Astronaut Mural of Kaunas

On the side of a typical Soviet-era apartment block in Kaunas, a massive mural depicts a cosmonaut floating in space, helmet reflecting an unknown world. This striking piece of street art has become one of Kaunas's most photographed landmarks and a symbol of the city's remarkable cultural renaissance. The mural was created as part of Kaunas's vibrant street art movement, which has transformed dozens of grey Soviet-era buildings into colorful canvases. The astronaut motif resonates on multiple levels — it represents Lithuania's aspirations beyond its Soviet past, the city's ambition as European Capital of Culture 2022, and the universal human desire to explore the unknown. Kaunas has one of the most impressive collections of street art in the Baltic states, and the Astronaut Mural is its crown jewel. The contrast between the cosmic imagery and the mundane apartment block backdrop creates a powerful visual statement about transformation and imagination.