Šilavoto Davatkynas

About the museum

For more than a century, devout women – davatkės – who lived in a remote place were important to the village community. They looked after the spiritual upbringing of the villagers, taught reading and crafts, and took in those who had suffered misfortune. The davatkės did not form families, lived very modestly and prayed for everyone; the sick felt their kindness especially, because each of them had a sick person in her care.

At one time seven houses stood in Davatkynas, some larger and some very small, which together formed a separate settlement. The sacral exhibition is set up in the little house of Ona Mieldažytė: in the middle of the 20th century, first Holy Communion was prepared here. In another room, women from the Šilavotas district learned the craft of sewing; memorial objects of the davatkės are also on display.

The Šilavotiškiai (people of Šilavotas) and the davatkės were linked by a path of davatkė sculptures, along which the devout women walked to church every day. Today it is a symbol of the Christian faith and of the way to the House of God. The museum is a branch of the Prienų krašto muziejus, and near Šilavotas there is an exhibition “Laisvės kovos Šilavoto krašte” (“Freedom Struggles in the Šilavotas Region”).

Highlights

• Sacral exhibition in Ona Mieldažytė's little house
• Memorial objects of the davatkės
• Seamstress workshop
• Path of davatkė sculptures
• Ensemble of seven little houses

Permanent exhibition

• Šilavoto Davatkynas – Sacral exhibition, seamstress workshop, memorial objects of the davatkės and a path of sculptures.

Operated by

Prienų krašto muziejus

Admission & discounts

The ticket for one branch costs €2 for an adult; holders of the Prieniečio kortelė pay €1. The same discount applies to pupils, students, seniors and people with disabilities. A guided tour of the museum (up to 2 hours) costs €2 (€1 with the discount). Tours are free for groups from budget-funded and public institutions and associations of the Prienai district, and for Ukrainian war refugees.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational session offered: “Ką pasakoja Šilavoto Davatkyno muziejaus skulptūros”.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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