The museum was founded in 1978 by the agronomist Petras Vasinauskas.
It preserves the endangered Žemaitukas horse breed, which is one of the oldest in Europe.
The site features a traditional 'aukštaičiai' homestead typical of eastern Lithuania.
The museum grounds include an ethnographical craft center where visitors can try wood carving and weaving.
It hosts an annual 'Bėk bėk, žirgeli' festival, one of the most prominent horse culture events in the country.
The collection includes rare 19th-century agricultural tools used throughout the Baltic region.
The museum sits directly on the banks of the Šventoji River.
Many of the original farm buildings were relocated to the site to recreate a 19th-century village atmosphere.
The Horse Museum in Niūronys is the only museum in Lithuania dedicated to the cultural, historical, and economic significance of the horse. Located within the Anykščiai Regional Park, it occupies a former manor landscape consisting of several traditional timber buildings. The exhibits document the evolution of horse-drawn agriculture, transport, and the role of horses in the Lithuanian military and sporting traditions. Visitors can observe a collection of historical carriages, sleighs, and blacksmithing tools. The museum grounds include an active stable where visitors can interact with various breeds of horses. It functions as a living museum, often hosting demonstrations of traditional crafts and equestrian sports. The site emphasizes the connection between the region's rural heritage and the evolution of the Lithuanian breed of horses, known as Žemaitukas.
The wooden footbridge overlooking the Šventoji River with the museum's traditional timber farmhouses in the background.
Schedule your visit during a weekend to ensure horse-riding activities are available.
Check the weather before arriving as most of the museum’s exhibits are located across open-air grounds.
Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for gravel paths and grassy terrain.
Do not attempt to pet horses without supervision, as the museum grounds house both working and young animals.
Closed on Mondays. Open-air exhibits are best accessed between May and September.
Maintain a quiet demeanor around horses and do not feed the animals without permission from staff.
