Chaim Frenkel Villa
Šiaulių apskritis
Chaim Frenkel Villa is an architecturally significant historic mansion located in Šiauliai, Lithuania, built in 1908 by the prominent Jewish industrialist Chaim Frenkel and his wife Dora. The villa is a rare example of early 20th-century modernist (Art Nouveau/Jugendstil) architecture in Lithuania, blending various stylistic elements with an authentic interior featuring woodwork and ornate plaster decorations. It served as the Frenkel family residence and later housed a private Jewish gymnasium during the interwar period. During World War II and the Soviet era, the building was used as a military hospital. Since 1994, it has been part of the Šiauliai Aušros Museum and underwent extensive restoration. The villa hosts two main exhibitions: one recreating the provincial manor lifestyle from the mid-19th to mid-20th century, featuring notable artworks such as a high-quality copy of Antonio Van Dyck's "Portrait of Philip Worton" and Edo-period Japanese woodblock prints; the other dedicated to the Jewish cultural heritage of Šiauliai and the Frenkel family's industrial legacy in leather processing. Visitors can also enjoy the modernist-style park with a rose garden and fountain, which hosts the annual International Chaim Frenkel Villa Summer Festival celebrating various art forms. The villa offers guided tours, educational programs, exhibitions, concerts, and a restaurant named "Bleu de Frenkel." Accessibility improvements include an elevator for visitors with mobility impairments.
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Tip: The best time to visit Chaim Frenkel Villa is during the warmer months when the modernist park and rose garden are in full bloom, especially in summer during the International Chaim Frenkel Villa Summer Festival. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance for guided tours, which provide deeper insights into the villa's history and exhibitions. Discounts are available for certain groups, and the villa is accessible for visitors with mobility challenges thanks to an installed elevator. Free access is granted to the park year-round.
Interesting facts
- •The villa contains one of the finest known copies of Antonio Van Dyck's painting "Portrait of Philip Worton," with the original held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
- •It houses a collection of 21 Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo period (1603–1868).
- •The villa was among the first non-private museums in Lithuania to acquire professional audioguide equipment in 2009, comparable to that used in prestigious European museums like Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace.
History
Chaim Frenkel Villa was constructed in 1908 by Chaim and Dora Frenkel, notable Jewish industrialists in Šiauliai.
The building originally served as their family residence and later housed a private Jewish gymnasium from 1920 to 1940.
During World War II, the villa was used as a German military hospital, and subsequently as a Soviet military hospital for many years.
In 1994, the building was transferred to the Šiauliai Aušros Museum and underwent an 11-year restoration process to preserve its architectural and cultural heritage.
Place Guide
Main Exhibition - Provincial Manor Life19th-20th century
This exhibition recreates the lifestyle of a provincial manor from the mid-19th to mid-20th century, featuring authentic interiors, including furniture and decorative arts that showcase the region's cultural history.
Exhibition - Jewish Cultural Heritage and the Frenkel FamilyEarly 20th century
Dedicated to the Jewish industrialist Chaim Frenkel and his family, this exhibition highlights their leather processing factory, philanthropy, and the Jewish community's history in Šiauliai, set within the modernist villa and its stylish fountain and park.
Modernist Park and Rose GardenEarly 20th century
The villa's surrounding park is designed in the modernist style and features a rose garden with over a thousand roses, a stylish fountain, and is a venue for cultural events including the summer festival.
Contact
Phone: (0-41) 524389