Cat Museum

Imagine a place where literally every inch of space is dedicated to graceful purring friends—from tiny amber figurines to massive, colorful stained-glass windows. The famous Cats Museum, located in the city of Šiauliai, is the only institution of its kind in Lithuania and is considered one of the largest in the world.

Cat Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Founded in 1990 based on the private collection of Vanda Kavaliauskienė, the museum now boasts more than 10,000 exhibits. It features items made of porcelain, crystal, wood, marble, and even precious metals, brought from dozens of countries—from neighboring Poland to distant China and Australia. Cats are everywhere here: in paintings, on stamps, tableware, furniture, and even in the form of a sundial.

However, the main highlight of the museum is that its exhibition is "alive." Visitors are greeted by real-life fluffy "directors" who are more than happy to be petted. This is a wonderfully warm and cozy space that will interest not only professional felinologists but anyone who appreciates kind and unusual tourism.

For more information about visiting or organizing group tours, you can use the official communication channels. The museum is open for inquiries and is always happy to welcome new guests who share a love for animals.

A true visual feast awaits you in the museum halls: you can spend hours examining the detailed figurines, including elegant lovers from France and a whimsical cat-clock from England. Pay attention to the custom stained-glass windows and drawings even on the ceiling—the cat theme here is meticulously thought out. Be sure to find the collection of poems and look at the bookplates (ex-libris) dedicated to whiskered pets.

The main "attraction" for many is the live residents. Several well-groomed and very affectionate cats are always in the halls, accompanying guests and demanding their share of attention. In addition to them, the building houses a nature corner (mini-zoo) where you can see exotic animals: from majestic pythons and iguanas to playful chinchillas and a small monkey, which visitors are sometimes allowed to feed with seeds.

For those seeking modern technology, the museum offers bonuses like a virtual reality headset. This place is perfect for a family holiday: children are delighted by the opportunity to pet the animals, while adults can immerse themselves in the aesthetic diversity of a collection gathered from all over the world.

Finding this unusual spot is quite simple—it is located in the northern part of the city at Žuvininkų g. 18. Since Šiauliai is a major transport hub, it is easily accessible by train or bus from Vilnius, Kaunas, or neighboring Riga.

If you are already in the city center, a taxi ride to the museum will take about 10–15 minutes. For those who enjoy walking, the route from the center is approximately 2–3 kilometers through pleasant residential neighborhoods. You can also take local buses heading toward the Young Naturalists' Center.

For travelers arriving by private or rental car, there is convenient parking next to the building. GPS coordinates will help you stay on track and quickly arrive at the doors, where the four-legged "owners" of the establishment await their guests.

The history of this remarkable collection began in 1962 with a single small figurine—a black kitten with a yellow ribbon brought from Poland. Its owner, Vanda Kavaliauskienė, became so passionate about collecting that eventually, her apartment could no longer hold the thousands of exhibits. As a result, on May 17, 1990, the Cats Museum officially opened at the Young Naturalists' Center.

Over the decades, the collection has grown to over 10,000 items. Gifts have poured in from all corners of the planet, from delicate English porcelain to exotic figurines from Africa and Mexico. A special place in the museum's history belongs to Irena Aleknienė, a pharmacist from Panevėžys, who donated more than 4,000 poems dedicated to these graceful pets.

One of the most charming traditions of the establishment is the "appointment" of a furry director. At various times, cats named Filomena, Mikas, and Perlas have held this responsible position. They didn't just live in the halls; they "inspected" the exhibition, creating a unique sense of comfort and delighting visitors with their presence.

To leisurely browse the thousands of figurines, study the themed stained-glass windows, and read the funny poems, most tourists need between 1 and 1.5 hours. This is enough time to walk through the three main halls and soak in the atmosphere of the "cat kingdom."

If you also plan to visit the mini-zoo with its exotic inhabitants and spend some time interacting with the live cats, it’s worth setting aside about 2 hours for your visit. This is especially relevant for families with children, who will surely want to observe the animals for a bit longer.

When planning your visit, please note that the museum follows a standard schedule for the city's cultural institutions. Mondays and Sundays are days off.

Current opening hours:

• Tuesday — Friday: 09:00 to 17:00;
• Saturday: 09:00 to 16:00;
• Monday, Sunday: Closed.

Exploring the surrounding area after visiting the feline residents can greatly enrich your trip. The neighborhood around the museum offers several interesting locations where you can continue your walk or learn about local history and culture.

Nearby, you'll find both memorial sites and areas for active recreation, allowing you to create a full-day itinerary.