Museum of Ethnocosmology

Perched on a hill near Molėtai in Lithuania's lake district, the Museum of Ethnocosmology is one of Europe's most unusual museums. Its striking modern architecture — a futuristic glass and metal structure — houses exhibitions exploring how different cultures throughout history have understood and related to the cosmos. The museum combines science with mythology, exploring everything from ancient Lithuanian astronomical traditions and pagan celestial observations to modern astrophysics. The exhibitions cover how stars were used for navigation, how mythologies explained celestial phenomena, and how modern telescopes have expanded our understanding of the universe. The highlight for many visitors is the observatory, equipped with a powerful telescope that allows visitors to observe the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects during evening sessions. The museum's rural location, far from city lights, provides excellent stargazing conditions. On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible in all its glory — a rare sight in modern Europe.