Tradicinių amatų centras Arnetų name

About

Tradicinių Amatų Centre in the historic Arnetai House is one of Kėdainiai’s most charming cultural spaces, dedicated to preserving and reviving traditional Lithuanian craftsmanship. The building itself is a treasure: a restored 18th‑century townhouse in the Old Town, once home to merchants who shaped the city’s multicultural character. An interesting fact is that the centre was created not only as an exhibition venue but also as a working craft hub where artisans continue centuries‑old techniques. Inside, visitors can explore rooms filled with examples of weaving, pottery, candle‑making, woodcarving, and other folk crafts. Demonstrations allow guests to see how linen is spun, how clay takes shape on the wheel, or how beeswax candles are dipped by hand. The interior preserves the cosy atmosphere of an old merchant home, with wooden beams, brick floors, and period‑style furnishings that complement the craft displays. Workshops for children and adults make the centre lively throughout the year, turning it into a place where heritage is not only shown but actively practiced.

Kėdainiai Lithuania

Location

The Tradicinių amatų centras Arnetų name, or Arnett House Traditional Crafts Centre, is located in Kėdainiai Old Town on Radvilų Street. It occupies the historic 17th-century Arnett House, a former residence built by a Scottish merchant family who settled in Kėdainiai during its era as a major trading center. Today the building serves as a branch of the Kėdainiai Regional Museum, where visitors can watch artisans demonstrate traditional Lithuanian crafts such as weaving, pottery, and wood carving, and participate in workshops using authentic tools and techniques. The Centre sits in the heart of one of Lithuania’s best-preserved Old Towns, first mentioned in 1372. Directly across the street stands the Renaissance Evangelical Reformed Church, funded by the Radvila family in 1631, with the Mausoleum of the Dukes Radvila in its crypt. A short walk along Didžioji Street brings you to Great Market Square and the former Town Hall, surrounded by colorful 17th-century merchant houses. Nearby you’ll also find the Multicultural Centre in the former 19th-century “winter synagogue,” St. Joseph’s Church, an 18th-century wooden Jesuit church, and St. George’s Church, a 15th-century Gothic basilica. The Kėdainiai Regional Museum, housed in a former Carmelite monastery, is also close by, along with the Town Hall and the unique 19th-century minaret in City Park.