Bitininkystės muziejus

About the museum

The Senovinės bitininkystės muziejus (Museum of Traditional Beekeeping) is located in Aukštaitija National Park, in the village of Stripeikiai. Stripeikiai is the oldest village in the park; it is first mentioned in the Livonian Chronicle in 1357. Even then the village was known for beekeeping – it paid its tribute to the Labanoro dvaras (Labanoras manor) in honey and wax. The museum began to be developed in 1978 on the bank of the Tauragnos upelis (Tauragna stream) and opened to visitors in 1984. Its initiator, founder and long-time director was Bronislovas Kazlas.

When the land was returned to its owners, the exhibits were moved to the present site; the original exhibition structure fell apart and some of the objects standing outdoors rotted. The museum was therefore reconstructed under the project “Saugomų teritorijų tvarkymas (II etapas)” (Management of Protected Areas, Stage II), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and Lithuania. The old buildings were restored, four new ones were built (a barn, a beehive shed and two gazebos), the surroundings were tidied and the site was adapted for people with disabilities.

Today the museum occupies an area of about 4 ha. In the new interactive indoor exhibition, spread over several buildings of a traditional Aukštaitija farmstead, each building presents a different theme on the bee and beekeeping. Outdoors there is an old sculpture park, a linden hill with hammocks, a children's play area, gazebos and a path along the Tauragna stream. The museum offers 17 educational programmes and hosts festivals, and there is also a small café, “Bitutė”.

Highlights

• Interactive beekeeping exhibition in the farmstead buildings
• Park of old sculptures outdoors
• Linden hill with hammocks and the sound of bees buzzing
• Educational programmes on bees and their products
• Café “Bitutė” with food cooked over an open fire

Permanent exhibitions

• Vidaus ekspozicija sodybos pastatuose – Interactive exhibition in the buildings of a traditional Aukštaitija farmstead (“Jonažolė”, “Bandrenis”, “Muilinė guboja”, “Šlamutis” and others): each building presents a different theme on bees and beekeeping, the development of beekeeping, bee products and honey plants.
• Lauko ekspozicija – The park of old sculptures, a linden hill with hammocks, a children's play area and gazebos on the museum grounds.

Founded

1984

Admission & discounts

Prices of educational programmes depend on the programme; groups and educational sessions must be registered in advance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

The museum's surroundings are adapted for persons with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

There is a children's play area outdoors; educational programmes are offered for children and pupils.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The small café “Bitutė” is at the museum; food is cooked over an open fire. Group catering must be booked in advance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit