Videniškių vienuolyno muziejus

About the museum

The museum is housed in the two-storey brick residence of the senior prelates (infulates) of the Canons Regular of Penance monastery, built in 1754 in Videniškiai. Here the history of the famous Giedraičiai princes comes to life. The chapter hall on the first floor was decorated in 1762 with portraits and inscriptions of the monastery's senior prelates. These portrait frescoes lay hidden under wall paint for many years; once discovered and restored, they show the portraits of eight senior prelates who lived up to the mid-18th century – there are no other such frescoes in the Lithuanian provinces.

The exhibition tells the story of Blessed Mykolas Giedraitis, whose beatification took place in Videniškiai on 22 June 2019, and of Jurgis Giedraitis (Jerzy Giedroyc), editor of the Paris "Kultūra" magazine, who sought reconciliation between Lithuanians and Poles. In 1753 the book "Broma, atverta ing viečnastį" by Mykolas Olševskis was written in the Videniškiai monastery; it became a monument of early Lithuanian writing. The museum also displays a set of 400 Easter eggs decorated with scratched ornaments by folk artist Vanda Giedrytė.

On the 4th of each month the feast of Blessed Mykolas Giedraitis is commemorated: at 12:00 Mass is held in the Videniškiai church, after which participants are invited to the monastery museum. The monastery has a space for temporary exhibitions and offers workshops on baking kalėdaičiai (traditional Christmas biscuits) and candle-making.

Highlights

• The 1754 residence of the monastery's senior prelates
• Portrait frescoes in the chapter hall (1762)
• Stories of Blessed Mykolas Giedraitis and Jerzy Giedroyc
• Vanda Giedrytė's collection of 400 Easter eggs
• Workshops on baking kalėdaičiai and candle-making

Permanent exhibition

• Videniškių vienuolyno muziejaus ekspozicija – Portrait frescoes in the senior prelates' residence, the Giedraičiai family and the story of Blessed Mykolas Giedraitis, a monument of early Lithuanian writing and Vanda Giedrytė's collection of Easter eggs.

Operated by

VšĮ Molėtų krašto muziejus

Admission & discounts

General ticket rates of the Molėtų krašto muziejus: adults €5, pupils, students and pensioners €3, family ticket €10.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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