Šiauliai
The city of Šiauliai is located in the north of Lithuania, 210 km from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and 130 km from the Latvian capital Riga. As you approach the city, you can see the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul—the most significant architectural monument of the Renaissance and Mannerism in Lithuania. On the south side of the building, there is one of the oldest sundials in Lithuania. The street with most of the attractions (many sculptures, fountains, and buildings from wartime to modern times) is Vilniaus Gatvė—the first pedestrian zone established in the former Soviet Union in 1975. The symbol of the city, an archer known as the "Sun Boy" due to the city's history, can be found in the Sundial Square. Not far from Sundial Square is Lake Talkša, which features a lovely walking path (about 5 km) with 23 information stops about the local flora, fauna, and history, along with a bird-watching tower, winding around the lake through the fishing village to Salduvė Hill. At the shore of Lake Talkša stands a gigantic iron fox. This modern sculpture is recorded in the Lithuanian Guinness Book of Records as the largest animal sculpture and commemorates the millennium of the name Lithuania. Another attraction is the villa of the famous Jewish family Frenkel (Chaim Frenkel Villa), considered a masterpiece of modern architecture. Here, you will learn about life on the estate, daily life, as well as the cultural and artistic needs of the landowners, alongside the Jewish heritage in Šiauliai. Whether you are a photography enthusiast or a cycling lover, you will find entertaining museums in Šiauliai. And to conclude your visit, the sweet scent of chocolate invites you to the Chocolate Museum established in the old building of the Ruta chocolate factory: learn more about the history of chocolate, the first chocolate factories in Lithuania, and of course the oldest operating confectionery factory in Lithuania.
Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai
Many legends are told about the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai. One legend states that a father fell asleep at his daughter's bedside. In his dream, a white woman appeared to him, instructing him to place a cross on the hill. The man did as the figure said and erected a cross on that very hill. Upon his return home, his daughter was healthy again. Historical sources indicate that the first crosses were placed on this hill in the 19th century. It has always been a place of faith and a symbol of the desire for freedom. After World War II, the Soviets demolished all the crosses on the hill three times, but believers continued to come and erect new crosses. Today, you will find thousands of crosses of all sizes and types in Šiauliai, estimated to be around 200,000, with more than 50 registered in the cultural heritage registry. In September 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Hill and celebrated a mass with about 100,000 believers. In 1994, on the first anniversary of his visit, the Vatican donated a life-sized cross with a figure of Christ, which was erected at the beginning of the staircase. The crucifix bears the inscription: "Thank you to the Lithuanians for this Hill of Crosses, which shows the great faith of the people of this land to the people of Europe and the whole world." The Hill of Crosses is a place for the people; it has no opening hours and can be visited day and night. Visit this special place, soak in the atmosphere, and listen to the sound of thousands of rosaries and small crosses clashing against the large crosses in the wind.
Pakruojis
On the way from Vilnius to Riga, about 40 km from Šiauliai, lies the small town of Pakruojis, home to one of the most beautiful and largest preserved manor ensembles in Lithuania. If you want to feel the true life of the nobility, this manor is perfect for you! The manor, whose history dates back to the late 16th century, was built by the German noble family von der Ropp and managed for over 100 years. The estate covers 48.2 hectares and features a 150-year-old park with about 26 different tree species. Various workshops are held here: from a perfume lab, where real perfume is produced, honey workshops, where fresh honey is tasted, to wool production and blacksmith workshops. Additionally, the manor offers museum visits (also available in festive attire upon request), a music program with a chamber orchestra, and a small brewery with traditional beer tastings. The theater performance "Wedding According to Old Traditions" or the demonstration program in the Torture Museum will engage the audience and impress even the most discerning visitors. In the tavern Traktierius, you can taste dishes from the culinary heritage of Northern Lithuania, along with several varieties of regional house beer brewed according to ancient traditions. This true gem of Northern Lithuania has so much to offer that it is hard to imagine; after all, as they say, seeing and experiencing it once is better than hearing about it a hundred times.
Tytuvenai
About 105 km from Kaunas, in the midst of forests and lakes, you can visit the Bernardine Monastery ensemble in Tytuvenai. It is one of the two preserved monastery and church ensembles in Lithuania (the second is the Pazaislis Monastery ensemble). The architecture of this beautiful sacral architectural complex is characterized by a multifaceted harmony of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. The monastery ensemble is famous for its arcades, closed courtyards, old buildings, stair chapel, Stations of the Cross, and the holy image of the Virgin Mary with Child. Pilgrims from corners of the world have discovered this unique architectural monument—have you?
Siluva
Siluva, a small town in the Tytuvenai Regional Park, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Lithuania. It is said that in Siluva in 1608, shepherds saw the Virgin Mary on a large stone, weeping bitterly: at the spot where people once honored her son, they now plow and sow. Until the mid-16th century, there was a Catholic church at this location, which fell into disrepair with the Reformation in Lithuania. During excavations of the church, a chest containing documents, the holy image of St. Mary with Child, and liturgical garments was found. Today, you can visit the new church in Siluva, built in place of the old one, which carries the title of Basilica Minor. Near the Basilica stands a 44-meter-high chapel designed by architect Antoni Wiwulski, featuring an altar where the stone of the presumed Marian apparition is embedded. Pope John Paul II visited the Basilica on September 7, 1993. Not only Lithuanians but also believers from all over the world are drawn to this holy place, the Basilica with the famous painting of St. Mary with Child and the Marian chapel. Every September, a large indulgence mass takes place on the vast church square, which is one of the most significant in the country, attracting thousands of visitors.
Zemaitija National Park
Zemaitija National Park, covering an area of 21,720 hectares, is located in the northwest of Lithuania in the Zemaitija region (Lowland Lithuania), about 80 km from the port city of Klaipeda and about 200 km from Kaunas—the second-largest city in Lithuania. It is an ideal stopover before continuing to the larger cities of Lithuania. Established in 1991, the national park is famous for the clear and clean Lake Plateliai, seven islands, villages with preserved traditions, long hiking trails, beautiful forests, marshes, and river landscapes that can be explored on foot, by water, by car, or by bike.
The most significant architectural sights include the churches in Plateliai, Beržoras, and Žemaičių Kalvarija, and the watermill in Babrungėnai. The Cold War Museum, housed in an underground rocket launch facility, attracts thousands of tourists from around the world each year. While hiking around Lake Plateliai, you can admire hilly landscapes and many interesting tourist sites, such as:
Additionally, there are another 25 smaller lakes and 200 cultural heritage monuments. In 2008, Plateliai was awarded the title of “European Destination of Excellence (EDEN)” by the European Commission as “The Most Attractive Lithuanian Destination for Intangible Heritage.” Zemaitija National Park is an ideal place for those seeking refuge in nature and cultural heritage.
Plungė
Welcome to Plungė, a small town in Zemaitija not far from the national park. Did you know that Plungė is the partner city of Menden in the Sauerland? Here you can visit the majestic palace of Elector Mykolas Oginskis, which is one of the most magnificent architectural monuments in Lithuania. Notably, the sculptures in ancient style that adorn the palace roof are striking. Today, the palace houses the Lowland Art Museum. Stroll through the beautiful palace park and try to hug the oak of the thunder god Perkunas; it stands 25 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 1.75 meters. In the small wooden house next to the brick church in Plungė, Ciurlionis lived with his wife after their wedding. Ciurlionis was Lithuania's most famous and important composer and painter. One wing of the estate housed one of the first music schools in Lithuania, where Ciurlionis was the most famous student. The Zemaitija National Park, established in the Plungė region with its many lakes, is one of the most sought-after places—let this natural wonder inspire you!
Telšiai
Visit the picturesque town of Telšiai, which, according to legend, was founded by the Zemaitian (Lowland Lithuanian) giant Telsys. Today, it is the capital of Zemaitija. Explore the well-preserved old town with its charming market square. In the center of the city, you will find the Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua. Don’t miss the magnificent interior of this small Baroque cathedral and the impressive ornamental door depicting the history of Lowland Lithuanian Christianity. After finding the 46 “bear symbols” of the Lowland Lithuanian region, take a break and indulge in freshly baked cakes from one of the small bakeries.
Image credits: ©LithuaniaTravel, ©G.Mazeika_LithuaniaTravel, ©L.Ciunys_LithuaniaTravel
Text: ©UAB "BaltTours", 2020
