Žemaičių vyskupystės muziejus
A branch of the Žemaičių muziejus “Alka” (Samogitian Museum “Alka”) in the former buildings of the priests' seminary in Varniai, with sacred heritage and the largest ringing bells in Lithuania.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Žemaičių vyskupystės muziejus is a branch of the Žemaičių muziejus “Alka” (Samogitian Museum “Alka”), located in the historic buildings of the Samogitian priests' seminary in Varniai. It is believed that the first cathedral of the Samogitian bishopric stood on the site where, around 1740, Bishop Antanas Domininkas Tiškevičius began building the brick bell tower. The bell tower was completed, and the seminary beside it built, by Bishop Jonas Dominykas Lopacinskis; the building, designed by the architect Jonas Kristupas Glaubicas, served the seminary for about a century, until it was closed by the tsarist Russian authorities after the uprising of 1864.
In later times the buildings housed barracks, and in 1927–1931 the Varniai concentration camp operated here. Later the building housed the Žemaičių vyskupystės muziejus. In recent years it has been renovated and reopened to visitors (in 2023), and a new exhibition presenting the sacred treasures has been set up.
The museum brings together several centuries of sacred treasures of Samogitian shrines, works of art, the works of folk masters, liturgical objects and historical and archaeological artefacts from the 15th–16th centuries onwards. An important part of a visit is the bell tower, which houses the largest bells in Lithuania and from which there is a view over Varniai.
Highlights
- Sacred treasures and works of art of Samogitian shrines, from the 15th–16th centuries onwards
- Bell tower with the largest ringing bells in Lithuania and a view of the town
- Authentic spaces of the Samogitian priests' seminary, once walked by Bishop Motiejus Valančius
- Bells ring on the last Sunday of each month at 12:00
Permanent exhibitions
- Sakralinio paveldo ekspozicija – Sacred treasures of Samogitian shrines from several centuries, works of art, liturgical objects and archaeological artefacts, and the history of the Samogitian bishopric.
- Varpinės bokštas – The largest ringing bells in Lithuania, with reliefs, are kept in the tower; a view of Varniai opens from the top.
- Operated by
- Žemaičių muziejus „Alka“
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3students, pupils, pensioners and others specified in the order of the Minister of Culture (on presentation of documents granting concessions) |
| Children & teens | €3 |
| Seniors | €3For pensioners (on presentation of a document). |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Admission to the exhibitions and displays is free for persons with disabilities and one person accompanying them (on presentation of a document confirming entitlement to the concession). |
| Students & apprentices | €3For students and pupils (on presentation of a document). |
| Groups | –Guide service: for a group of up to 25 people – €30; for a group of 26 to 50 people – €60. |
| Exhibition with a visit to the bell tower | €8With concession: €4. |
| Visit to the bell tower | €2 |
| Guide service (group of up to 25 people) | €30Ordered in advance. |
| Guide service (group of 26 to 50 people) | €60Ordered in advance. |
| Ringing of the bells (3 min.) | €50Ordered in advance. |
Free admission: Every last Sunday of the month.
A visit to the exhibition without the bell tower costs €6 (with concession €3); with the bell tower €8 (with concession €4); a separate ticket for the bell tower costs €2. Teachers accompanying pupil groups and guides with a valid certificate enter free. A non-commercial photo session in the exhibition (up to 2 hours, up to 15 people) costs €50.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers educational activities and tours for groups of pupils.
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
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 50 guests.
The hall for events and celebrations (up to 3 hours, up to 50 people) costs €250; the renter also pays for the exhibition tickets.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | A non-commercial photo session in the exhibition (up to 2 hours, up to 15 people, during opening hours) costs €50. |
| Good to know | A guide service must be booked in advance. The bells can be heard ringing on the last Sunday of each month at 12:00, or by pre-ordering the ringing service. |
