Several Stalins and loads of Lenins litter this bizarre, mildly controversial and as some have pointed out anti-Semitic outdoor sculpture park and information centre less than 10km north of Druskininkai just off the main road to Vilnius. The brainchild of local mushroom millionaire Viliumas Malinauskas, gaze upon row after row of retired communist sculptures, collected en mass from their former positions of importance throughout Lithuania, and take a look inside the park’s purpose-built wooden shacks which hide some wonderful examples of Soviet art and propaganda. A small zoo is also thoughtfully provided so the wild boar in the cages can bite off the little children's fingers, and if you're hungry there's a restaurant too. Designed to show the negative side of the Soviet occupation, one does have to wonder where all the money goes. It’s certainly not being used to help overthrow Europe’s last great dictatorship a few kilometres away in Belarus. Like it or loathe it, Grūto Parkas is unique, and an essential part of any visit to the area if not Lithuania itself. The statue of a seated Lenin once graced the centre of Druskininkai and was one of only three ever made of the great man sat on his behind. Well signposted, find it less than 1km from the main Vilnius-Druskininkai road. Buses run regularly from the capital to the turn off. Local bus Nº2 runs all the way to the park from the front of Druskininkai’s bus station.
Admission 20/10Lt.
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Fascinating but mildly disturbing is it condeming or celebrating ?. Perhaps some of the English translation generates this dichotomy Where has the music gone? It would have added to the atmosphere on a grey humid morningGood playground for children the zoo not up to western standards concerned about the brown bear that was pacing along the front of the cageIf in Druskininkae area don't miss it but expect to come away with mixed feelings