Medinės architektūros centras

About the museum

The Medinės architektūros centras began its activity as a branch of the Vilniaus memorialinių muziejų direkcija (Vilnius Memorial Museums Directorate) – the Museum of Wooden Urban Architecture – and welcomed its first visitors in 2022. In 2025 the museum became the Medinės architektūros centras, a branch of the Vilniaus miesto muziejus. In the same year the Vilnius City Municipality transferred to the centre two small wooden houses in Šnipiškės, at Giedraičių g. 24 and Kintų g. 10.

The centre is located in Užupis, in a 19th-century wooden house with impressive carvings that had stood abandoned for a long time and was restored in 2019–2022. Using authentic technologies, the craftsmen preserved about 80 percent of the external decorative details and 70 percent of the authentic walls and structures. In 2023 the museum received the prestigious Europa Nostra cultural heritage award.

The permanent exhibition on the second floor presents wood as a natural creation, a building material and a means of creative expression, the development of Vilnius' wooden city, and contemporary wooden buildings from all over the world – from a children's kindergarten in Japan to a skyscraper in Norway. Changing exhibitions are held on the first floor. The centre also offers free consultations to owners of wooden houses.

Highlights

• Restored 19th-century wooden house in Užupis, awarded the Europa Nostra prize
• Permanent exhibition on wooden architecture and its heritage on the second floor
• Models of contemporary wooden buildings from all over the world
• Interactive exhibits and a play room for children
• Free consultations for owners of wooden houses

Permanent exhibition

• Medinė architektūra – An interactive exhibition on the second floor about wood as a material, Vilnius' wooden heritage, the carpenter's work and contemporary wooden architecture around the world.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Vilniaus miesto muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Sunday of each month admission to the museum is free (11:00–19:00).

Free admission also for teachers, POLA card holders, Family card holders, members of ICOM, AICA and LDID, museum employees, guides, journalists and Ukrainian citizens.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

At the entrance from Polocko gatvė there are stairs and a ramp; the courtyard is paved with cobblestones. The building has a lift and a platform lift to the second floor; if needed, a wheelchair can be left on the veranda. On the second floor there is a play room, which can also be used as a quiet space with adjustable lighting.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

There is a play room on the second floor, where children are invited to find all the little wooden houses hidden in the museum. Holders of the Family card visit free of charge. There is no separate nursing room, but a baby can be fed in any space.

Getting there & parking

The entrance to the centre is from the side of Polocko gatvė.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

On the first floor you can hang up outerwear; there are lockable lockers for belongings and a locker for charging phones.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit