Devils' Museum in Kaunas: travel spot in Lithuania

Devils' Museum in Kaunas - Žmuidzinavičius devil collection

The Devils' Museum in Kaunas is one of Lithuania's most distinctive museums. Opened in 1982, it continues the devil collection gathered by artist Antanas Žmuidzinavičius, which grew from about 260 items to roughly 3,000 objects from Lithuania and more than 70 countries - a story of folk imagination, humour, fear, and Christian iconography.

Devils' Museum in Kaunas exhibition with wooden devil carvings and dark display halls

Place

Kaunas City Municipality

Region

Kaunas

Type

unique museum of devil iconography and folk art

Address

V. Putvinskio g. 64, Kaunas

Coordinates

54.90060, 23.91250

Visit duration

45 minutes-1.5 hours

Best time

during opening hours, when it can be combined with the Čiurlionis Museum and a Vienybės Square route

Names and variants

Devils' Museum, Žmuidzinavičius Devils' Museum

Why Kaunas has a Devils' Museum

The Devils' Museum grew from the collection of artist Antanas Žmuidzinavičius and operates in his memorial house at V. Putvinskio g. 64, near Vienybės Square and the main Čiurlionis Museum buildings. The devils he collected were not just a curiosity: they were an archive of folk art, souvenirs, mythological images, and everyday humour, showing how one figure can live in very different cultural forms.

Today the museum belongs to the network of the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art, but its atmosphere differs from a classical art gallery. Visitors see not only authored works, but a wide panorama of imagination - from woodcarvings and masks to contemporary interpretations and souvenirs from around the world.

The devil as a cultural character

In Lithuanian folklore the devil is not only a horror figure. He can be a trickster, a mocked opponent, a figure connected with earth and property motifs, a sign of Christian morality, or a comic character. In the museum this layering becomes visible through the abundance of forms.

That is why the museum is worth visiting slowly. A quick walk leaves only the impression that there are many devils; a closer look lets you compare materials, regions, makers' humour, attributes, facial expressions, and the changing symbolism of the devil.

Antanas Žmuidzinavičius's collection and the 1982 museum

Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1876-1966), born in Seirijai, was a well-known painter, graphic artist, and active cultural figure, one of the founders of the Lithuanian Art Society and a professor. Alongside painting, he collected Lithuanian folk art, archaeological and ethnographic objects, and devils throughout his life, giving the collection a strong biographical layer.

In 1966 the A. Žmuidzinavičius Works and Collections Museum was founded in the artist's former home in Kaunas, and in 1982 the separate Devils' Museum opened there. The initial collection contained about 260 devils; today it holds about 3,000 exhibits from Lithuania and more than 70 countries. A private passion thus became a public cultural object - a museum origin story very typical of Kaunas.

How to visit the museum

The Devils' Museum works for a shorter stop, but it is best to allow at least 45 minutes. If you are interested in folk art, mythology, or iconography, you will stay longer, because the labels and comparisons between different devil images are worth reading.

During research, the official branch page announced a temporary closure from June 15 to July 7, 2026, and the usual schedule was Tuesday-Friday 11:00-19:00 and Saturday-Sunday 11:00-17:00. Because branch hours, galleries, and discounts may change, check official information before going.

Devils' Museum in Kaunas: frequently asked questions

Where is the Devils' Museum in Kaunas?

The museum is at V. Putvinskio g. 64 in Kaunas, in the memorial house of artist A. Žmuidzinavičius, near Vienybės Square and the main Čiurlionis Museum buildings.

Who started the Devils' Museum collection?

The core of the museum is the devil collection gathered during the life of artist Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1876-1966), later expanded into a large museum exhibition.

When was the Devils' Museum established?

The separate Devils' Museum was established in 1982 in the artist's house, where the A. Žmuidzinavičius Works and Collections Museum had operated since 1966.

How many devils are in the museum?

The initial collection had about 260 devils; today the museum holds roughly 3,000 exhibits from Lithuania and more than 70 countries.

Is the Devils' Museum about Lithuanian mythology?

Partly. It includes folklore and mythological images, but the collection is broader: folk art, woodcarvings, masks, souvenirs, humour, Christian iconography, and interpretations from different countries.

Is the museum suitable for children?

Usually yes, because the exhibition is visual and memorable. For younger children it is worth explaining in advance that the devil is shown here as a cultural character, not as a horror attraction.

How much time does the Devils' Museum need?

A short visit can take 45 minutes, but with closer reading and a wider Čiurlionis Museum route, plan 1-1.5 hours.

Where should I check tickets and opening hours?

Check current opening hours, tickets, discounts, and branch visiting conditions on the official National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art website.

Is the Devils' Museum currently open?

During research, the official page announced a temporary closure from June 15 to July 7, 2026, so check the current branch notice before travelling.