Mažosios Lietuvos istorijos muziejus

About the museum

The Mažosios Lietuvos istorijos muziejus is housed in one of the oldest Baroque houses in Klaipėda, built in 1774. The building, with a well-tended vineyard, belonged to the postal director Johanas Kristianas Vitė. The origins of the museum go back to 1924, when the Lithuanian and German intelligentsia of the region founded the Klaipėdos krašto muziejaus draugija (Klaipėda Region Museum Society). After the Second World War, in 1949, the museum was re-established as the Klaipėdos kraštotyros muziejus (Klaipėda Local Studies Museum); in 1988 it was renamed the Mažosios Lietuvos istorijos muziejus, and the buildings on Didžioji Vandens gatvė were handed over to it. It has had its new exhibitions and administration here since 2013.

The exhibition covers the prehistory of the region, the customs of life and burial of the Curonian and Skalvian tribes, the conquests of the Teutonic Order and the existence of the state it established, the origins of the first Lithuanian printed books and periodicals, and the events of the first half of the 20th century. The traditional culture of the lietuvininkai holds a special place.

The museum also has other branches: the Kalvystės muziejus (Forge Museum, opened in 1992), the Pilies muziejus (Castle Museum, since 2002), an exhibition on deportation and resistance, and the Klaipėdos skulptūrų parkas (Klaipėda Sculpture Park), whose sculptures it has looked after since 2006.

Highlights

• Baroque house from 1774 with a vineyard in the courtyard
• Customs of the Curonians and Skalvians and the period of the Teutonic Order
• Traditional culture of the lietuvininkai
• Origins of the first Lithuanian printed books
• Free audio guide in Lithuanian and English
• Joint ticket with the Kalvystės and Pilies museums

Permanent exhibition

• Mažosios Lietuvos istorijos ekspozicija – The exhibition runs from the prehistory of the region, the customs of the Curonians and Skalvians and the period of the Teutonic Order to the origins of Lithuanian printing, the events of the first half of the 20th century and the traditional culture of the lietuvininkai.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Savivaldybės biudžetinė įstaiga (Klaipėdos miestas)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for Lithuanian museum staff, ICOM members, teachers accompanying pupil groups (at least 10 people), and members of tourist firm and guide guilds accompanying groups of at least 5 people. Tickets can be bought online.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

The museum is pet-friendly.

Events & venue rental

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