Lietuvos etnografijos muziejus

About the museum

Attempts to create a central open-air museum in Lithuania began as early as the early 20th century, but they failed. The museum was founded in 1966 on the lands of Pievelių village in Rumšiškės and opened to visitors in 1974. Until November 2023 it was called the Lietuvos liaudies buities muziejus (Lithuanian Folk Life Museum). Many people took part in its establishment: a scientific council, architects, builders, collectors of exhibits and donors.

The museum covers 195 ha on the shore of the Kaunas Reservoir and is one of the largest open-air museums in Europe in terms of area and number of immovable exhibits. The exhibition is arranged by ethnographic region – Dzūkija, Aukštaitija, Suvalkija, Žemaitija and Lithuania Minor – and shows the everyday life, work and traditions of peasants and townspeople from the late 18th to the mid-20th century. The main exhibition units are farmsteads or fragments of them, surrounded by vegetable gardens, orchards, mills, smithies and other technical objects.

In the centre of the museum stands a small town with the Švč. Mergelės Marijos Gimimo bažnyčia (Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and in the north-western corner stand the Aristavėlės dvaro rūmai (Aristavėlė Manor House). A separate sector on deportation and resistance recalls Soviet repression: it contains a yurt, a deportation wagon and a partisan hideout. Some exhibitions are living – visitors can try out crafts, taste dishes or take part in festivals.

The museum offers more than 30 educational sessions for children, families and adults. Its branches are the Salų etnoarchitektūrinis kaimas (Salos Ethnoarchitectural Village) in Ignalina district and the Šuminų etnografinė sodyba in Utena district.

Highlights

• Almost 150 buildings in farmsteads from five ethnographic regions
• A small town with the Švč. Mergelės Marijos Gimimo bažnyčia
• Deportation and resistance sector with a deportation wagon and a bunker
• Aristavėlė Manor House
• More than 30 educational sessions and living exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions

• Aukštaitijos sektorius – Aukštaitian farmsteads and fragments of village life; the Daujėnai farmstead presents traditional Aukštaitian beer brewing.
• Dzūkijos sektorius – Dzūkian farmsteads, buildings and village everyday life; the Musteika farmstead presents the custom of commemorating the dead called “Dziedai”.
• Suvalkijos, Žemaitijos ir Mažosios Lietuvos sektoriai – Farmsteads, buildings and technical objects of the residents of Suvalkija, Žemaitija and Lithuania Minor.
• Miestelis – The centre of the museum has a small town with the Švč. Mergelės Marijos Gimimo bažnyčia and other buildings typical of a small town.
• Tremties ir pasipriešinimo sektorius – A yurt, a deportation wagon, a partisan hideout and monuments commemorate the deportation and resistance of Lithuania's residents.
• Aristavėlės dvaro rūmai – The manor house in the north-western corner of the museum grounds.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Lietuvos etnografijos muziejus (valstybės biudžetinė įstaiga)

Visitors per year

approx. 90,000

Admission & discounts

The stated price applies when the interior exhibitions are open. When the museum is visited as a park, the park ticket applies. Holders of family and POLA cards pay lower prices (not during events). Free admission for persons aged 80 and over, employees of Lithuanian museums, and members of ICOM, ICOMOS and UNESCO. During events the director sets the ticket price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Entry is free for persons with an assessed degree of participation and one accompanying person; entry to the grounds is free for people with disabilities. Educational sessions are offered that are adapted for people with mobility impairments, special needs and intellectual disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum offers more than 30 educational sessions for children and families; pre-school children visit free of charge, and holders of a family card receive a discount.

Getting there & parking

By car, take the A1/E85 motorway (Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum rents out premises; bookings are accepted by phone, +370 687 67237, during office hours.

Plan your visit