What to see in Siauliai?
Siauliai is a city famous for its museums, promenades, and other attractions immersing one in the rich culture and history of both the city and Lithuania. In Siauliai, you will find numerous museums getting one acquainted with how people lived in the past and discovering many other curious sights. Here are a few objects that we recommend including in the Siauliai tourist to-do list.
1. “Rūta” chocolate museum and factory
Rūta is a chocolate factory with a rich history. A fascinating tour awaits you at the museum: you will learn how chocolate emerged and turned into one of people’s favorite delicacies. Also, you will be introduced to the process of making chocolate and the secrets of its taste. The exposition explores the history of the factory, even samples of all the sweets wrappers made by Rūta have been carefully preserved here. And, of course, the museum offers chocolate-making workshops, which are especially appealing to children.
2. Cat Museum
This might be the cutest museum not only in Siauliai, but throughout the Baltics. The museum has an extensive collection of cats, and guests are greeted by real cats one may pet. The exposition includes figurines of cats made of glass, wood, and other materials, paintings, and handmade exhibits. ‘Cats’ arrived at the museum from different parts of the world, starting from Europe and finishing with Brazil. The museum also has a small terrarium with iguanas and several species of parrots one of them even knowing how to say ‘hello’ in Lithuanian.
3. Siauliai boulevard
One of the main attractions of Siauliai is the city boulevard. Opened in 1975, it was the very first boulevard in the USSR and Lithuania and the third in Europe. Today it is the most popular place for walking and shopping. The boulevard is also loved by artists – every year it is decorated with new elements. The boulevard embraces a favorite meeting point for locals, the rooster clock. Along the boulevard, you will find more than 50 objects, including museums, monuments, and other attractions.
4. “Iron Fox” sculpture and the coast of Lake Talkšos
There are many interesting objects near Lake Talkšos. A nature trail leading to the cat museum starts here and in summer, one may visit the local water amusement park. On the shore of the lake, you will find the largest sculpture of an animal in Lithuania: an iron fox, which weighs about 7 tons. Inside the fox, there is a tablet with a message to posterity. The sculpture is dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of Lithuania.
5. Museum of Photography
This is the only museum in Lithuania devoted to photography. Recently renovated, it features an updated exhibition exploring the history of photography. Exhibitions of both Lithuanian and foreign photographers are regularly held here. There is a camera obscura on the roof of the museum, allowing one to literally go inside the camera. After this thrilling experience, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Siauliai on the terrace.
6. Room of cents
The library of the Šiauliai Academy of Vilnius University houses a truly unique object: a room made of cents. The walls of the room are lined with a total of 157,130 coins. The room was created by the residents of the city: preschoolers, schoolchildren, and students as well as representatives of various organizations. Thus, the inhabitants of Siauliai and all of Lithuania paid tribute to the Lithuanian currency – litas – after the transition to the euro.
7. House-Museum of the Venclavski family
The so-called ‘white house’ used to belong to the Venclavski family. These were incredible people: Kazimir, being a lawyer, helped free those in need. During World War II, his wife Stanislava saved many Jewish children in the basement of the house. Today, the Venclavski house tells not only the history of the family but also the history of the life of Lithuanians in the 20th century. The building has been restored with great love, and all the wall paintings and pieces of the original painting have been preserved.
8. Railway Museum
The Railway Museum is a great place for families with children. Here, you will find real old steam locomotives and an interesting tour unveiling the history of the development of the railway. The favorite exhibit of young visitors is a large model with working toy trains. Please note that the museum is open only on weekdays.
Siauliai, Lithuania
