Lithuanian Library of Medicine

About

The Lithuanian Library of Medicine is a building that houses the largest collection of medical literature in Lithuania. It holds the oldest and most extensive collections spanning many years of medical history.

Architecturally speaking, it is a typical example of Socialist Realist architecture. The current building of the Lithuanian Library of Medicine once served to consolidate the foundations of the ideological regime, so it has been subtly integrated into the urban context of the surroundings and deliberately camouflaged – the façade faces the small Kaštonų Street, and its height does not stand out from the surrounding buildings.

The interior of this mysterious building, with its surviving furniture and decor, has changed little since the 1950s, and still to this day takes us back to those times. The well-preserved auditorium breathes the spirit of the Socialist Realist period and amazes with its still-functioning drapery lifting and lowering mechanisms, authentic cinema projector and curved panoramic screen. A bunker with a metal door weighing 0.5 tonnes still remains in the basement of the building.

The building’s architectural design and the authenticity of its interior invite visitors to step back in time and experience the spirit of the times. This historic architectural treasure is also a great favourite among movie directors.