The collection began in the 1900s when Antanas Žmuidzinavičius was gifted a wooden devil figurine by a fellow artist.
The museum holds pieces from over 70 different countries, representing diverse global folk traditions.
Many exhibits feature humorous or satirical depictions of the devil, reflecting his role as a trickster in Baltic folklore.
The museum building itself is the former home and studio of the collection's founder.
A significant portion of the collection includes satirical political caricatures featuring the devil figure from the mid-20th century.
The collection was officially nationalized and opened to the public after Žmuidzinavičius died in 1966.
The Devils' Museum, located in Kaunas, is a specialized institution dedicated to the collection and display of devil-themed folk art and mythological figurines from around the world. The collection originated from the private assemblage of Lithuanian artist Antanas Žmuidzinavičius. The museum houses over 3,000 exhibits spanning wood carvings, ceramics, stone, metal, and plastic. Displays are organized across three floors, with the ground floor focusing on the history of the collection and upper floors showcasing global interpretations of the devil figure. It serves as a unique cultural repository exploring the devil as a recurring archetype in folk mythology. The facility operates as a division of the National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum.
The central staircase, which offers a vertical view of the various hanging and wall-mounted devil masks.
Read the placards detailing the origin of each piece to understand the varying cultural interpretations of the 'devil' archetype.
Focus your time on the third floor, which typically houses the most unusual and intricate international carvings.
Visit the small museum shop for unique, locally-made artisanal souvenirs that are harder to find in general city markets.
Do not mistake the entire building for a single gallery; it is a compact, multi-level house, so move through the floors systematically to ensure you do not miss hidden corners.
Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
