Lithuania Vilnius Vilnius Museum

Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights

About

The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius, formerly known as the Museum of Genocide Victims, is housed in the former KGB headquarters and offers a sobering look into Lithuania’s 20th-century struggles under Soviet and Nazi regimes. Established in 1992, the museum documents the repression, deportations, and resistance movements that shaped the nation’s modern history. Visitors can explore original prison cells, interrogation rooms, and execution chambers preserved in their authentic state, alongside exhibitions detailing the Sovietisation of Lithuania, the partisan resistance, and the fate of political prisoners. The museum also highlights the broader context of totalitarian control, with displays of propaganda, surveillance equipment, and personal testimonies. Located on Aukų Street near Lukiškės Square, it is the only museum of its kind in the Baltic States and serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Lithuanian people. Its immersive exhibits and historical setting make it a compelling destination for those seeking to understand the cost of freedom.

Vilnius Lithuania

Location

The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, often referred to as the KGB Museum, is located at Aukų g. 2A in Vilnius, just west of the Old Town and directly across from Lukiškės Square. Housed in the former headquarters of the Soviet KGB and previously the Gestapo, the museum occupies a building steeped in history, where Soviet security agencies operated from 1940 to 1991. The museum’s exhibitions span three floors, including preserved prison cells and execution chambers in the basement, offering a powerful insight into Lithuania’s experience under Soviet and Nazi occupations, the resistance of Lithuanian partisans, and the suffering of political prisoners. Nearby, visitors can easily access the vibrant Lukiškės Square, a major public space in Vilnius, as well as Gediminas Avenue, the city’s main boulevard lined with shops, cafés, and cultural venues. The museum’s central location also places it within walking distance of Vilnius Old Town, the Parliament building, and several other historical and cultural landmarks, making it a significant and accessible stop for those exploring the city’s complex past and present.