Vilniaus universiteto Zoologijos muziejus
The oldest scientific zoology museum in Lithuania, at the Gyvybės mokslų centras (Life Sciences Centre): exhibitions of vertebrates and invertebrates and a collection of about 270,000 specimens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The origins of the Vilniaus universiteto Zoologijos muziejus go back to the natural history cabinet of the Main School of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the second half of the 18th century. At the Imperial University of Vilnius (Vilniaus imperatoriškasis universitetas) the collection was one of the richest in Europe and comprised about 20,000 exhibits. After the university was closed in 1832, part of the collections was lost; in 1922 the remaining material returned to the university, and in 1931 a natural history museum operated there. During the Soviet period the museum was closed to the public, but it continued to add to its scientific collections.
Since 15 March 2016 the museum has been located in the new Gyvybės mokslų centras (Life Sciences Centre) of the university, where it has about 400 square metres. The collections consist of invertebrate and vertebrate sets, a small fossil collection and an amber inclusion collection; in 2023 the museum held about 270,000 specimens. The vertebrate and invertebrate exhibition is on display, and among the historically valuable objects are birds of paradise collected during an 18th-century expedition.
The museum runs educational activities; visitors are admitted by prior arrangement of the time.
Highlights
- Collection of about 270,000 specimens
- Vertebrate and invertebrate exhibitions
- Historically valuable objects, including birds of paradise from the 18th century
- Amber inclusion collection
- Educational programmes
Permanent exhibition
- Stuburinių ir bestuburių ekspozicijos – Exhibitions on the animal world at the Gyvybės mokslų centras, devoted to vertebrates and invertebrates.
- Operated by
- Vilniaus universitetas
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €1For children, schoolchildren and students: €1 |
| Students & apprentices | €1 |
| Guide or educational tour (for groups of up to 15–20 persons) | €10Duration 1–1.5 hours. |
Members of the Vilniaus universitetas community are admitted free of charge.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Excursions and educational sessions are booked by phone or email; up to 30 people at a time, lasting about 1–1.5 hours. Invoices are ordered in advance by phone +370 614 58815. |
