alytus local lore museum

Contacts
Address: Savanorių g. 6, LT-62142, Alytus.
Tel.: (+370 ~ 315) 51 990, (+370 ~ 315) 73 505, (+370 ~ 315) 51 086.
Fax (+370 ~ 315) 51 990.
E-mail: direktorius@alytausmuziejus.lt
Director – Audronė Jakunskienė.
http://www.alytausmuziejus.lt
http://www.alytausmuziejus.lt/matutis
http://www.alytausmuziejus.lt/jonynas

Information for Visitor

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 9–18.

Admission:
Adults – 3 Lt;
Pupils and students – 2 Lt.
Guided tours – 30 Lt.

Collection
The museum contains archaeological finds, ethnographic exhibits, printed matter, photographs, and a rich collection of numismatic.
More than 52 000 displays dating from the period of Neolithic till 1999 are kept in the museum. This is historical, ethnographic, archaeological material having got into the museum from the districts of the South Lithuania: Alytus, Varena, Lazdijai, and Druskininkai.

Exposition

Material and Spiritual Culture of the Land of Dainava
Everything touched upon by a kind-hearted and diligent dzūkas’ hands and various other interesting and valuable displays are fixed in finds of the Stone age, textile from Dzūkija made up to the World War II.

Homestead of a Peasant from Dzukija of the Beginning of the 20th Century
Exposition space extended in a huge panoramic photograph by Vytautas Stanionis is divided into a yard and a dwelling house. A “modest“ life is displayed where all things – from a cart without a nail to dough-trough stove – breathe Dzūkai’ warm-heartiness. 

Life on both sides of the river Nemunas. Historical records of Alytus in various archives, library and museum documents
The first historical record of Alytus dates back to 1377, when it was mentioned in the chronicles of Wigand of Marburg, which depicted the Teutonic crusade in Merkinė and Alytus. Since then Alytus went through the stages of development, prosperity and decline – at first the town was independent, later the territory of Alytus was divided and governed by different countries and finally the town was reunited and became an educational, industrial and administrative centre.
The exposition reflects the important stages of Alytus’ existence. For the first time various documents from the 14th–20th c. have been collected and presented in one exhibition. The displayed collection consists of documents from the 16th–20th c. from various archives and libraries: the Lithuanian State Historical Archives, the Lithuanian Central State Archives, the Alytus District Archives, the Lithuanian Special Archives, the Archives of the Institute of Architecture and Construction, the collections of Alytus Regional Museum, the Science Academy Library and Vilnius University Library. Moreover, the exposition includes documents, maps, photographs, video material and etc.

Stationary exhibitions

Weaving and Textile
Tools for processing flax, weaving loom, chests and textile colored in Dzūkai manner – everything what was woven, invented, told by Dzūkai.

The Man and the Iron

Exhibitions
Exhibitions of art, folk-art, photography and thematic exhibitions from the stock of the museum are organized.

Cultural, educational activity
Many educational studies on history, trades and crafts, calendar holidays have been organized. They are constantly renewed and supplemented. Teachers of the district are acquainted with them during conferences and seminars;
Organization of conferences;
Organization of meetings;
Organization of different actions;
Organization of concerts of chamber music;
Once a month evening of chamber music with artists of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society take place in the museum.

Branch Museums
Antanas Jonynas Museum
Address: A. Matučio g. 8, LT-62142, Alytus.
Tel. (+370 ~ 315) 53 172.
More about the Museum >

Anzelmas Matutis Children’s Literature Museum
Address: Liškiavos g. 17, Alytus.
Tel. (+370 ~ 315) 52 151.
More about tthe

Gallery "Skrydis"
Address: 13 Vilniaus St, Alytus.
Tel. (+370 ~ 315) 51 167.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8–17.
Admission: Adults – 2 Lt; Pupils and students – 1 Lt.

History of the Museum
In 1928 intellectuals of Alytus City (priests K. Paulavičius, P. Baltrušaitis, teachers S. Slavėnas, V. Jakučionis, doctor S. Janavičius, office-worker R. Adžiauskas) registered a society for investigation of the nation’s past - a museum of Alytus. The museum was established in high forestry school of Alytus. The museum served for forester training.
In 1935 the Museum of Alytus was joint to Dzūkai ethnographic society and given a name of Dzūkai museum.
In 1936 the museum was moved to more spacious premises in Vilnius Street.
In 1947 Dzūkai museum became Alytus ethnographic museum.
In 1957–1976 under the leadership of dr. A. Lizdenis permanent expositions were arranged, folk art exhibitions organized.
1976–1988 is a period of endless repairs and constructions.
Since 1988 Alytus ethnographic museum functions in the old Jewish school.
The museum was founded in 1935 on the initiative of Dzūkai ethnographic society.
Founder of the Museum – City Council of Alytus.