Grūto parkas
Open-air exhibition of Soviet-era monuments near Druskininkai, with museums, a small zoo and a café.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Grūto parkas is a private park of Soviet-era sculptures and monuments in the village of Grūtas, near Druskininkai. It was founded by Viliumas Malinauskas and opened on 1 April 2001. After independence was restored, a large part of the Soviet leaders' and ideological sculptures that had previously stood on the squares of towns and cities were moved here.
The outdoor exhibition covers about 20 ha and displays 86 works by 46 artists. The sculptures are arranged along an exhibition route about two kilometres long, where guard towers and fragments of camp fencing recall places of exile in Siberia. The aim of the exhibition is to show the content of Soviet ideology and its impact on society.
Several museums are also located in the park. The wooden building of the information centre recalls a cultural centre of the 1950s; its exhibition uses sound, film and photo documents to tell the story of Soviet propaganda and the genocide of the Lithuanian population. The picture gallery shows Socialist Realist paintings and graphic works, and the club-reading room exhibition recreates a village agitation point from the post-war period. In 2006 the park became the first museum in Lithuania to acquire professional audio guide equipment. The park also has a mini zoo, an area with Soviet-era amusement rides and a café.
Highlights
- Open-air exhibition of Soviet-era monuments and sculptures
- Information centre–museum on Soviet propaganda
- Picture gallery with Socialist Realist works
- Club-reading room exhibition with a re-created village agitation point
- Audio guide in six languages
Permanent exhibitions
- Lauko ekspozicija – Soviet-era monument sculptures, guard towers and fragments of camp fencing along a route about two kilometres long.
- Informacinis centras–muziejus – Sound, film and photo documents tell the story of Soviet propaganda, its methods and the genocide of the Lithuanian population.
- Paveikslų galerija – A political and economic exhibition of Socialist Realist paintings and graphic works, depicting the cult of Soviet leaders.
- Founded
- 2001
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10pensioners and pupils of general education schools (with proof of status) |
| Children & teens | €9free up to age 3 · For children aged 4 to 16; children under 4 enter free (proof of age may be requested). |
| Seniors | €10With a pensioner's card. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freePersons with a disability in group I and children with a disability under 16 enter free; with a group II card – €8; a person accompanying a person with a disability (group I, or children with a disability under 16) pays €10. |
| Students & apprentices | €11With a Lithuanian higher education full-time student card or an international ISIC or EURO26 student card. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €8 per personFor groups of general education school pupils attending the daytime programme (10 or more pupils, with a list of pupils). |
| Audio guide (Lithuanian, Russian, Polish, English, German, French) | €10 |
| Children from socially disadvantaged families (with approved lists) | €6 |
Museum staff, guides and journalists are admitted free of charge (with proof of status).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Playground / play area
The park has a mini zoo with birds and small animals and an area with Soviet-era amusement rides and carousels; the café has a children's play area.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Grūto autobusų stotelė · 30-min walk
From the Grūtas bus stop it is about a 30-minute walk to the park. Follow the signs along the park road.
By car
Parking available
There is a spacious car park next to the park.
From Druskininkai, take the A4 road towards Vilnius for about 5 km; at the “Grūto parkas” sign turn right and follow the signs. Distance from Vilnius and Kaunas: about 120 km.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The park café seats up to 250 visitors and offers Dzūkija dishes and a “nostalgia for the old days” menu. Souvenirs and publications are sold at the park kiosks.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 250 guests.
The café, with a stage and sound and lighting equipment, hosts banquets, celebrations and group events.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (LT, RU, PL, EN, DE, FR) |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group and team events are organised by prior arrangement. |
