The Curonian Spit History Museum was opened in September 1969, in the building of Evangelical Lutheran church, the activities of which were suspended at that time. Its initial exhibit featured the history of the formation of the Curonian Spit, its residents, local crafts and nature. The museum was dismantled in 1989 after the church was returned to the Lutheran congregation.

The next phase of the museum was also transient: an exhibition of trades of inhabitants of the Curonian Spit was housed in rented premises between 1995 and 2002. In 2002, the museum moved to its current building on Pamario street in Nida.

The new exhibition shares stories about the traditions and peculiarities of the inhabitants of the Curonian Spit, such as hunting crows for food, fishing gear and several boat models. Artefacts include specific fishing sailboats kurėnas and kiudelvaltė. A mannequin performing bumbinimas, a specific art of fishing, is accompanied by an exhibit of under ice fishing, both distinctive to the Curonian region.

A selection of Curonian heritage windwanes is available for viewing. Spot the most impressive antiquity found in the museum that belonged to Nida’s post station owner Friedrich Casimir Kuwert - the original licence document to brew beer in his coaching inn from 1785. The museum further explores how Nida flourished as a significant route connecting Marienburg, Königsberg and Riga before the end of the 18th century and was visited by members of Europe’s high society, including King Frederick William III and Queen Louise of Prussia, the French philosopher Denis Diderot, etc. The documents, photographs and maps tell the visitors about the European post road which ran along the Curonian Spit from the mid-17th century to 1833.

Original Stone Age finds form an exciting part of the exhibition, including a fragment of an excavated wooden boat, pottery and stone axes, discovered during archaeological excavations near Parnidis’ dune in 1974–1978.

Check the museum’s schedule for additional temporary exhibitions, workshops, lectures, gatherings and book signing events.

Ticket prices:

Adults – 2 Eur
Pupils, students – 1,00 Eur