Samogitian Village Museum

Samogitian Rural Museum is a branch of the Samogitian Museum “Alka”, located on the south-western shore of Lake Mastis in Telšiai. The open-air museum covers an area of 8.5 hectares.

The museum aims to preserve the architectural heritage typical of the Samogitia region, continue traditions of ethnic culture and foster Samogitian identity. The ethnographic site recreates the atmosphere of a Samogitian village from the late 19th to the early 20th century.

Today visitors can explore three authentic farmstead complexes complemented by key elements of historic rural settlements, including a small cemetery, a windmill and a blacksmith’s forge.

The museum also maintains traditional plant varieties and domestic animals characteristic of the Samogitian countryside, such as Žemaitukai horses, sheep, goats and rabbits.

Educational programmes, cultural events and demonstrations of traditional crafts regularly take place here, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Samogitian customs and rural heritage.

History

The museum began to be developed in 1963 when the Council of Ministers of Lithuania approved the establishment of the Lithuanian Folk Life Museum (now in Rumšiškės) and three regional open-air museums in Telšiai, Rokiškis and Alytus.

The project in Alytus was never implemented, while only a few buildings were constructed in Rokiškis. In Telšiai, however, the second largest open-air ethnographic museum in Lithuania (after Rumšiškės) was successfully established.

The first building transferred to the museum in 1967 was a traditional bathhouse from the Tryškiai area. The Samogitian Rural Museum opened to visitors in 1982.

Today the museum complex includes 16 historic buildings with exhibitions displaying authentic furniture, tools, household items and tableware. The interiors are decorated with crosses, paintings and other objects reflecting traditional rural interiors.

The site is accessible for visitors with mobility disabilities.

Events and Festivals

The museum hosts annual traditional events related to ethnic culture, including Užgavėnės (Shrovetide celebrations), night dances and barn theatre performances.

Each May the museum also organises the festival “Žemaitiu gīvastis”, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Samogitian cultural identity.

Virtual Tour of the Samogitian Rural Museum

Explore the Samogitian Rural Museum online and discover its historic buildings, traditional homesteads and authentic rural environment. The virtual tour allows you to experience the museum space and learn more about Samogitian rural heritage from anywhere in the world.

Virtual Tour of the Samogitian Rural Museum

Last updated: 13 March 2026