Ethnographical Farmstead and the Ancient Observatory of Celestial Bodies (division of Molėtai Area Museum)
Expositions
When driving the cosy road on the picturesque shore of Lenktinis Lake, you will reach the Ethnographical Farmstead, which is a traditional cottage typical for the Highlands. Here you will see the remaining buildings of an old ethnographic farmstead: a cellar and a barn. A traditional two-sided farmhouse was also built near them. Right by the Ethnographical Farmstead there is an Observatory of Celestial Bodies – a sacred place. Prepare to go back to the ancient times and get acquainted with the pagan customs. In the middle of the circle of ten wooden poles with calendar signs of the shrine, a stone sun-fire altar was mounted. The poles mark six countries of the world and the azimuths of the rising and setting sun on the days of the most important calendar festivals.
In the Ethnographical Farmstead and Observatory of Celestial Bodies, you will get to know how our ancestors had observed the celestial bodies, how they were guessing about the weather and the hosting ethnologist J. Vaiškūnas is ready to tell about the pagan worldview of our ancestors, about the astronomical knowledge of the ancient Lithuanians and the old Lithuanian zodiac. In fact, the ancient observatories of the celestial bodies were meant not only to observe the celestial bodies, but also to perform traditional religious ceremonies.
Every last weekend of April, an ancient Lithuanian celebration of the first greenery, called Jorė is celebrated here. The celebration is commemorated here every year, since 1997. Jorė is a time when the life arose for new prosperity after the winter. This is a short period, when the buds of deciduous trees burst out and all of the nature is covered with light green “jorė” – the first greenery of the spring. On those days, everyone needs to find time to stay surrounded by the reviving nature as long as possible. Everyone who wants to join the spring resurrection of life and nature and to gain strength from the awakening nature for the whole year is invited to come to the feast of Jorė.
Ethnographical Farmstead constantly organises various exhibitions, implements educational programmes, where you can get acquainted with traditional crafts and their importance in the today’s world. The visitors are invited to learn felting wool, knot thatched gardens and organize the calendar celebrations and ceremonies.
After coming here, you will not only get acquainted with the worldview and customs of our ancestors, but will also be able to enjoy a beautiful landscape and nature.