Vinco Kudirkos muziejus

About the museum

The museum’s origins date back to the 1950s, when a group of young historians at the town school began collecting exhibits; in 1987 an exhibition dedicated to Vincas Kudirka was set up there. The new museum was built in 1998 through the efforts of the Vincas Kudirka fund, on the site of a house that had burned down and in which, as it later turned out, Vincas Kudirka had actually lived and worked.

In the autumn of the same year the museum became a branch of the Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus, and on 5 December, marking the 100th anniversary of the creation of “Tautiška giesmė” (the national anthem) and the 140th anniversary of Vincas Kudirka’s birth, a solemn opening took place. The building was designed by the architect Audrius Ambrasas. In February 2017 the museum welcomed visitors with renewed exhibitions.

The exhibition presents the physician and writer Vincas Kudirka (1858–1899), the newspaper “Varpas”, his personal life and his last years in Naumiestis, as well as the book smuggling phenomenon during the press ban (1864–1904), which is recognised by UNESCO. On display are the piano on which he played, the original of “Varpas”, manuscripts of Kudirka’s literary translations, a hiding place for banned books, objects belonging to book smugglers and a national costume of the Zanavykai from the late 19th century.

Highlights

• The piano Vincas Kudirka played and the original of “Varpas”
• Kudirka’s translation manuscripts (Byron’s “Kainas”, Schiller’s “Viliaus Telis”)
• Hiding place for banned books and objects of the book smugglers
• Interactive terminals with the issues of “Varpas” and “Ūkininkas”
• Excursions around Kudirkos Naumiestis

Permanent exhibition

• Vinco Kudirkos muziejaus ekspozicija – The story of Vincas Kudirka, author of the Lithuanian national anthem, the newspaper “Varpas”, book smuggling and Kudirkos Naumiestis in the second half of the 19th century.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free entry on the last Sunday of every month.

Pre-school children, persons who have reached 80 years of age, employees of Lithuanian museums, ICOM members, guides with a valid card and journalists are admitted free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• 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 building has been newly built and adapted for people with mobility impairments. The exhibition is on the first and second floors: the first floor can be reached by a fairly steep ramp, but the lift is currently out of order, so the second floor can only be reached by stairs. There is an accessible toilet on the first floor.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Families are offered family tickets and educational sessions on national revival, the personality of Vincas Kudirka and the history of the press ban; the youngest can colour in characters from the fairy tales of Pranas Mašiotas.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town centre, next to the town park, opposite the Vincas Kudirka monument.

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