Some of the world’s first museums opened as outdoor recreations of the past. King Oscar II’s collection of ten buildings showing the evolution of traditional Norwegian building types was the world’s first open-air museum when it opened in 1881. It still exists in pretty much the same form as part of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. Probably one of the strangest outdoor museums is Grūtas Park, right outside Lithuania’s capital city of Vilnius, in which nearly a hundred different statues of Soviet political leaders are situated next to the park’s wooden trails. Unofficially known as Stalin’s World (kind of like Disney World’s evil cousin), it started after Lithuania regained its independence in 1990 and various Soviet statues were taken down and dumped in different places. To authentically recreate the atmosphere of a true Siberian concentration camp (even though this isn’t located in Siberia), there’s also a watchtower, trench and barbed wire fence. And in order to complete the overall experience for a family day out, visitors can enjoy a typical Soviet meal, the mushroom based food courses are commonly known as Gulag food. The park also contains playgrounds, a mini-zoo and cafes, all containing relics of the Soviet era. Take the kiddies to a former Communist playground. Or better yet…send the Tea Party.
Grūtas Park, Lithuania
