For us the initial draw was the fact that it was something weird and unusual. We like to seek out the different. It looked like a UFO and futuristic buildings in the middle of the forest in Lithuania.
It is the actually the LITHUANIAN MUSEUM OF ETHNOCOSMOLOGY
What is ETHNOCOSMOLOGY you ask? At least I did. This term and the idea was born here in Lithuania and encompasses the idea of humankind’s relationship with the visual, emotional, ethnic, spiritual, and cognitive aspects of the Cosmic World. If you are curious to learn more check out https://etnokosmomuziejus.lt/en/
The rain stopped long enough for us to explore around the grounds. Marveling at the dichotomy of glass and silver metal against the lush green of tall trees and flash of light on the lake. The sky was opaque with clouds so there was no possibility of looking through either of the two telescopes that belong to the attached Moletai Astronomical Observatory.
The hill that sloped down from the observatory contained two circles of natural objects, manipulated by people. A circle of stones, some with runes carved into them, and spherical rocks placed in an enormous solar system. As well as a circle of tree trunk size carved totems of Lithuanian pagan gods.
I was sad not to be able to engage in the museum, a tour, but mostly to peer through a powerful telescope out into the universe in which we are spinning. However, the experience will continue to spark ongoing conversations. It also solidified my desire to go to an observatory in a more ideal sky state to see the planets and stars that we spin with in a choreographed dance around the Universe.
The Ditzman’s European Adventure 