9 Weird Facts About Lithuanian Cities: Netflix’s Set And Devil’s Museum
The latest Lithuania tourism campaign promotes an opportunity to stay longer in the country, compensating visitors’ third-night stay.
To showcase the diversity of attractions and experiences this travel destination has to offer, the country’s national tourism development agency has put together a list of less-known facts about Lithuania.
In an attempt to become the go-to destination for a quick getaway, Lithuania promotes the opportunity to stay longer in the country by compensating visitors’ third-night stay. Aside from being known for its stunning natural landscapes and off-the-wall tourism campaigns, there are many bizarre unheard-of things about Lithuania’s biggest cities that distinguish the country as a unique travel destination.
Lithuania Travel—the country’s national tourism development agency—has compiled a list of the top 9 unknown facts about Lithuania’s cities: Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda.
1. It takes less than 2,000 steps to explore Vilnius
As the entire country is rather small, so are the individual cities. For example, it only takes 1,969 steps to explore the main sightseeing attractions of the country’s capital Vilnius. The number might seem small, but Vilnius’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of the easiest to explore on foot in Europe. That is why even the shortest afternoon stroll in Vilnius is packed with rich and colorful history, astonishing Baroque architecture, green parks, and artistic spaces.
2. Part of the capital is buried underground
Under the streets of Vilnius Old Town, there is a hidden underground world. The basement of the Vilnius Cathedral is the burial place of famous rulers and nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as well as the former bishops of the cathedral. Today, the modern exposition gives visitors an opportunity to explore the ancient Lithuanian burial traditions, see the excavations found during archaeological research, and learn about the history of the building itself.
3. Vilnius is home to the set of Netflix’s Stranger Things
Lukiškės Prison, one of the most notorious facilities located at the center of Vilnius, has been repurposed into a cultural space after being closed down as a prison since 2019. The century-old prison—which has attained global recognition as a shooting location for Netflix’s Stranger Things—has now been repurposed to host cultural activities, concerts, festivals, and exclusive educational tours for at least two years. Today, the new entertainment hub, titled “Lukiškės Prison 2.0,” has given around 250 local artists an opportunity to resume their creative pursuits and amuse Vilnius’ locals and visitors with a spectrum of cultural experiences.
4. Kaunas has HBO’s Chernobyl-featured collection of war relics housed in a nuclear shelter
The collection of Atomic Bunker gives Kaunas’ visitors a chance to explore impressive Cold War artifacts, weapons, unique equipment of the KGB, authentically equipped interrogation rooms accompanied by stories revealing how the oppressive Soviet system functioned in Lithuania. The private museum’s collection is not only recognized by international experts but has also been featured in the famous HBO series Chernobyl.
5. Kaunas is home to The Devil’s Museum
The Devil’s Museum in Kaunas—which has been listed among the most unique museums in the world—houses somewhere around 3,000 horned exhibits from all over the globe: pieces of visual arts and crafts, souvenirs, masks, and more. This exhibition gives the city’s visitors an opportunity to take a closer look at the mysterious mythological creature and how it is depicted in as many as 70 countries of the world.
6. Kaunas offers an opportunity to dine in an active monastery
Pažaislis Monastery— a genuine baroque gem from the 17th century—was built by the affluent, influential and religious Pacas family. Located at the monastery, Monte Pacis, a unique dining and hospitality complex, invites visitors to experience a contemporary interpretation of historical dishes. Spiced with the culinary insights and creative secrets of the monks, the dishes are made from locally grown products. Today, it is known as one of the most visited tourist attractions in Kaunas.
7. Klaipėda has unique historical ties with the German Empire
While Klaipėda is known for preserving traditional Lithuanian culture, there is a distinctly German flavor to it. Lithuania’s third-largest city—formerly known as Memel—was part of the Prussian Kingdom (and at one point in time its capital) until the region regained its autonomy in 1923. Buildings in the compact Old Town, such as the Old Mill Hotel, are constructed in the German fachwerk style. That is, with distinctive half-timbered facades.
8. Klaipėda’s visitors can explore the city’s Old Town via an escape-room-like game
“The lost Klaipėda” is an interactive smartphone game in which the city’s visitors are invited to actively participate. This virtual guide leads the participants through the city solving its mysteries and turning the pages of the city’s history, throughout the 2.5 km long route in the Old Town of Klaipėda.
9. Klaipėda is known for its one-of-a-kind deep-fried cheese sticks
Senamiesčio piršteliai (the “Old Town Fingers”) are a must-try snack of Klaipėda. Though the name may not describe their uniqueness, the competitors have not been able to recreate anything similar. Crispy, chewy, and delicious, the fingers have gained so much popularity that more than half of the visitors coming to the “Old Town Bar”—where the snack is served originally—have been ordering them here for more than 20 years.
About Lithuania Travel
Lithuania Travel is a national tourism development agency responsible for Lithuania’s tourism marketing and promotion, acting under the Ministry of Economy and Innovation. Its strategic goal is to raise awareness of Lithuania as an attractive tourism destination and encourage inbound and domestic travel. The agency closely collaborates with tourism businesses and organizations, presents Lithuanian tourism products, services, and experiences on social and digital media, press trips, international travel exhibitions, and B2B events.
