Orvidai Homestead-Museum Museum

Near Salantai, on the right side of the Salantai–Plungė road (KK169) (there are information signs).

This space was started more than 40 years ago by stone masters father and son Kazimieras and Vilius Orvidai (1905–1989; 1952–1992). During land reclamation, they brought stones of more interesting shapes and centuries-old trees from the surrounding area to their homestead and created monuments with religious themes from them. It is said that this museum was born out of grief over the nature being destroyed by Soviet land reclamation and the desire to breathe life into the condemned stones, to resurrect them for a second life. The works created by the Orvidai themselves and other artists that appeared on the Orvidai homestead did not comply with Soviet ideological and artistic canons: the works created from stone, wood, metal and old agricultural implements intertwined symbols of various religions (Catholic, pagan, Buddhist). The homestead was also a gathering place for people who did not fit into the Soviet reality of life, and it became a place of refuge and gathering for those who thought differently. The Soviet government had repeatedly planned to destroy this space, but it was nevertheless saved. The Orvidai homestead became extremely popular during the period of the Lithuanian Renaissance.

Visitors to the farmstead-museum are greeted by the IS-2 tank. This tank was developed by the Soviets during World War II as a response to the German Tiger I. The name of the tank series IS is an acronym for the Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin. Previously, this tank stood in Salantai, was part of the memorial to the burial site of Soviet soldiers of World War II. In 1991, it was transported to the Orvidai farmstead and became its exhibit.