Museum of Clocks, Klaipeda

The Museum of Clocks is housed in a historic building with a rich and diverse history. The narrative of this building traces back to the early 19th century when the plot of land was initially owned by Hoffman, an accountant, in 1778. The property changed hands and eventually came into the possession of Johann Simpson, one of Klaipėda's wealthiest patricians. Around 1820, an English architect designed a small suburban villa on the site, marking the emergence of merchant residences in this area.

After World War II, in 1945, the building took on a new role as the Klaipėda House of Pioneers and Students. In 1979, it was entrusted to the Lithuanian Arts Museum, and in 1984, the Clock Museum was inaugurated, showcasing a remarkable collection of timepieces.

The museum's ground floor offers a captivating display featuring knotted and wooden calendars, ancient sundials, as well as diverse examples of timekeeping mechanisms such as water clocks, fire clocks, hourglasses, and various mechanical clocks. This collection provides a comprehensive overview of the ingenious ways humanity has measured and marked time throughout history.

Ascending to the second floor, visitors are treated to an exhibition showcasing the evolution of mechanical clock forms and designs. Spanning from the Renaissance to modern styles, the collection encompasses timepieces dating from the 16th to the 20th century. This journey through the centuries illustrates not only the technological advancements in clockmaking but also the aesthetic and artistic transformations that occurred over time.