Grutas Park (Gruto Parkas)
Druskininkai, 66441
When Lithuania declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Soviet monuments were destroyed throughout the country. Grutas Park was founded in 2001 by a local entrepreneur to preserve some of them. This Soviet theme park is not without controversy, as it includes recreations of Soviet prison camps and communist memorabilia.
The basics
Visit Grutas Park on a private sightseeing tour from Vilnius or as part of a full-day tour of southern Lithuania sights that might include the traditional village of Zervynos and Dzūkija National Park. You can also tour the park with an audio guide or wander the park’s outdoor sculpture gardens, museums, and information center on your own. An on-site café serves dishes with Lithuanian and Soviet influences.
Things to know before you go
Grutas Park is a must-see for Soviet-era history buffs.
Visiting Grutas Park requires an entrance fee, and tickets can be purchased ahead of time online to avoid waiting at the gate.
Discounted admission tickets are available for children under 16, and children under 6 are free.
Grutas Park is wheelchair accessible, although some statues may only be accessible via unpaved paths.
How to get there
Grutas Park is located near the city of Druskininkai, about 78 miles (125 kilometers) southwest of Vilnius. The easiest way to visit the park is on a tour of southern Lithuania attractions or via a rental car. It is possible to visit Grutas Park on public transportation from Vilnius or Kaunas, but travel time can be lengthy and multiple transfers are necessary.
When to get there
The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm in winter and 9am until 10pm the rest of the year. The park is a bit off the tourist trail so it is rarely crowded, although weekends tend to be busier.
Grutas Park statues
The park features more than 80 statues including sculptures of the main Communist leaders, such as Lenin, Stalin, and Marx, as well as leaders of the Lithuanian Communist Party and officers of the Red Army. The park also contains several remnants of concentration camps including guard towers and barbed-wire fences.
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