Soviet-era statues in Grūtas Park

Grūtas Park, located near Druskininkai in Lithuania is a socialist realism museum with a sculpture garden of Soviet-era statues and other Soviet ideological relics from the times of the Soviet occupation. It was founded in 2001 by the local businessman Viliumas Malinauskas. According to the official website of the museum «from 1989-91, during the restoration of Lithuanian independence, many ideologized monuments from the Soviet times were dismantled and, with the absence of any storage procedure, piled in storehouses and backyards, most frequently on the premises of utility companies. Thanks to such “preservation”, many monuments were damaged (some of them “suffered” during dismantling while others caught the eye of metal traders, etc.), and eventually could have been totally destroyed, as happened in the neighbouring republics. There were various opinions and proposals regarding the fate of the dismantled Soviet sculptures. Destroy? Preserve? Hesonos klubas public agency located in Grūtas near Druskininkai was the winner of the tender called by the Ministry of Culture in 1998 for the establishment of an exposition of dismantled monumental sculptures from the Soviet period. A strong argument for choosing this undertaking was that its manager, Viliumas Malinauskas, was planning to establish the exposition using private funds earned from his family’s mushroom and berry business without asking for financial support from the state. The project submitted for tender also stressed the importance of the new tourist site for the development of this region in Southern Lithuania. The work of preparing the exposition started in early 1999. Grūtas Park was officially opened on 1 April 2001.» The official website of the museum also makes a presentation of the aim of the outdoor exposure and the uniqueness of the exhibition: «Taking the “idols” off the pedestal, changing the location and status of the exhibiting of the monuments, and using a special exhibition technique and additional aids have substantially altered the ideological content of the monumental sculptures. The Grūtas Park exposition discloses the negative content of the Soviet ideology and its impact on the value system. The aim of this exposition is to provide an opportunity for Lithuanian people, visitors coming to our country as well as future generations to see the naked Soviet ideology which suppressed and hurt the spirit of our nation for many decades. To date, no other museum or cultural institution has endeavoured to collect or duly exhibit Soviet relics. In Grūtas Park, monumental sculptures are positioned in a 2 km-long exposition, where guard towers, fragments of concentration camps and other details resemble Siberia. Grūtas Park is situate on a 20 ha area, exhibiting 86 works by 46 authors. Such a large concentration of monuments and sculptures of ideological content in a single out-door exposition is a rare and maybe even unique phenomenon in the world.» These photos were taken in March 2025 and show most of the soviet-era stautes of Grütas Park.

Grūtas Park, Watch tower

Monument "for the fallen Soviet soldiers 1941-1945"

Monument "for the fallen Soviet soldiers 1941-1945"

"Memorial of Red Army soldiers" (Juozas Burneika, 1984), originally in Antakalnis cemetery in Vilnius, dismantled in 2022. Detail.

"Memorial of Red Army soldiers" (Juozas Burneika, 1984), originally in Antakalnis cemetery in Vilnius, dismantled in 2022. Detail.

"Memorial of Red Army soldiers" (Juozas Burneika, 1984), originally in Antakalnis cemetery in Vilnius, dismantled in 2022.

Monument "for the fallen Soviet soldiers 1941-1945", watch tower and "Memorial of Red Army soldiers" (Juozas Burneika, 1984)

Vladimir Lenin, bust.

Vladimir Lenin, bust.

Grūtas Park, entrance.

Grūtas Park, entrance.

Grūtas Park, entrance.

Z.Angerieti by A.Ambraziunas

Ignas Gaska (V.Krutinis, 1987)

J.Psevalskis (B.Bysniauskas, 1976), originally in Vilnius

Vladimir Lenin, bust.

S.Pauvsas by E.Jokubonyté.

Monument "Adomas Miká, 1888-1931".

Monument "Adomas Miká, 1888-1931".

Monument "Adomas Miká, 1888-1931".

Kryzalnio Motina (B.Vysnlauskas, 1972), originally in Kryzalnis Raseiniur.

"Russian Soldier" (A.Penkovas, 1947), originally in Siauliau.

"Russian Soldier" (A.Penkovas, 1947), originally in Siauliau.

"Soviet partisans and underground workers" (J. Kalinauskas and A. Zokaitis, 1983), originally in Vilnius.

"Soviet partisans and underground workers" (J. Kalinauskas and A. Zokaitis, 1983), originally in Vilnius.

"Soviet partisans and underground workers" (J. Kalinauskas and A. Zokaitis, 1983), originally in Vilnius.

"Soviet partisans and underground workers" (J. Kalinauskas and A. Zokaitis, 1983), originally in Vilnius.

Monument "In honor of the heroes 1941".

Monument "In honor of the heroes 1941".

Monument "In honor of the heroes 1941".

Monument "In honor of the heroes 1941".

Vladimir Lenin, bust.

Lev Trotsky, bust.

Joseph Stalin, bust.

Joseph Stalin, bust.

Busts of Vladimir Lenin, Lev Trotsky and Joseph Stalin.

Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, bas-relief.

Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, bas-relief. Busts of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin.

Vladimir Lenin, bust.

Vladimir Lenin, bas-relief.

Vladimir Lenin, statue. Detail.

Vladimir Lenin, statue. Detail.

Vladimir Lenin, statue.

Vladimir Lenin: statue, bas-relief and bust.

Vladimir Lenin, statue.

Karl Marx (L. Kerbelis, 1986), originally in Mazeikiai.

Karl Marx (L. Kerbelis, 1986), originally in Mazeikiai.

Vladimir Lenin (Gediminas Jokūbonis, 1983), originally in Panevezys.

Vladimir Lenin (Gediminas Jokūbonis, 1983), originally in Panevezys.

Joseph Stalin (Nikolai Tomsky, 1950). Originally in Vilnius, dismantled in 1961. Detail.

Joseph Stalin (Nikolai Tomsky, 1950). Originally in Vilnius, dismantled in 1961. Detail.

Joseph Stalin (Nikolai Tomsky, 1950). Originally in Vilnius, dismantled in 1961. Detail.

Joseph Stalin (Nikolai Tomsky, 1950). Originally in Vilnius, dismantled in 1961. Detail.

Joseph Stalin (Nikolai Tomsky, 1950). Originally in Vilnius, dismantled in 1961.

Joseph Stalin (Nikolai Tomsky, 1950). Originally in Vilnius, dismantled in 1961.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin and Vincas Kapsukas by K. Bogdanas, detail.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin and Vincas Kapsukas by K. Bogdanas, detail.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin and Vincas Kapsukas by K. Bogdanas, detail.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin and Vincas Kapsukas by K. Bogdanas.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin and Vincas Kapsukas by K. Bogdanas.

Vladimir Lenin (N. Tomskis, 1952), originally in Vilnius.

Vladimir Lenin, statue and busts .

Monument to the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League in Kaunas ( S. Sharapovas, 1979), originally in Kaunas.

Vladimir Lenin -statue and busts- and Monument to the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League in Kaunas.

F. Dzerzinskis (S. D. Merkurovas, 1930), originally in Kaunas.

F. Dzerzinskis (S. D. Merkurovas, 1930), originally in Kaunas.

Part of the Lenin sculptural ensemble (N. Petrulis, K. Svazas, J. Kedainis and R. Antinis, 1970), originally in Kauna.

Part of the Lenin sculptural ensemble (N. Petrulis, K. Svazas, J. Kedainis and R. Antinis, 1970), originally in Kauna.

Monument to Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas (J. Narusis, 1980), originally in Marijampolė.

Vladimir Lenin, statue.

Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas (Zuklys, 1958), originally in Kaunas.

Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas (Zuklys, 1958), originally in Kaunas.

Vladimir Lenin (G. Jokubonis, 1976), originally in Klaipeda. Detail.

Vladimir Lenin (G. Jokubonis, 1976), originally in Klaipeda. Detail.

Vladimir Lenin (G. Jokubonis, 1976), originally in Klaipeda.

Vladimir Lenin (G. Jokubonis, 1976), originally in Klaipeda.

Monument to Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas, detail.

Monument to Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas, detail.

Monument to Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas.

Monument to Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas, detail.

Monument to Feliksas Baltusis-Zemaitis (D. Lukosevicius, 1976), detail. Originally in Siauliai, dismantaled in 1990.

Monument to Feliksas Baltusis-Zemaitis (D. Lukosevicius, 1976), originally in Siauliai, dismantaled in 1990.

Monument to Feliksas Baltusis-Zemaitis (D. Lukosevicius, 1976), originally in Siauliai, dismantaled in 1990.

Monument to Feliksas Baltusis-Zemaitis (D. Lukosevicius, 1976), originally in Siauliai, dismantaled in 1990. Information plate.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin, detail.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin, detail.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin, detail.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin

Monument to Vladimir Lenin

V. Rekasius (L. Zuklis, 1961), originally in Plunge.

P. Eidukevičius (Napoleonas Petrulis, 1959), originally in Vilnius.

V. Rekasius (L. Zuklis, 1961) and P. Eidukevičius (Napoleonas Petrulis, 1959).

Monument to Karolis Didžiulis by Kamarauskas, originally in Joniskis. Detail.

Monument to Karolis Didžiulis by Kamarauskas, originally in Joniskis.

Monument to Karolis Didžiulis by Kamarauskas, originally in Joniskis. Detail.

Monument to Bronius Grigas (Donatas Lukoševičius and Aloyzas Toleikis, 1968), originally in Šiauliai. Detail.

Monument to Bronius Grigas (Donatas Lukoševičius and Aloyzas Toleikis, 1968), originally in Šiauliai.

Monument to Antanas Snieckus (G. Jokubonis, 1975), detail.

Monument to Antanas Snieckus (G. Jokubonis, 1975).

Monument to Antanas Snieckus (G. Jokubonis, 1975).

Monument to Eduardas Tickus (N. Petrulis, 1967), originally in Rokiskis. Detail.

Monument to Eduardas Tickus (N. Petrulis, 1967), originally in Rokiskis.

Monument to Eduardas Tickus (N. Petrulis, 1967), originally in Rokiskis.

M. Kozlovskis (N. Petrulis, 1976), originally in Vilnius.

M. Kozlovskis (N. Petrulis, 1976), originally in Vilnius.

Monument to K. Preiksas (N. Gaigalaité, 1978), originally in Siauliai.

Monument to K. Preiksas (N. Gaigalaité, 1978), originally in Siauliai.

Monument to Karolis Pozela (K. Svazas, 1971) originally in Prakuojis. Detail.

Monument to Karolis Pozela (K. Svazas, 1971) originally in Prakuojis.

Monument to L. Meskupas Adomas (L. Zuklys, 1976), originally in Ukmergé. Detail.

Monument to L. Meskupas Adomas (L. Zuklys, 1976), originally in Ukmergé. Detail.

Monument to L. Meskupas Adomas (L. Zuklys, 1976), originally in Ukmergé.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas. Detail.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas. Detail.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas. Detail.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas. Detail.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas. Detail.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas. Detail.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas. Detail.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas.

"Four_Communards" (Bronius Vyšniauskas and Napoleonas Petrulis, 1973), originally in Kaunas.

Marité Melnikaité (Juozas Mikénas, 1955), originally in Zarasai. Detail.

Marité Melnikaité (Juozas Mikénas, 1955), originally in Zarasai. Detail.

Marité Melnikaité (Juozas Mikénas, 1955), originally in Zarasai.

Marité Melnikaité (Juozas Mikénas, 1955), originally in Zarasai.

Monument to S. Greiciuth (M. Narburtas, 1966), originallly in Silale. Detail.

Monument to S. Greiciute (M. Narburtas, 1966), originallly in Silale.

Monument to S. Greiciute (M. Narburtas, 1966), originallly in Silale.

"1941-45_Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45_Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45_Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45_Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45_Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument.

Bas-relief panels of the Ivan Cherniajovski Monument (N. Tomskis, 1950), originally in Vilnius. Detail.

Bas-relief panels of the Ivan Cherniajovski Monument (N. Tomskis, 1950), originally in Vilnius. Detail.

Bas-relief panels of the Ivan Cherniajovski Monument (N. Tomskis, 1950), originally in Vilnius. Detail.

Bas-relief panels of the Ivan Cherniajovski Monument (N. Tomskis, 1950), originally in Vilnius.

Monument to Marité Melnikaité (R. Antinis, 1952), originally in Drskininkai.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia at the request of the Russian Federation" (2002), detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia at the request of the Russian Federation" (2002), detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia at the request of the Russian Federation" (2002), detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia at the request of the Russian Federation" (2002).

Monument to Vytautas Putna (G. Jokubonis, 1980), originally in Moletai. Detail.

Monument to Vytautas Putna (G. Jokubonis, 1980), originally in Moletai.

Monument to Vytautas Putna (G. Jokubonis, 1980), originally in Moletai.

Monument to J. Uboreccivius (P. Vaivada, 1974), originally in Utena.

Monument to J. Uboreccivius (P. Vaivada, 1974), originally in Utena.

Monument to Andrilius Andriulevicius Vincas (B. Zalensas), originally in Kaunas.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument. Detail.

"1941-45 Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers", monument.

A. Navickaité (Jossikelis Pasvolio, 1961-69)

"Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument. Detail.

"Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument.

"Eternal memory to the fallen Soviet soldiers", monument.

"Here, 48 members of the Kapoli Pozelas Anti-Fascist Underground Organization and 24 other activists died in the fight against the German occupiers from bourgeois nationalists", monument. Detail.

"...in the fight against the German occupiers...", monument. Detail.

"...in the fight against the German occupiers...", monument. Detail.

Monument to Juozas Aleksonis 1913-1944

"In this place in 1944, the Dainava Partisan Brigade was founded", monument.

"The 31st Army of the 3rd Belorussian Front was deployed in the Lazui district on 1 August 1944", monument.

"In this place, on June 25, 1882, one of the founders and leaders of the Lituanian people, Zigmas Angarietis, was born", monument.

Z. Aleksa-Angarietis (Pleskunas, 1962), originallly in Vilkaviškis.

Monument to Russia (M.Baburkinas)

Kopunstinskis, bust (Uspalis).

Kopunstinskis, bust (Uspalis).

Snieckus, bust (N.Petrulis). Originally in National Museum of Lithuania.

Snieckus, bust (N.Petrulis). Originally in National Museum of Lithuania.

M.Suamauskas, bust (author unknown).

M.Suamauskas, bust (author unknown).

Kazys Kisielis, monument (1961). Originally in the collective farm fields.

Kazys Kisielis, monument (1961). Originally in the collective farm fields.

Pulkininkas Kuranovas, bust (J. Narusevicius).

Pulkininkas Kuranovas, bust (J. Narusevicius).

Major Paltanavičius, bust (V.Uzpakis). Originally in the Lithuanian Art Museum.

Kaspijos Layvino Micmanas, bust (V. Rachmanovas). Originally in the Lithuanian Art Museum.

K. Pozela, bust ( K. Norkevičius)

K. Pozela, bust ( K. Norkevičius)

Ona Lipeikaitié Preskieniemé Zuvinikke, monument (1969)

Valdas Kanciauskas, Portrait of the Poet (Vytautas Montula, 1974)

Valdas Kanciauskas, Portrait of the Poet (Vytautas Montula, 1974)

Nijolé Gaigalaité, The Pigsitter of the Collective Farm (1961)

Nijolé Gaigalaité, The Pigsitter of the Collective Farm (1961)

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