Museum of Clocks

About

The Museum of Clocks in Klaipėda is a charming and unexpectedly engaging destination, housed in a 19th‑century villa that perfectly complements its theme. Dedicated to the history of timekeeping, it showcases how clocks evolved from simple mechanical devices to intricate works of art. The museum is known for its unusually rich collection, featuring pieces from across Europe and beyond. Inside, visitors can explore rooms filled with grandfather clocks, ornate wall clocks, delicate pocket watches and early alarm mechanisms. One of the most interesting highlights is the exhibition of tower clock mechanisms, where massive gears and iron structures reveal the engineering behind public timekeeping. Another standout is the collection of sundials and early scientific instruments, offering a glimpse into how people measured time long before modern technology. The museum also presents beautifully crafted 18th‑ and 19th‑century clocks decorated with carvings, gilding and miniature paintings. Demonstrations of moving mechanisms help visitors understand how these devices functioned, making the experience both educational and visually captivating.

Klaipėda Lithuania

Location

The Museum of Clocks is located in the Old Town of Klaipėda, in western Lithuania. It’s housed in a restored 19th-century building on Liepų Street and is a branch of the Lithuanian Art Museum. Established in 1984, it’s one of the few museums in Europe dedicated entirely to timekeeping. The collection traces the history of clocks from ancient sundials and water clocks to intricate mechanical, tower, and modern designs. You’ll find Renaissance clocks, Baroque pocket watches, grandfather clocks, and unique timepieces made by Lithuanian and foreign masters. The courtyard has a floral clock and a sundial park, while the top floor explains the physics of time. Temporary exhibitions often feature art and design related to time. The museum is in the heart of Klaipėda’s Old Town, so it’s an easy walk to Theatre Square with the Ännchen von Tharau fountain and rows of German-style fachwerk houses. The Castle Museum and Klaipėda Castle remains are about 10 minutes away, right by the Danė River. Nearby you can also visit the Blacksmith’s Museum, the Meridianas sailing ship, and the Old Port. From the ferry terminal, take a short ride to Smiltynė on the Curonian Spit to see the Lithuanian Sea Museum, Dolphinarium, and beaches of the national park. The clock theme makes this museum a unique stop when exploring Klaipėda’s maritime and cultural sights.