- Address: Duntes muiža, Dunte, Liepupes pagasts, LV-4023, Latvia;
- Website: minhauzens.lv;
- Year of foundation: 1994.
Even if you do not really like excursions of the museum format, there is one incredible place in Latvia that is definitely worth visiting - it's the Munchausen Museum. Once you get here, you will lose touch with reality for a while, return to childhood and believe in real miracles.
Museum Munchausen - suddenly, like in a fairy tale
Not many people know that the baron-inventor named Munchausen, known from books and films, is not a fictional character. This person really lived in the XVIII century. Another thing is his incredible adventures and exploits. This, of course, is in most of the fiction and legend.
The most interesting thing is that in the Munchausen Museum everything is closely intertwined. Here are collected real items from the life of the baron and his wife: their personal belongings, portraits, a true record of the wedding of the couple. But, at the same time, you will see a funny deer with a cherry tree on its head, a beaver with a horn, a famous cannonball on which the baron allegedly flew to Turkey, and many other fairy-tale exhibits. It is this elusive line between fantasy and reality that creates an amazing atmosphere around and makes you believe that nothing is impossible.
History of the museum
For the first time, the Baron Munchhausen in Dunta was recalled in 1991 (it was in this place that the famous baron lived with his wife after he was sent into retirement). On the initiative of the local professor, an exhibition "Return of Munchausen to Dunta" was created. This exposition caused unprecedented interest, and it was decided to make it permanent.
The success of the exhibition was enormous, in 1994 the question arose about the opening of a full-fledged museum. It was decided to organize it in the building of the old tavern, where the whole of Dunta was often gathered to listen to Old Munchausen's tales. The tradition was born every year (in November) to organize a hunting meeting in the museum, where hunters from all regions met and told their stories. In 1999, there was even a World gathering of liars. But in 2001 a fire broke out in the tavern. All the exhibits were saved, they were transferred to another building, but after that interest in the museum-club began to fade away.
To revive the glory of the immortal baron, two enthusiastic entrepreneurs undertook. They bought a plot of land where the Dunten Manor was previously located, restored the building, recreated all the expositions, and two years later - in 2005 the new Munchausen Museum in Latvia opened its doors to visitors.
Every year the museum celebrates its birthday widely. They do it on May 32 (June 1) on the special calendar of Munchausen. The obligatory attribute of the celebration is 1 candle and as many cakes as the year turned out to be a museum.
What to see?
On the first floor of the museum building are the apartments of the former owners of the estate. There is a large Jacobina boudoir with a magnificent decoration in the best traditions of the XVIII century. In addition to furniture and dresses of the Baroness, you can see a stuffed animal of her beloved pet - a small chanterelle, as well as unusual personal belongings of Munchausen's wife, for example a comb for combing gnats from a wig and a special jar of oil where secular ladies folded the caught insects.
Next to Jacobina's rooms is the baron's office. The walls and floors are decorated with hunting trophies, in the middle of the room there is a large sculpture by Munchausen, illustrating one of his baits - catching ducks on a rope with bacon.
In the living room is a large wardrobe with books about the adventures of the baron in different languages. There also hang portraits of the Munchausen couple. It is noteworthy that in life the Baron did not look at all the way that illustrators and animators used to depict him. The creators of the museum very subtly conveyed the adventurous and peculiar Munchausen spirit. In all rooms you can find original exhibits and items: a money tree, a watch with a reverse dial, a souvenir shop located directly in the balloon basket.
On the second floor of the Munchausen Museum there is a large exposition of wax figures of outstanding people of Latvia. You can take a picture behind the chessboard with the 8th world champion - Michael Tal, in an embrace with the famous Baltic composer - Raymond Pauls and many others. Here is an exhibition of beer glasses. The collection has more than 2000 exhibits from 58 countries.
Adult ticket to the museum costs € 3.5, for children and pensioners the entrance is € 2.5. You can use the services of a guide (€ 20).
Things to do?
In addition to exploring the fascinating exhibition expositions, you will find a lot of interesting entertainment. In the Munchausen museum park you can:
- to shoot in a shooting gallery (5 rounds costs € 3, 10 rounds - € 5);
- walk along the Forest trails (routes 1, 3,4 and 4,3 km) with wooden sculptures from Munchausen's stories (ticket price from € 2.5 to € 5);
- sunbathing and buying on the beach;
- arrange a picnic in the fresh air (there are specially equipped recreational areas with pavilions, barbecues, the cost of rent is € 15);
- to buy unusual souvenirs with the symbols of Munchausen;
- visit the "Amusement Race" with trampolines, slides, swings, cannons and other entertainments (ticket - € 2);
- relax in the summer cafe;
- photographed in the costumes of the XVIII century (rent of one outfit - € 2);
- to coin a coin of 1 Munchausen's memory.
Near the museum there is parking. For car parking you will pay € 2.
In the warm season, Munchausen Park is open daily - from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00, from Friday to Sunday - from 10:00 to 18:00.
In winter (November - April) the museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday. The rest of the day takes guests from 10:00 to 17:00.
How to get there?
The Munchausen Museum is located 60 km from the capital of Latvia. If you travel by car, then you should drive along highway A1 (E67) towards Estonia . First you will go through Saulkrasti , then Skulte. After that, carefully follow the signs. Approximately 10 km after Skulte there will be a left turn. Turning there, you finish eating up to the manor-museum.
You can also reach Munchausen Park and by public transport. To Dunta once a hour there is a bus " Riga - Saulkrasti - Ainazi".