Laisvės kovų muziejus
The Freedom Struggles Museum in the former Utena narrow-gauge railway station tells about the Soviet occupation, deportations and the partisan war in the Utena region.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Freedom Struggles Museum was established in 2015 in the building of the former Utena narrow-gauge railway station. It is a branch of the Utenos kraštotyros muziejus (Utena Regional Museum). Its modern and interactive exhibition, through the history of one region, makes it possible to learn the past not only of Lithuania but also of other European states.
The exhibition “Bendras Europos identitetas totalitarinių režimų kontekste” (A Common European Identity in the Context of Totalitarian Regimes) presents the history of the Panevėžys–Švenčionėliai narrow-gauge railway, Europe divided by the secret protocols of 1939, the Soviet occupation and annexation of Lithuania, the forced participation of Lithuanians in the Second World War, deportations, post-war resistance and the creation of collective farms in the Utena region. The main events in the Utena region and Lithuania from 1940 to 1965 are compared with life behind the Iron Curtain, and the differences between Eastern and Western Europe help nations to know each other better.
The museum offers the overview tour “Ketvirtis amžiaus okupacijos (1940–1965)” (A Quarter Century of Occupation, 1940–1965) and thematic tours on camps and deportation, the partisan war, collectivisation and the narrow-gauge railway in Utena, as well as educational sessions. Every year on 14 June the Day of Mourning and Hope is commemorated, and events honouring the partisans are held.
Key themes
- Interactive exhibition in the former narrow-gauge railway station
- Occupation, deportation and partisan war in the Utena region
- History of the Panevėžys–Švenčionėliai narrow-gauge railway
- Thematic tours and educational sessions
- Events of the Day of Mourning and Hope on 14 June
Permanent exhibition
- Bendras Europos identitetas totalitarinių režimų kontekste – The interactive exhibition shows the narrow-gauge railway, the division of Europe, the forced war, collectivisation, Soviet oppression and the freedom struggles, comparing the events of the Utena region in 1940–1965 with life behind the Iron Curtain.
- Founded
- 2015
- Operated by
- Utenos kraštotyros muziejus
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1pupils, students, soldiers, victims of the 1939–1990 occupations and pensioners up to 80 (50% discount) |
| Children & teens | freePre-school children visit free of charge. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Persons with disabilities and one accompanying person visit free of charge. |
| Local resident’s ticket (all Utena Regional Museum sites, valid for 14 days) | €5No discounts apply. |
Free admission: On the last Saturday of each month admission is free for everyone.
Free admission for pre-school children, orphans, persons with disabilities with one accompanying person, persons aged 80 and over, museum staff and ICOM members. A guided tour in Lithuanian (up to 60 minutes, for groups) costs €8; a tour in a foreign language costs €15.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum can be viewed independently, or an excursion or educational session can be booked. Five excursions and four educational sessions are offered (some are bilingual, in Lithuanian and English). |
