbiai apie meną” (“Conversations about Art”), is available, and creative workshops, orienteering games and educational tours are offered.

Getting there & parking

The museum is 19 km north of Vilnius city centre. From Vilnius, take Kalvarijų Street to the Santariškių roundabout, turn towards Žaliųjų ežerų and follow the signs to the Europos parkas.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The restaurant is outdoors in an apple orchard and serves European cuisine, coffee and the “Menininkų” dessert. A souvenir shop is open.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Outdoor spaces, conference halls and the restaurant are offered for events; the income goes towards the development of the museum.

Plan your visit