National Museum of Lithuania, History museum in Old Town, Vilnius, Lithuania.
The National Museum of Lithuania is a history museum housed in the New Arsenal building in Vilnius that holds over 800,000 objects across multiple departments. The collections span archaeology, ethnography, numismatics, and historical artifacts from various periods that document the nation's development.
The institution began as the Museum of Antiquities in 1855 and eventually developed into the nation's primary repository for Lithuanian heritage. It suffered major losses of artifacts during Russian Empire rule and was forced to relocate collections during World War I, which disrupted its holdings significantly.
The museum displays traditional crafts and folk costumes from different Lithuanian regions, showing how local communities expressed identity through their daily objects and clothing. Visitors encounter textiles, pottery, and personal items that reveal the customs and skills people valued across time.
The museum is located in Old Town and operates on most days of the week, though hours vary depending on the day. Plan to spend several hours exploring since the extensive collections require significant time to view properly.
The museum oversees several historical buildings, including Gediminas Castle Tower, one of the oldest and most recognizable landmarks in the city. From this medieval structure, visitors enjoy panoramic views across Vilnius and its rooftops.
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