It’s in Kaunas that you find the world’s only devil museum

Devil Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania

There’s something unnerving about being alone with 2000 devils…

Velniu Muziejus contains three floors, and a stunning array of devils in all shapes, sizes, colours and materials and hailing from all corners of the globe, is spread over them. The museum has a long-standing tradition: any visitors from foreign lands can bring their own native devil art to add to the collection, making for some interesting viewing.

Before deciding to visit the museum you should know that this museum has no relations to Satanism, even priests dear to visit it.

Lithuania’s strong pagan heritage included the perception that also the devil is a part of the world and, in some cases – a personification of natural forces. Lithuanians and some other neighbouring nations believed that the devil has a strange sense of humour and that one had to be shrewd if to overcome him. However, not all managed to do this and some pieces of the collection are good illustrations of what then could happen. The museum contains numerous artistic works created for the sake of art, but also household items which had practical use.

The collection also contains pieces representing other cultures as all visitors may contribute by donating a devil from their country (Photo: www.7seasons.lt)

Each year more than 30 000 people visit this unique museum that was initiated by painter Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1876-1966). The museum was established in his house after his death, but later moved to a special building.