As the quarantine in Lithuania hasn’t been lifted yet, cultural venues remain closed for visitors. Nevertheless, you can take a sneak peek into a handful of museums and galleries in Kaunas. Virtually, of course – here are some of the institutions that offer 3D tours for hungry art tourists from all around the globe. Many of the tours (those hosted by 1001pikselis.lt) were created by a Kaunas-based superhero Mantas Vaičiūnas who did this to fight the quaran-blues. Bravo, sir!
This 19th-century building became the house of the President soon after Kaunas became the temporary capital of Lithuania in 1919. Today, it’s a museum reflecting the glorious two decades of interwar Kaunas.
3D tour
Photo by Andrius Aleksandravičius
One of a kind, the devils’ museum sports a collection of over 3,000 devil creatures from all over the world. It was started by the painter Žmuidzinavičius, whose interwar house you can visit next door. Don’t forget to take look at the artist’s studio.
3D tour
Photo by Andrius Aleksandravičius
Soon after Lithuania declared its independence in 1918, talks began about a museum that would represent the history of our country. This building (with half of it being the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art) was financed by many patriotic citizens and the foundation was built on soil brought from war fields. The huge size of the museum is a monument to Vytautas the Great, one of the most important early historical leaders of the nation. Take a look inside…
Photo by Andrius Aleksandravičiu
Occupying three floors of a narrow building on the Town Hall square for more than 20 years, the gallery team have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible for the sake of art. Meno Parkas represents Kaunas and Lithuania in the most important contemporary art events around the world, and can lay claim to have been responsible for supporting a succession of several generations of Kaunas artists.
3D tours of exhibitions
SEX, DEATH AND HOLY MOLY by Marko Mäetamm. Photo by Meno Parkas
The M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum is a group of museums based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is primarily dedicated to exhibiting and publicizing the works of the painter and musician M.K. Čiurlionis (1875–1911). With the help of good old Google Maps, you can stroll around the gallery of his works.
Google maps tour
Photo by Andrius Aleksandravičius
The majority of people arriving at Kaunas start their sightseeing tours at the partly rebuilt ruins of Kaunas castle, the oldest building in the city. In the remaining tower, there are quite a few fascinating ehxibitis or you might consider hiring out the tower as a bachelor party venue when the situation permits!
Photo by Andrius Aleksandravičius
The gigantic monument by Alfonsas Vincentas Ambraziūnas, Gediminas Baravykas and Vytautas Vielius, erected some 30 years ago, is one of the most awe-inspiring landmarks of Kaunas – and a reminder of all the blood that was spilt here. Before WW2, the Ninth Fort of the Kaunas Fortress was used as a jail. Later, thousands of Jews were killed here, coming from local vicinities and also transported in from other countries occupied by Nazi Germany. There is also a museum presenting the painful chapters of this period of history open here, and you can visit its premises in a virtual tour.
Photo by Unseen Pictures / Kaunas IN
Located in the aerodrome of S. Darius and S. Girėnas (named after the pilots who flew across the Atlantic in 1933 but who tragically crashed short of their final destination), the museum offers an interesting mixed bag of exhibits that trace many aspects of Lithuanian aviation history, with some great historical aircraft relics exhibited outside.
Photo by the museum
The State Theatre founded in this building in 1920 was the first professional Lithuanian theatre, consisting of opera and drama troupes, and later a ballet troupe. However, the history of the building dates back to 1890. The building is also important in the wider historical context. On May 15, 1920, when Kaunas became the temporary capital, the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania started its work there. Paradoxically, it was in this building that Lithuania was declared the Soviet Socialist Republic by the occupants. Presently, Kaunas Musical Theatre shows almost 250 operettas, operas, and musicals during the season, with 3 to 4 premieres.
Photo by Andrius Aleksandravičius
During the interwar period, one of the most luxurious cinemas, the Art Deco Metropolitan (architects Vladimiras Dubeneckis, Klaudijus Duš-Dušauskas) was built in 1928. In 1940, the Soviet government nationalised the buildings, and the Kaunas Musical Comedy Theatre was soon established there. The Drama Theatre officially moved there in 1959, after the reconstruction that completely changed the structure. And the rest is the history of the first professional stationary drama theatre in Lithuania, which continues to this day.
Photo by the theatre
A TRIP WITH RAKETA
Raketa, or ‘Rocket’, is a passenger ship and an engineering legend that has sailed the most picturesque bends and valleys of the Nemunas river since the 1960s. The visionary and modern passenger ship was first built in the Soviet Union in 1957. Unforgettable futuristic shapes, powerful underwater wings and unprecedented speed of travel: a vehicle that surpassed the expectations of the time was associated with freedom and extremely rapid scientific progress. This year, the boat was back and was met with huge success.
Juniper Valley is a unique place in Lithuania. The botanical reserve is situated in Arlaviškės village, on a steep slope of Nemunas river. Junipers grow by itself. Valley is decorated with a variety of plants in various colours, shapes, smells. Some of them are extremely rare. Juniper Valley belongs to Kaunas Lagoon Regional Park. It is one of national nature monuments. In 2016, the 1,3 km length cognitive pathway was nominated as the most beautiful one in Lithuania.
Photo by Saulius Jankauskas
