Grūtas Park

Visitors expecting to see many remains from soviet times are often disappointed in the former soviet republics, since most of the statues and monuments are long since removed from public areas. In Lithuania however, one collector has gathered a large selection on monuments and other memorabilia from soviet times in a sort of totalitarian theme park. Although much criticized for displaying sculptures of Josef Stalin (body count in excess of 50 million) and other soviet dignitaries with blood on their hands, this is still a nice place to go for excursions.




Grutas Park. Located in the middle of nowhere, but allegedly close to Druskininkai 

The original plans of transporting visitors around the park in authentic gulag railway carts (seen in the background) were as far as I know never realized, but I find the idea to be an interesting approach. Insensitive and in poor taste of course, but then again so were the deportations and many other aspects of the Stalin era as well. It seems however that the world is not ready for such unorthodox approaches to some of the more difficult parts of recent history. On the other hand, the park did win some recognition for its main intention through being rewarded the Ig Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. A prize that honours achievements that “first make people laugh, and then make them think”.

 

 

 

 

The park has a little bit of everything. In addition to all the statues and other monuments, there is also a small zoo (with a very bored camel), playground for children, gift shop and a restaurant serving meals fit for the proletariat. I would personally recommend this workers dinner:

 



Authentic food, served with authentic cutlery. Knife not needed.

 

 

There is even an outdoor arena and a clubhouse with authentic furniture from one of the soviet councils, complete with mannequins dressed up as Komsomol members. The area itself is fenced in with barbed wire, and guard towers are scattered throughout the park. Many of the play music through horn type loudspeakers.

 

 

 

 

What zoo animals, communist statues, outdoor arenas and canary birds have in common is not necessarily self-evident to visitors, but that seems to be beside the point. When you are rich enough to create your own theme park you don`t have to bother with such trifles as making sure that there is a deeper meaning to everything you have on display in your park. Most of us would create the type of park that we ourselves would like to visit, and that seems to be what the owner has done in this case. Even to the extent, that he built a kick ass house for himself directly next to the park.

 

And I am inclined to agree with him - there is no reason why you can`t combine communist relics and commemoration of genocide with ostriches, parrots, a good meal and a good laugh.  

All in all this is probably the most original tourist attraction in Lithuania. Well worth the detour.

Rated: Must see