{"id":72,"date":"2012-08-15T10:26:08","date_gmt":"2012-08-15T10:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/?p=72"},"modified":"2019-11-26T12:15:07","modified_gmt":"2019-11-26T12:15:07","slug":"lt3-aukstaitija","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/lt3-aukstaitija\/","title":{"rendered":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija Region: North East Lithuania"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><a name=\"lt3\"><\/a>[LT3] Aukshtaitija Region: North East Lithuania<\/h1>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px;\"><a name=\"lt3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px;\">\u00a0{{picLT3}}<\/p>\n<p>Very well in the reach from the capital Vilnius are the rich nature areas of the Auk\u0161taitija &#8211; literally &#8220;highlands&#8221; &#8211; in Lithuania, with the oldest national park of Lithuania<\/p>\n<h2>Links<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/search?tag=LT3+%28Auk%C5%A1taitija%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Route LT3 in the SHOP\u00a0<\/a>(English)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/search?tag=LT3+%28Auk%C5%A1taitija%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Route LT3 im online-SHOP<\/a>\u00a0(Deutsch)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Well, I know, the most cyclists try the direct connection from Vilnius to Riga.<\/p>\n<p>But that&#8217;s a route we do not recommend: it is quite boring, flat, &#8220;nothing special&#8221; leading you through industrial and agricultural areas.<\/p>\n<p>So, what we recommend is to turn a bit more to the East and visit the reach nature areas of the Auk\u0161taitija &#8211; literally &#8220;highlands&#8221; &#8211; in Lithuania, with the\u00a0<strong>oldest national park of Lithuania and the East of Latvia called &#8220;Latgale&#8221;<\/strong>. Together they build what is called &#8220;The Baltic Lakeland&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"left-block col-xs-4 col-sm-5 col-md-4\">\n<div class=\"product-image-container\"><a class=\"product_img_link\" title=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"replace-2x img-responsive\" title=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" src=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/3-home_default\/riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.jpg\" alt=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><a class=\"quick-view\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" rel=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quick view<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"center-block col-xs-4 col-sm-7 col-md-4\">\n<div class=\"product-flags\"><\/div>\n<h5><a class=\"product-name\" title=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)<\/a><\/h5>\n<p class=\"product-desc\">North East Lithuania and South East Latvia<\/p>\n<div class=\"color-list-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"right-block col-xs-4 col-sm-12 col-md-4\">\n<div class=\"right-block-content row\">\n<div class=\"content_price col-xs-5 col-md-12\"><span class=\"price product-price\">2,00 \u20ac<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"button-container col-xs-7 col-md-12\"><a class=\"button ajax_add_to_cart_button btn btn-default\" title=\"Add to cart\" href=\"https:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/cart?add=1&amp;id_product=8&amp;token=695cc58ddd946ce6aa2cd9513851154f\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-id-product-attribute=\"0\" data-id-product=\"8\" data-minimal_quantity=\"1\" target=\"_blank\">Add to cart<\/a><a class=\"button lnk_view btn btn-default\" title=\"View\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">More<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"functional-buttons clearfix col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"wishlist\"><a class=\"addToWishlist wishlistProd_8\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/5-lithuania#\" rel=\"8 noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Add to Wishlist<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"compare\"><a class=\"add_to_compare\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" data-id-product=\"8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Add to Compare<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- iframe plugin v.6.0 wordpress.org\/plugins\/iframe\/ -->\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"http:\/\/www.openstreetmap.org\/?relation=232057\" title=\"Route Vilnius-Riga (Lithuanian part \/ LT3)on openstreetmap \/ opencyclemap\" width=\"600\" class=\"iframe-class\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n<!-- iframe plugin v.6.0 wordpress.org\/plugins\/iframe\/ -->\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gpsies.com\/mapFolderOnly.do?id=2795\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" class=\"iframe-class\"><\/iframe>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Pictures of this region<br \/>\n[simple_google_photos_grid album-url=&#8221;https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/Q3UMSsNdiopVNYT97&#8243; number-photos=&#8221;90&#8243; number-photos-per-row=&#8221;3&#8243; cache-interval=&#8221;120&#8243;]\nhttps:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/Q3UMSsNdiopVNYT97<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><em><strong>From the BaltiCCycle.eu Route descriptions:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Vilnius<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Lithuanian capital, occupying an area of 392 km2, is situated in the Eastern part of the country. Vilnius lies at the intersection of several geographical highlands and the confluence of the Vilna and Neris Rivers. The historical center of Vilnius, i.e. a 360 &#8211; hectare old city, is among the largest in the Eastern Europe, serving as the most valuable heritage for Lithuanian history and architecture. What more, in 1994, the old city of Vilnius was included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Some history: With the name first mentioned in the early 12<\/span><\/span><sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, Vilnius City was granted the status of city in 1323. Later on, in 1579, Vilnius witnessed the foundation of a university which was the first higher school both in the Grand Principality of Lithuania and the whole region. As a center of European culture, Vilnius was open for the nations of the East and West and, eventually it became home for Polish, Russian, Jewish, German and Karaime communities. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>VERKIAI REGIONAL PARK<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This regional park is situated to the northeast of Vilnius. Over 800 plants grow on the morainic hills and ravines in the shadow of the city. Many are rare and do not grow in any other part of Lithuania. The park boasts lakes which lie among the pine woods. because of the green color of the water they are called the \u017dalieji (Green) Lakes. Not far from the lakes is Verkiai, which was first mentioned in the records of 14<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Residences for bishops were built there in the 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. A place, rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century, now stands in the park. Vilnius Kalvarijos (Stations of the Cross), known since the 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, are in woods not far from Verkiai. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Vilnius kalvarijos (Stations of the Cross) symbolizes the way of Jesus to Golgota (known since the 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>EUROPOS PARKAS. MUSEUM SET IN NATURE<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Europos Parkas was founded in 1991 due to the initiative of Lithuanian sculptor Gintaras Karosas. The exhibition spans an area of 55 hectares and is visited by over 40,000 people annually. The goal of the museum is to give artistic significance to the geographic center (as determined by the French National Geographic Institute in 1989) of the European continent. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Open &#8211; Air Museum of the Center of Europe seeks to present the most<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">interesting creations of international artists. The sculptures are permanently exhibited amidst beautiful rolling hills, woodlands and grasslands dotted with natural springs. The yellow blossoms of the grassland in the spring time and the faded colors of the misty autumn add an atmospheric backdrop to the sculptures. This harmonious whole with the light changing as the day progresses makes a lasting impression. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The open &#8211; air museum exhibits over 70 works created by artists from Armenia, Byelorussia, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, the USA and Venezuela. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In Europos Parkas you can: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to touch the Center of Europe<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Get to know all 44 names of the European capitals and distances to them from the center of Europe<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Create harmonious interaction between nature, man and object of art, <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">see the sculpture, which appear as if it could fly. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Get lost in the Labyrinth of Memory<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to find the largest chair in the World full of water<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to meet Mexican women looking at the Moon<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">on one side of the sculpture see sunrise and on another &#8211; sunset<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to sit under the largest web in the World<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>NEMEN\u010cIN\u0116<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">First chronicles in 1338, the town built its first church in 1387. The town planning structure as the center of a district of villages has been retained since the middle of XVI c. The town had its own parish school. Significant growth occurred after the World War II, and the town served as a regional center for a length of time. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>9th day &#8211; Saturday (22 07 2000)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>AUK\u0160TAITIJA<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You are entering Auk\u0161taitija, Lithuania&#8217;s largest region by land area. Eastern Auk\u0161taitija is hilly and dotted with lakes, whereas the western regions are characterized by plains. Auk\u0161taitija&#8217;s inhabitants are said to be merry, poetic, ambitious farming people. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Two types of multiple &#8211; voiced songs, centuries apart in age, are characteristic of Auk\u0161taitija. Ancient <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, unique to northeastern Auk\u0161taitija still survived at the beginning of the twentieth century. The verb &#8220;sutarti\u201d means to agree, to be in concord, or to sing harmoniously. Only groups of women who were quite close to one another sung <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> together. Here is the beginning portion of a simple example: This is a <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>keturine sutartine<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> song by two alternating groups of women. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Dvejines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> were sung by one pair, whereas trejines were performed canonically by three women. Approximately a third of <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> contained elements of dance. These dances were quite simple and were usually performed by three or four women as they sang the <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartine<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Unique genres of singing exist in this region. These include <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>valiavimai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (hay harvesting songs performed by men), flax &#8211; working and resounding feasting songs. They were especially common in northwest Auk\u0161taitija which is also famous for its delicious home &#8211; brewed beer. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Musical instruments in Auk\u0161taitija are: small, usually five &#8211; stringed <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>kankl\u0117s<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> found in this region are the most archaic Lithuanian stringed instruments. Men played <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>skudu\u010diai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>ragai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> on their way to work in the fields, while resting during this work, or during gatherings. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Skudu\u010diai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> are similar to disassembled pan &#8211; <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>pipes. Ragai are wooden horns which are produced in sets of five. Daudyt\u0117s differ from<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> ragai only in their form which is straighter and considerably longer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>PABRAD\u0116<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">During the second half of the XVI c. the town and several small industrial enterprises were established on the lands belonging to the Pabrad\u0117 Manor. The occupying Red Army used the town for a huge military base until 1993. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>JONI\u0160KIS<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">On the western shore of Lake Arinas is Joni\u0161kis, mentioned since the XVII century. The town features a wooden church from the middle of the XIX century. By the church is a monument built in 1928 on the occasion of the 10<\/span><\/span><sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> anniversary of regaining independence, which reminds one that in the 1930\u2019s and 1940\u2019s Joni\u0161kis was a settlement at the border of Poland.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">On the other shore of Lake Arinas is the old estate of ARNIONYS. The XIX century architectural ensemble is surrounded by a geometrically planned park declared a natural monument. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>INTURK\u0116<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">the southern edge of the Mol\u0117tai lake district, among the Lakes Galuonai, G\u0117luotas and I\u0161narai is the old town of Inturk\u0117. The XVIII c. wooden church and bell tower are an interesting monument of folk architecture. The interior of the church is beautiful, boasting quite a number of art monuments. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The wooden chapel with a belfry in the cemetery of the Rudesa village, situated near Inturk\u0117 on the western shore of Lake Baltieji Lakajai, is also an architectural monument of the XVIII-XIX c. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The environment of Inturk\u0117 is also well known for two natural monuments: a two &#8211; trunk pine-tree grows in the Kertuoja forest, while the forest of Alk\u016bnai has an old and thick oak (2.1 m in diameter, 28 m high). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>MOL\u0116TAI<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Mol\u0117tai, counting its seventh century, is situated in the center of a wonderful lake district, at a busy intersection of six roads. The river Siesartis flows through the town. In the east and the south Mol\u0117tai is surrounded by Lakes D\u016briai, Luokesa and Siesartis. Farther east lies the Lakajai lake district consisting of Lakes Bebrusai, Baltieji Lakajai, Juodieji Lakajai, Kertuoja and G\u0117luotas. The distance from Vilnius is only 63 km. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">People lived in the neighborhood of Mol\u0117tai as early as before Christ. The first mention of this settlement in historical sources dates to 1387. Mol\u0117tai has been the center of the rural district since the middle of the XIX c. The current St. Peter and Paul\u2019s neo-Baroque church was built in 1905. The downtown area features red &#8211; brick trade houses of Jews dating from the late XIX and early XX c. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Recently a cross was put up on Pavasarinink\u0173 Hill, where activities of various Catholic youth organizations used to take place between the wars. By the river Siesartis is a restored statue of St. Jonas Nepomukas. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">1991 saw the establishment of the Mol\u0117tai land museum, the hall of which house art exhibitions. The museum introduces Mol\u0117tai history, customs and places of interest. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>MIND\u016aNAI FISHERY MUSEUM<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">There are more than 300 lakes in Mol\u0117tai land, so people earning their living by fishing from of old times. In this museum ther is exhibiting fishing tools and trophies. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>10th day &#8211; Sunday (23 07 2000)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>LABANORAS REGIONAL PARK<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Labanoras regional park (LRP) is founded in 1992. It reaches a watershed of the rivers \u017deimena and \u0160ventoji. It covers an area of about 50,000 ha. LRP has 216 settlements of different types with about 1,800 inhabitants. There are 2 large reservation and 24 smaller restricted areas. Its main part is the forest of Labanoras. From the scientific, cognitive, and recreational points of view the landscape is very valuable. People like to spend their holidays on banks of such lakes as Juodieji Lakajai, Baltieji Lakajai, Aisetas, Stirnias or one of the other 250 lakes. Popular to visit are the center of Ethnocosmology, the Observatory, and the museum of fishery in Mind\u016bnai. Everybody can look around the center of Ethnocosmology and listen to lectures, or celebrate Lithuanian national feasts. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Also you visit special trees of Labanoras &#8211; the pines of Labanoras: \u201dQueen Pine\u201d, \u201cSix Labanoras Pine trees\u201d.. Such pines grow only in the forests of Labanoras. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Several fortified hills remind us of Lithuania\u2019s dramatic past, and the graves of the fighters in the 1863 uprising attest to the nation\u2019s struggle for independence, as do the postwar partisans\u2019 battles in the forests. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Also Labanoras is known for his special music instrument &#8211; the bagpipe of Labanoras. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">LRP is home for 54 species of mammals, 172 species of birds, 5 species of reptiles and 11 species of amphibians as well other species included in the Lithuanian Red Data Book. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Also Labanoras is known for his special music instrument &#8211; the bagpipe of Labanoras. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Labanoras Forest is not only a geographical but also a spiritual center of the region. The forest is rich in natural resources. One can see an Osprey gliding over the lakes and a Capercaillie in pine forests or hear a Black Grouse in the swamps. It is also possible to hear Capercaillies in the Swamps of Kanys or Didysis, and the trumpets of Cranes in bogs piercing an autumn cal m. In parts of the undergrowth one may meet a surprised Gaze of a Moose or a Roe Deer<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Salmon, Trout and Cisco are found among great numbers of common fish in the rivers and lakes. The territory of LRP is famous for its 5 mound &#8211; hills, 19 burial mounds, 4 ancient settlements, 5 ritual freedom buildings and architectural monuments, and battlefields of fights for Lithuanian<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>KALTAN\u0116NAI <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The settlement has been known of since the 16<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Kaltan\u0117nai is famous for its livestock fairs. The old square is an urban achievement. Tourists often visit the old oak tree which is considered a natural monument. There is an interesting classic &#8211; style granary still standing on the grounds of the former estate. The granary is believed to be over 100 years old.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>LINKMENYS<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The village\u2019s ancient castle of the same name has been recorded since 1357. A church was built in 1517, and the locale received official sanction to develop as a small town in 1534. At the end of the XIX c. The population had exceeded 800. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Auk\u0161taitija National Park<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Lithuania&#8217;s first national park &#8211; Auk\u0161taitija National Park &#8211; was designated in 1974 and covers an area of 40570 hectares. Over 70% of its territory is pine stands hilly terrain abounding in lakes and having ethnographic villages; it contains quite a lot of other cultural monuments. Scattered among the woods and hills are some 100 smaller and larger lakes, often interconnected by rivulets and streams. Baluo\u0161as features seven islands, one of which has a little lake of its own, feeding the Baluo\u0161as waters through a small stream. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Auk\u0161taitija National Park abound in rare plant species, including a number of plants that are listed in the Red Data Book of Lithuania and are protected as endangered species. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">There are about 100 settlements in Auk\u0161taitija National Park. Three types of architectural planning are dominant: one-street, scattered and detached. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>OLD VILLAGES<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The very first settlements were mentioned in the 14<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century: Stripeikiai &#8211; in 1357, Linkmenys and Gaveik\u0117nai &#8211; in 1377. After the Valakas Land Reform in the second half of the 16<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, one-street villages became predominant. Farmsteads are distributed next to each other on one or both sides of the street. A dwelling house stands perpendicular to the street on one line with the cattle &#8211; shed behind it. In front of the dwelling house the granary and the cellar forms the another line. The barn stands far behind. This kind of planning is typical for Ginu\u010diai, Vai\u0161ni\u016bnai, Meironys and Gaveik\u0117nai. The most interesting are \u0160akali\u0161k\u0117 and Kretuonys &#8211; which is state protected ethnographic village. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Smaller settlements appeared in the 18<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. So &#8211; called \u201cu\u017eusieniai\u201d- settler farms &#8211; gave rise to the m. Settlers mostly were foresters and their families. Those settlements were spreading and grew up into villages. A small number of farmsteads, free siting of buildings and the absence of clear street &#8211; network are typical features for this kind of settlement. A dwelling, a granary and a cattle &#8211; shed form the central core of the farmstead. Barns usually lay beyond these. Due to the authenticity of architecture, five ethnographic villages are protected by the state; those are: \u0160uminai, Strazdai, Vai\u0161nori\u0161k\u0117s, Salos II and Varni\u0161k\u0117s II. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In 1909, after the Stolypin Land Reform, some villages were transferred into detached farmsteads. The best examples for detached farm villages are Pelakas, Pabir\u017e\u0117, Dar\u017eeliai and Gineiti\u0161kis. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>STRAZDAI. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">A place of rare beauty, protruding from the water are 7 islands, one of which has a lake of its own. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When the village was mentioned for the first time in 1783, it had name of Balo\u0161ekuliai. Since 1798 it has had the present name which comes from the family of foresters who lived there. The village was famous for its barn theater. For some time it was like a cultural center for peasants. Three dwellings and two barns are left from the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Thatch &#8211; the traditional roof cover &#8211; was changed to shingles and wood planks at the beginning of the 20<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>STRIPEIKIAI<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> This is the oldest village in the park. It was mentioned for the first time in 1357. Later it belonged to the Labanoras Estate of the Vilnius Bishop. At present in the village the Ancient Apiculture Museum is located. Buildings of the museum are built in traditional style, roofs are covered with thatch. The Tauragn\u0117l\u0117 River runs through the village and the sky-blue Lake \u0160aminis lies there.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b> BEE-KEEPING MUSEUM <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">in a farmstead on a small hill in Stripeikiai. The museum exhibition are supplements by artistic and cognitive wood sculptures which depict various scenes from the life of a bee-keeper.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>\u0160UMINAI<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> For the very first time this village was mentioned as Pabaluo\u0161\u0117 in 1784, although the first farmstead appeared there much earlier. Later it got named from the family which lived there. Currently all families in the village have the surname of \u0160uminai. 300 years old pine-tree, standing in the center of the village, remember its history. There are many maples &#8211; it makes this place very attractive during the autumn season. The most interesting old building is the barn with a dry-house. Its wooden hinges tell about construction in ancient times. One dwelling is presented to visitors as a fisherman\u2019s home. The movie about the \u201cLithuanian Robin Hood\u201d &#8211; Tadas Blinda &#8211; was filmed in \u0160uminai. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>KRETUONYS<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">. The abundance of archeological findings and monuments testifies that people in this area had been living here since the 1<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">st<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> millennium B.C. The village was founded during the Valakas Land Reform in the 16<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Kretuonys is a one &#8211; street village with strip &#8211; plots, built &#8211; in on one side of the street. The most interesting buildings are considered granaries with little balconies and other traditional buildings erected in the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Several hundred &#8211; year &#8211; old trees decorate the environment of the village. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>VARNI\u0160K\u0116S II. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The four Varni\u0161k\u0117s villages are located on the eastern &#8211; end of Lake Tauragnas. More than 300 years old, Varni\u0161k\u0117s II preserved its previous appearance. Barns with dry &#8211; houses, granaries and a smithy have remained since the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. There are some very old trees in the village. The oldest oak and linden &#8211; tree are preserved as nature monuments. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>SALOS II. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Two villages have the name of Salos. Both of them are located in the peninsula surrounded by lakes Asalnyk\u0161tis, Linkmenas, Alksnas and Alksnaitis. The only way to the peninsula is from Antalksn\u0117. Historical sources show the family of Kudabos had been living in the Salos II settlement, which latter grew up into a village. Descendants of this family currently live there. Due to the unique architecture, the village has been declared as a Cultural Reserve. Unfortunately only the dwelling and the granary survived from the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Other buildings were built in the beginning of the 20<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. It is possible to get there by foot from Ladakalnis crossing the bridge over the stream which connects the lakes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>DAR\u017dELIAI. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">On the way to Antalksn\u0117 from Linkmenys, one branch &#8211; road to the left leads to Dar\u017eeliai. One would find here no village, but only a few isolated farmsteads. There is the Linkmenys Mound right next to it. Local people sometimes call this mound \u201cPilal\u0117\u201d. It is the best place to observe the Benediktavas Landscape Reserve.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>PAL\u016a\u0160\u0116. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">A village, which is the tourist center of the Auk\u0161taitija National Park, was first mentioned in written sources in 1651. It still boasts an octagonal wooden church dating back to 1757.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Other places of Interest:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>GINU\u010cIAI. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It is believed that Ginu\u010diai Hill was the setting for Linkm\u0117nai Castle, which was destroyed by the knights of the Sword in 1373. The hill has recently been cleaned up, and steps have been constructed on its slopes. From the top of the hill there is a nice view of the surroundings area. There is an old <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>water-mill in Ginu\u010diai<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> which people say is known for the pranks of devils. Apparently, evil spirits used to spill bags of grain and steal horses from people who were riding by\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not far from Ginu\u010diai looms the famous <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>LADAKALNIS <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8211; a hill among the lakes which serves as a unique survey tower. From the top of the hill, there are lakes separated by bluish folds of forests as far as the eye can see.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You can look around the Miller\u201ds Museum arranged in an old 19th century water mill. If you are brave enough you can check whether devils are still living there.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>IGNALINA<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Town of Ignalina, the administrative center, is located 110 km. from Vilnius and 63 km. from Utena. The name is connected to a legend about lovers Ignas and Lina from a Lithuanian folk tale. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Region was populated during the Stone Age, with remnants from early camps discovered throughout the countryside. On the Rudakampis Peninsula, stood wooden castle, burnt by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Near the Winter Sports Center, there are mounds (9-12<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century), which according to the legends were &#8220;poured together with the caps of Napoleon&#8217;s soldiers. &#8220;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When Lithuania was under Russian rule in the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, the Russian emperor ordered a railway line built from St. Petersburg to Warsaw via Vilnius. Ignalina became an important railway station in the1860&#8217;s, which triggered a dynamic development of the region. During the World War I, Germany required that another railway line be built from Ignalina towards the front line. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Unfortunately, the old Jewish Synagogue and Orthodox Church, as well as a wooden railway station (built in 1886) have not survived. Therefore, the oldest building here is the stone tower of the railway station, dating back to 1872. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Now Ignalina and the District encompass over 200 lakes. The City is surrounded by lakes, and topped with the forested Vilkakalnis Hill (208 m), upon which are TV and fire towers. Small roads and trails connect the lakes and nearby forests. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Ignalina Region is a miniature version of Lithuania, with 1\/3 of the area covered with beautiful forests and with over 200 lakes, filled with 30 varieties of fish. Opportunities for both summer and winter recreation are unlimited. The largest portion of the Auk\u0161taitija National Park, founded in 1974 to protect the Eastern Lithuanian natural, cultural and historical heritage, is located here. There are also 12 regional parks and 4 unique historical villages.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>ATTRACTIONS of Ignalina:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Ignas and Lina Memorial<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; 5 m. wooden sculpture carved by G.\u010cernius depicting the legend of Ignalina<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Memorial Cross to the Exiled<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (near the train station) -19 m. wooden sculpture carved by J. Jak\u0161tas<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Ethnocultural Center<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Taikos 11) &#8211; traditional and contemporary folk art exhibits, historical information. Sales gallery and handicraft shop.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>St.Mary\u2019s Church<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Ba\u017eny\u010dios a.) &#8211; noted modern structure designed by R. Kri\u0161tapavi\u010dius.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Public Beach<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Gavys Lake, Turist\u0173 g.) &#8211; sand, large docks, water slide and food concession.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Lithuania Winter Sports Center<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Sporto g.) &#8211; Beach and boat rentals on \u017daliasis (Siek\u0161tys) Lake; tennis courts; 7.5 km. paved hiking, bicycle and ski trail, 50 m. ski jump; 50 m. downhill ski slopes with 130 m. tow and 278 m. trail; caf\u00e9 and overnight accommodations. Ski and boat rentals available.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>TARZAN<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, 1 km. north on east side of road to Visaginas. Residence of Lithuania\u2019s own Tarzan who tells educational stories and demonstrates his skills in nature and photography.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">in Visaginas.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Library<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Atgimimo &#8211; located in a former church), interesting woodwork, reading room.<\/span><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[LT3] Aukshtaitija Region: North East Lithuania \u00a0{{picLT3}} Very well in the reach from the capital Vilnius are the rich nature areas of the Auk\u0161taitija &#8211; literally &#8220;highlands&#8221; &#8211; in Lithuania, with the oldest national park of Lithuania Links Route LT3 in the SHOP\u00a0(English) Route LT3 im online-SHOP\u00a0(Deutsch) &nbsp; Well, I know, the most cyclists try [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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in Lithuania[:de]Radfahren in Litauen[:]","slug":"lithuania","term_group":1,"term_taxonomy_id":77,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":4,"filter":"raw","i18n_config":{"name":{"ts":{"en":"[:en]Cycling in Lithuania[:de]Radfahren in Litauen[:]"}}},"ID":77},{"term_id":220,"name":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Northeast Lithuania \/ Riga-Vilnius by bicycle","slug":"lt3","term_group":1,"term_taxonomy_id":220,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Northeast Lithuania \/ Riga-Vilnius by bicycle","parent":0,"count":6,"filter":"raw","i18n_config":{"name":{"ts":{"en":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Northeast Lithuania \/ Riga-Vilnius by bicycle"}},"description":{"ts":{"de":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Nordostlitauen \/ Riga-Vilnius per Fahrrad","en":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Northeast Lithuania \/ Riga-Vilnius by bicycle"},"ml":"[:de][LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Nordostlitauen \/ Riga-Vilnius per Fahrrad[:en][LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Northeast Lithuania \/ Riga-Vilnius by bicycle[:]"}},"ID":220},{"term_id":205,"name":"aukstaitija nationalpark","slug":"aukstaitija-nationalpark","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":205,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw","i18n_config":{"name":{"ts":{"en":"aukstaitija nationalpark"}}},"ID":205},{"term_id":273,"name":"Riga-Vilnius","slug":"riga-vilnius","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":273,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":3,"filter":"raw","i18n_config":{"name":{"ts":{"en":"Riga-Vilnius"}}},"ID":273},{"term_id":231,"name":"VeloVilnius","slug":"velovilnius","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":231,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw","i18n_config":{"name":{"ts":{"en":"VeloVilnius"}}},"ID":231},{"term_id":267,"name":"Vilnius by bicycle","slug":"vilnius-by-bicycle","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":267,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw","i18n_config":{"name":{"ts":{"en":"Vilnius by bicycle"}}},"ID":267}]},"pwapp_feed_image_dimension_type":"preview","featuredimage":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-100x62.png","pwapp_post_image":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-100x62.png","share_image":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-100x62.png","featured_image_showhide":"show","featured_image":{"url":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-672x372.png"},"pwapp_excerpt":"<p>[LT3] Aukshtaitija Region: North East Lithuania \u00a0{{picLT3}} Very well in the reach from the capital Vilnius are the rich nature areas of the Auk\u0161taitija &#8211; literally &#8220;highlands&#8221; &#8211; in Lithuania, with the oldest national park of Lithuania Links Route LT3 in the SHOP\u00a0(English) Route LT3 im online-SHOP\u00a0(Deutsch) &nbsp; Well, I know, the most cyclists try [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","pwapp_title":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija Region: North East Lithuania","androapp_image_list":[{"src":"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/3-home_default\/riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.jpg","height":200}],"pwapp_post_content":"<style type=\"text\/css\">androapp img{\r\n    max-width: 100%;\r\n    height: auto;\r\n}\r\niframe{\r\n    max-width: 100%;    \r\n}\r\nfigure {\r\n    max-width: 100%;\r\n    height: auto;\r\n}\r\nimg{\r\n    max-width: 100% !important;\r\n    height: auto;\r\n}\r\ndiv {\r\n    max-width: 100% !important;\r\n}\r\nspan {\r\n    max-width:100%;\r\n    overflow: auto;\r\n}\r\naudio {\r\n    display:block;\r\n    visibility:visible !important;\r\n}\r\nvideo{\r\n    width:100%;\r\n    height:auto;\r\n}\r\n<\/style><div class='androapp'><h1><a name=\"lt3\"><\/a>[LT3] Aukshtaitija Region: North East Lithuania<\/h1>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px;\"><a name=\"lt3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px;\">\u00a0{{picLT3}}<\/p>\n<p>Very well in the reach from the capital Vilnius are the rich nature areas of the Auk\u0161taitija &#8211; literally &#8220;highlands&#8221; &#8211; in Lithuania, with the oldest national park of Lithuania<\/p>\n<h2>Links<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/search?tag=LT3+%28Auk%C5%A1taitija%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Route LT3 in the SHOP\u00a0<\/a>(English)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/search?tag=LT3+%28Auk%C5%A1taitija%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Route LT3 im online-SHOP<\/a>\u00a0(Deutsch)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Well, I know, the most cyclists try the direct connection from Vilnius to Riga.<\/p>\n<p>But that&#8217;s a route we do not recommend: it is quite boring, flat, &#8220;nothing special&#8221; leading you through industrial and agricultural areas.<\/p>\n<p>So, what we recommend is to turn a bit more to the East and visit the reach nature areas of the Auk\u0161taitija &#8211; literally &#8220;highlands&#8221; &#8211; in Lithuania, with the\u00a0<strong>oldest national park of Lithuania and the East of Latvia called &#8220;Latgale&#8221;<\/strong>. Together they build what is called &#8220;The Baltic Lakeland&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"left-block col-xs-4 col-sm-5 col-md-4\">\n<div class=\"product-image-container\"><a class=\"product_img_link\" title=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"replace-2x img-responsive\" title=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" src=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/3-home_default\/riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.jpg\" alt=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><a class=\"quick-view\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" rel=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quick view<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"center-block col-xs-4 col-sm-7 col-md-4\">\n<div class=\"product-flags\"><\/div>\n<h5><a class=\"product-name\" title=\"Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Riga-Vilnius by bicycle (PAPER COPY)<\/a><\/h5>\n<p class=\"product-desc\">North East Lithuania and South East Latvia<\/p>\n<div class=\"color-list-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"right-block col-xs-4 col-sm-12 col-md-4\">\n<div class=\"right-block-content row\">\n<div class=\"content_price col-xs-5 col-md-12\"><span class=\"price product-price\">2,00 \u20ac<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"button-container col-xs-7 col-md-12\"><a class=\"button ajax_add_to_cart_button btn btn-default\" title=\"Add to cart\" href=\"https:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/cart?add=1&amp;id_product=8&amp;token=695cc58ddd946ce6aa2cd9513851154f\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-id-product-attribute=\"0\" data-id-product=\"8\" data-minimal_quantity=\"1\" target=\"_blank\">Add to cart<\/a><a class=\"button lnk_view btn btn-default\" title=\"View\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">More<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"functional-buttons clearfix col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"wishlist\"><a class=\"addToWishlist wishlistProd_8\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/5-lithuania#\" rel=\"8 noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Add to Wishlist<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"compare\"><a class=\"add_to_compare\" href=\"http:\/\/www.balticcycle.eu\/shop3\/en\/maps-for-cycling-lithuania-latvia-estonia\/8-riga-vilnius-by-bicycle-english.html\" data-id-product=\"8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Add to Compare<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- iframe plugin v.6.0 wordpress.org\/plugins\/iframe\/ -->\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"http:\/\/www.openstreetmap.org\/?relation=232057\" title=\"Route Vilnius-Riga (Lithuanian part \/ LT3)on openstreetmap \/ opencyclemap\" width=\"600\" class=\"iframe-class\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n<!-- iframe plugin v.6.0 wordpress.org\/plugins\/iframe\/ -->\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gpsies.com\/mapFolderOnly.do?id=2795\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" class=\"iframe-class\"><\/iframe>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Pictures of this region<br \/>\n[simple_google_photos_grid album-url=&#8221;https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/Q3UMSsNdiopVNYT97&#8243; number-photos=&#8221;90&#8243; number-photos-per-row=&#8221;3&#8243; cache-interval=&#8221;120&#8243;]\nhttps:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/Q3UMSsNdiopVNYT97<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><em><strong>From the BaltiCCycle.eu Route descriptions:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Vilnius<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Lithuanian capital, occupying an area of 392 km2, is situated in the Eastern part of the country. Vilnius lies at the intersection of several geographical highlands and the confluence of the Vilna and Neris Rivers. The historical center of Vilnius, i.e. a 360 &#8211; hectare old city, is among the largest in the Eastern Europe, serving as the most valuable heritage for Lithuanian history and architecture. What more, in 1994, the old city of Vilnius was included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Some history: With the name first mentioned in the early 12<\/span><\/span><sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, Vilnius City was granted the status of city in 1323. Later on, in 1579, Vilnius witnessed the foundation of a university which was the first higher school both in the Grand Principality of Lithuania and the whole region. As a center of European culture, Vilnius was open for the nations of the East and West and, eventually it became home for Polish, Russian, Jewish, German and Karaime communities. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>VERKIAI REGIONAL PARK<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This regional park is situated to the northeast of Vilnius. Over 800 plants grow on the morainic hills and ravines in the shadow of the city. Many are rare and do not grow in any other part of Lithuania. The park boasts lakes which lie among the pine woods. because of the green color of the water they are called the \u017dalieji (Green) Lakes. Not far from the lakes is Verkiai, which was first mentioned in the records of 14<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Residences for bishops were built there in the 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. A place, rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century, now stands in the park. Vilnius Kalvarijos (Stations of the Cross), known since the 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, are in woods not far from Verkiai. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Vilnius kalvarijos (Stations of the Cross) symbolizes the way of Jesus to Golgota (known since the 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>EUROPOS PARKAS. MUSEUM SET IN NATURE<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Europos Parkas was founded in 1991 due to the initiative of Lithuanian sculptor Gintaras Karosas. The exhibition spans an area of 55 hectares and is visited by over 40,000 people annually. The goal of the museum is to give artistic significance to the geographic center (as determined by the French National Geographic Institute in 1989) of the European continent. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Open &#8211; Air Museum of the Center of Europe seeks to present the most<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">interesting creations of international artists. The sculptures are permanently exhibited amidst beautiful rolling hills, woodlands and grasslands dotted with natural springs. The yellow blossoms of the grassland in the spring time and the faded colors of the misty autumn add an atmospheric backdrop to the sculptures. This harmonious whole with the light changing as the day progresses makes a lasting impression. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The open &#8211; air museum exhibits over 70 works created by artists from Armenia, Byelorussia, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, the USA and Venezuela. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In Europos Parkas you can: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to touch the Center of Europe<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Get to know all 44 names of the European capitals and distances to them from the center of Europe<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Create harmonious interaction between nature, man and object of art, <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">see the sculpture, which appear as if it could fly. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Get lost in the Labyrinth of Memory<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to find the largest chair in the World full of water<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to meet Mexican women looking at the Moon<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">on one side of the sculpture see sunrise and on another &#8211; sunset<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">to sit under the largest web in the World<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>NEMEN\u010cIN\u0116<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">First chronicles in 1338, the town built its first church in 1387. The town planning structure as the center of a district of villages has been retained since the middle of XVI c. The town had its own parish school. Significant growth occurred after the World War II, and the town served as a regional center for a length of time. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>9th day &#8211; Saturday (22 07 2000)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>AUK\u0160TAITIJA<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You are entering Auk\u0161taitija, Lithuania&#8217;s largest region by land area. Eastern Auk\u0161taitija is hilly and dotted with lakes, whereas the western regions are characterized by plains. Auk\u0161taitija&#8217;s inhabitants are said to be merry, poetic, ambitious farming people. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Two types of multiple &#8211; voiced songs, centuries apart in age, are characteristic of Auk\u0161taitija. Ancient <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, unique to northeastern Auk\u0161taitija still survived at the beginning of the twentieth century. The verb &#8220;sutarti\u201d means to agree, to be in concord, or to sing harmoniously. Only groups of women who were quite close to one another sung <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> together. Here is the beginning portion of a simple example: This is a <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>keturine sutartine<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> song by two alternating groups of women. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Dvejines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> were sung by one pair, whereas trejines were performed canonically by three women. Approximately a third of <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartines<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> contained elements of dance. These dances were quite simple and were usually performed by three or four women as they sang the <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>sutartine<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Unique genres of singing exist in this region. These include <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>valiavimai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (hay harvesting songs performed by men), flax &#8211; working and resounding feasting songs. They were especially common in northwest Auk\u0161taitija which is also famous for its delicious home &#8211; brewed beer. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Musical instruments in Auk\u0161taitija are: small, usually five &#8211; stringed <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>kankl\u0117s<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> found in this region are the most archaic Lithuanian stringed instruments. Men played <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>skudu\u010diai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>ragai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> on their way to work in the fields, while resting during this work, or during gatherings. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Skudu\u010diai<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> are similar to disassembled pan &#8211; <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>pipes. Ragai are wooden horns which are produced in sets of five. Daudyt\u0117s differ from<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> ragai only in their form which is straighter and considerably longer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>PABRAD\u0116<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">During the second half of the XVI c. the town and several small industrial enterprises were established on the lands belonging to the Pabrad\u0117 Manor. The occupying Red Army used the town for a huge military base until 1993. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>JONI\u0160KIS<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">On the western shore of Lake Arinas is Joni\u0161kis, mentioned since the XVII century. The town features a wooden church from the middle of the XIX century. By the church is a monument built in 1928 on the occasion of the 10<\/span><\/span><sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> anniversary of regaining independence, which reminds one that in the 1930\u2019s and 1940\u2019s Joni\u0161kis was a settlement at the border of Poland.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">On the other shore of Lake Arinas is the old estate of ARNIONYS. The XIX century architectural ensemble is surrounded by a geometrically planned park declared a natural monument. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>INTURK\u0116<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">the southern edge of the Mol\u0117tai lake district, among the Lakes Galuonai, G\u0117luotas and I\u0161narai is the old town of Inturk\u0117. The XVIII c. wooden church and bell tower are an interesting monument of folk architecture. The interior of the church is beautiful, boasting quite a number of art monuments. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The wooden chapel with a belfry in the cemetery of the Rudesa village, situated near Inturk\u0117 on the western shore of Lake Baltieji Lakajai, is also an architectural monument of the XVIII-XIX c. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The environment of Inturk\u0117 is also well known for two natural monuments: a two &#8211; trunk pine-tree grows in the Kertuoja forest, while the forest of Alk\u016bnai has an old and thick oak (2.1 m in diameter, 28 m high). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>MOL\u0116TAI<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Mol\u0117tai, counting its seventh century, is situated in the center of a wonderful lake district, at a busy intersection of six roads. The river Siesartis flows through the town. In the east and the south Mol\u0117tai is surrounded by Lakes D\u016briai, Luokesa and Siesartis. Farther east lies the Lakajai lake district consisting of Lakes Bebrusai, Baltieji Lakajai, Juodieji Lakajai, Kertuoja and G\u0117luotas. The distance from Vilnius is only 63 km. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">People lived in the neighborhood of Mol\u0117tai as early as before Christ. The first mention of this settlement in historical sources dates to 1387. Mol\u0117tai has been the center of the rural district since the middle of the XIX c. The current St. Peter and Paul\u2019s neo-Baroque church was built in 1905. The downtown area features red &#8211; brick trade houses of Jews dating from the late XIX and early XX c. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Recently a cross was put up on Pavasarinink\u0173 Hill, where activities of various Catholic youth organizations used to take place between the wars. By the river Siesartis is a restored statue of St. Jonas Nepomukas. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">1991 saw the establishment of the Mol\u0117tai land museum, the hall of which house art exhibitions. The museum introduces Mol\u0117tai history, customs and places of interest. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>MIND\u016aNAI FISHERY MUSEUM<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">There are more than 300 lakes in Mol\u0117tai land, so people earning their living by fishing from of old times. In this museum ther is exhibiting fishing tools and trophies. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>10th day &#8211; Sunday (23 07 2000)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>LABANORAS REGIONAL PARK<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Labanoras regional park (LRP) is founded in 1992. It reaches a watershed of the rivers \u017deimena and \u0160ventoji. It covers an area of about 50,000 ha. LRP has 216 settlements of different types with about 1,800 inhabitants. There are 2 large reservation and 24 smaller restricted areas. Its main part is the forest of Labanoras. From the scientific, cognitive, and recreational points of view the landscape is very valuable. People like to spend their holidays on banks of such lakes as Juodieji Lakajai, Baltieji Lakajai, Aisetas, Stirnias or one of the other 250 lakes. Popular to visit are the center of Ethnocosmology, the Observatory, and the museum of fishery in Mind\u016bnai. Everybody can look around the center of Ethnocosmology and listen to lectures, or celebrate Lithuanian national feasts. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Also you visit special trees of Labanoras &#8211; the pines of Labanoras: \u201dQueen Pine\u201d, \u201cSix Labanoras Pine trees\u201d.. Such pines grow only in the forests of Labanoras. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Several fortified hills remind us of Lithuania\u2019s dramatic past, and the graves of the fighters in the 1863 uprising attest to the nation\u2019s struggle for independence, as do the postwar partisans\u2019 battles in the forests. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Also Labanoras is known for his special music instrument &#8211; the bagpipe of Labanoras. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">LRP is home for 54 species of mammals, 172 species of birds, 5 species of reptiles and 11 species of amphibians as well other species included in the Lithuanian Red Data Book. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Also Labanoras is known for his special music instrument &#8211; the bagpipe of Labanoras. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Labanoras Forest is not only a geographical but also a spiritual center of the region. The forest is rich in natural resources. One can see an Osprey gliding over the lakes and a Capercaillie in pine forests or hear a Black Grouse in the swamps. It is also possible to hear Capercaillies in the Swamps of Kanys or Didysis, and the trumpets of Cranes in bogs piercing an autumn cal m. In parts of the undergrowth one may meet a surprised Gaze of a Moose or a Roe Deer<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Salmon, Trout and Cisco are found among great numbers of common fish in the rivers and lakes. The territory of LRP is famous for its 5 mound &#8211; hills, 19 burial mounds, 4 ancient settlements, 5 ritual freedom buildings and architectural monuments, and battlefields of fights for Lithuanian<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>KALTAN\u0116NAI <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The settlement has been known of since the 16<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Kaltan\u0117nai is famous for its livestock fairs. The old square is an urban achievement. Tourists often visit the old oak tree which is considered a natural monument. There is an interesting classic &#8211; style granary still standing on the grounds of the former estate. The granary is believed to be over 100 years old.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>LINKMENYS<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The village\u2019s ancient castle of the same name has been recorded since 1357. A church was built in 1517, and the locale received official sanction to develop as a small town in 1534. At the end of the XIX c. The population had exceeded 800. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Auk\u0161taitija National Park<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Lithuania&#8217;s first national park &#8211; Auk\u0161taitija National Park &#8211; was designated in 1974 and covers an area of 40570 hectares. Over 70% of its territory is pine stands hilly terrain abounding in lakes and having ethnographic villages; it contains quite a lot of other cultural monuments. Scattered among the woods and hills are some 100 smaller and larger lakes, often interconnected by rivulets and streams. Baluo\u0161as features seven islands, one of which has a little lake of its own, feeding the Baluo\u0161as waters through a small stream. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Auk\u0161taitija National Park abound in rare plant species, including a number of plants that are listed in the Red Data Book of Lithuania and are protected as endangered species. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">There are about 100 settlements in Auk\u0161taitija National Park. Three types of architectural planning are dominant: one-street, scattered and detached. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>OLD VILLAGES<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The very first settlements were mentioned in the 14<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century: Stripeikiai &#8211; in 1357, Linkmenys and Gaveik\u0117nai &#8211; in 1377. After the Valakas Land Reform in the second half of the 16<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, one-street villages became predominant. Farmsteads are distributed next to each other on one or both sides of the street. A dwelling house stands perpendicular to the street on one line with the cattle &#8211; shed behind it. In front of the dwelling house the granary and the cellar forms the another line. The barn stands far behind. This kind of planning is typical for Ginu\u010diai, Vai\u0161ni\u016bnai, Meironys and Gaveik\u0117nai. The most interesting are \u0160akali\u0161k\u0117 and Kretuonys &#8211; which is state protected ethnographic village. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Smaller settlements appeared in the 18<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. So &#8211; called \u201cu\u017eusieniai\u201d- settler farms &#8211; gave rise to the m. Settlers mostly were foresters and their families. Those settlements were spreading and grew up into villages. A small number of farmsteads, free siting of buildings and the absence of clear street &#8211; network are typical features for this kind of settlement. A dwelling, a granary and a cattle &#8211; shed form the central core of the farmstead. Barns usually lay beyond these. Due to the authenticity of architecture, five ethnographic villages are protected by the state; those are: \u0160uminai, Strazdai, Vai\u0161nori\u0161k\u0117s, Salos II and Varni\u0161k\u0117s II. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In 1909, after the Stolypin Land Reform, some villages were transferred into detached farmsteads. The best examples for detached farm villages are Pelakas, Pabir\u017e\u0117, Dar\u017eeliai and Gineiti\u0161kis. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>STRAZDAI. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">A place of rare beauty, protruding from the water are 7 islands, one of which has a lake of its own. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When the village was mentioned for the first time in 1783, it had name of Balo\u0161ekuliai. Since 1798 it has had the present name which comes from the family of foresters who lived there. The village was famous for its barn theater. For some time it was like a cultural center for peasants. Three dwellings and two barns are left from the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Thatch &#8211; the traditional roof cover &#8211; was changed to shingles and wood planks at the beginning of the 20<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>STRIPEIKIAI<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> This is the oldest village in the park. It was mentioned for the first time in 1357. Later it belonged to the Labanoras Estate of the Vilnius Bishop. At present in the village the Ancient Apiculture Museum is located. Buildings of the museum are built in traditional style, roofs are covered with thatch. The Tauragn\u0117l\u0117 River runs through the village and the sky-blue Lake \u0160aminis lies there.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b> BEE-KEEPING MUSEUM <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">in a farmstead on a small hill in Stripeikiai. The museum exhibition are supplements by artistic and cognitive wood sculptures which depict various scenes from the life of a bee-keeper.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>\u0160UMINAI<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> For the very first time this village was mentioned as Pabaluo\u0161\u0117 in 1784, although the first farmstead appeared there much earlier. Later it got named from the family which lived there. Currently all families in the village have the surname of \u0160uminai. 300 years old pine-tree, standing in the center of the village, remember its history. There are many maples &#8211; it makes this place very attractive during the autumn season. The most interesting old building is the barn with a dry-house. Its wooden hinges tell about construction in ancient times. One dwelling is presented to visitors as a fisherman\u2019s home. The movie about the \u201cLithuanian Robin Hood\u201d &#8211; Tadas Blinda &#8211; was filmed in \u0160uminai. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>KRETUONYS<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">. The abundance of archeological findings and monuments testifies that people in this area had been living here since the 1<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">st<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> millennium B.C. The village was founded during the Valakas Land Reform in the 16<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; 17<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Kretuonys is a one &#8211; street village with strip &#8211; plots, built &#8211; in on one side of the street. The most interesting buildings are considered granaries with little balconies and other traditional buildings erected in the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Several hundred &#8211; year &#8211; old trees decorate the environment of the village. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>VARNI\u0160K\u0116S II. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The four Varni\u0161k\u0117s villages are located on the eastern &#8211; end of Lake Tauragnas. More than 300 years old, Varni\u0161k\u0117s II preserved its previous appearance. Barns with dry &#8211; houses, granaries and a smithy have remained since the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. There are some very old trees in the village. The oldest oak and linden &#8211; tree are preserved as nature monuments. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>SALOS II. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Two villages have the name of Salos. Both of them are located in the peninsula surrounded by lakes Asalnyk\u0161tis, Linkmenas, Alksnas and Alksnaitis. The only way to the peninsula is from Antalksn\u0117. Historical sources show the family of Kudabos had been living in the Salos II settlement, which latter grew up into a village. Descendants of this family currently live there. Due to the unique architecture, the village has been declared as a Cultural Reserve. Unfortunately only the dwelling and the granary survived from the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. Other buildings were built in the beginning of the 20<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century. It is possible to get there by foot from Ladakalnis crossing the bridge over the stream which connects the lakes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>DAR\u017dELIAI. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">On the way to Antalksn\u0117 from Linkmenys, one branch &#8211; road to the left leads to Dar\u017eeliai. One would find here no village, but only a few isolated farmsteads. There is the Linkmenys Mound right next to it. Local people sometimes call this mound \u201cPilal\u0117\u201d. It is the best place to observe the Benediktavas Landscape Reserve.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>PAL\u016a\u0160\u0116. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">A village, which is the tourist center of the Auk\u0161taitija National Park, was first mentioned in written sources in 1651. It still boasts an octagonal wooden church dating back to 1757.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Other places of Interest:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>GINU\u010cIAI. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It is believed that Ginu\u010diai Hill was the setting for Linkm\u0117nai Castle, which was destroyed by the knights of the Sword in 1373. The hill has recently been cleaned up, and steps have been constructed on its slopes. From the top of the hill there is a nice view of the surroundings area. There is an old <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>water-mill in Ginu\u010diai<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> which people say is known for the pranks of devils. Apparently, evil spirits used to spill bags of grain and steal horses from people who were riding by\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not far from Ginu\u010diai looms the famous <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>LADAKALNIS <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&#8211; a hill among the lakes which serves as a unique survey tower. From the top of the hill, there are lakes separated by bluish folds of forests as far as the eye can see.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You can look around the Miller\u201ds Museum arranged in an old 19th century water mill. If you are brave enough you can check whether devils are still living there.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>IGNALINA<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Town of Ignalina, the administrative center, is located 110 km. from Vilnius and 63 km. from Utena. The name is connected to a legend about lovers Ignas and Lina from a Lithuanian folk tale. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Region was populated during the Stone Age, with remnants from early camps discovered throughout the countryside. On the Rudakampis Peninsula, stood wooden castle, burnt by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Near the Winter Sports Center, there are mounds (9-12<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century), which according to the legends were &#8220;poured together with the caps of Napoleon&#8217;s soldiers. &#8220;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When Lithuania was under Russian rule in the 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> century, the Russian emperor ordered a railway line built from St. Petersburg to Warsaw via Vilnius. Ignalina became an important railway station in the1860&#8217;s, which triggered a dynamic development of the region. During the World War I, Germany required that another railway line be built from Ignalina towards the front line. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Unfortunately, the old Jewish Synagogue and Orthodox Church, as well as a wooden railway station (built in 1886) have not survived. Therefore, the oldest building here is the stone tower of the railway station, dating back to 1872. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Now Ignalina and the District encompass over 200 lakes. The City is surrounded by lakes, and topped with the forested Vilkakalnis Hill (208 m), upon which are TV and fire towers. Small roads and trails connect the lakes and nearby forests. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Ignalina Region is a miniature version of Lithuania, with 1\/3 of the area covered with beautiful forests and with over 200 lakes, filled with 30 varieties of fish. Opportunities for both summer and winter recreation are unlimited. The largest portion of the Auk\u0161taitija National Park, founded in 1974 to protect the Eastern Lithuanian natural, cultural and historical heritage, is located here. There are also 12 regional parks and 4 unique historical villages.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>ATTRACTIONS of Ignalina:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Ignas and Lina Memorial<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &#8211; 5 m. wooden sculpture carved by G.\u010cernius depicting the legend of Ignalina<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Memorial Cross to the Exiled<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (near the train station) -19 m. wooden sculpture carved by J. Jak\u0161tas<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Ethnocultural Center<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Taikos 11) &#8211; traditional and contemporary folk art exhibits, historical information. Sales gallery and handicraft shop.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>St.Mary\u2019s Church<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Ba\u017eny\u010dios a.) &#8211; noted modern structure designed by R. Kri\u0161tapavi\u010dius.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Public Beach<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Gavys Lake, Turist\u0173 g.) &#8211; sand, large docks, water slide and food concession.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Lithuania Winter Sports Center<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Sporto g.) &#8211; Beach and boat rentals on \u017daliasis (Siek\u0161tys) Lake; tennis courts; 7.5 km. paved hiking, bicycle and ski trail, 50 m. ski jump; 50 m. downhill ski slopes with 130 m. tow and 278 m. trail; caf\u00e9 and overnight accommodations. Ski and boat rentals available.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>TARZAN<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, 1 km. north on east side of road to Visaginas. Residence of Lithuania\u2019s own Tarzan who tells educational stories and demonstrates his skills in nature and photography.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">in Visaginas.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"lt-LT\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Library<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> (Atgimimo &#8211; located in a former church), interesting woodwork, reading room.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>","pwapp_post_content_type":"postprocessed","pwapp_preview_type":"excerpt","androapp_failover_post_content_type":"","share_text":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija Region: North East Lithuania\nvia https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/lt3-aukstaitija\/","supercache":"androappsupercache","post_categories":[{"id":1,"count":447,"description":"","name":"Uncategorized","slug":"uncategorized","parent":0}],"post_tags":[{"id":77,"count":4,"description":"","name":"[:en]Cycling in Lithuania[:de]Radfahren in Litauen[:]","slug":"lithuania","parent":0},{"id":220,"count":6,"description":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Northeast Lithuania \/ Riga-Vilnius by bicycle","name":"[LT3] Auk\u0161taitija \/ Northeast Lithuania \/ Riga-Vilnius by bicycle","slug":"lt3","parent":0},{"id":205,"count":2,"description":"","name":"aukstaitija nationalpark","slug":"aukstaitija-nationalpark","parent":0},{"id":273,"count":3,"description":"","name":"Riga-Vilnius","slug":"riga-vilnius","parent":0},{"id":231,"count":2,"description":"","name":"VeloVilnius","slug":"velovilnius","parent":0},{"id":267,"count":1,"description":"","name":"Vilnius by bicycle","slug":"vilnius-by-bicycle","parent":0}],"post_author":"admin","post_author_avatar_urls":{"24":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1200e688b817528f69cc83f0d043134f?s=24&d=mm&r=g","48":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1200e688b817528f69cc83f0d043134f?s=48&d=mm&r=g","96":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1200e688b817528f69cc83f0d043134f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"post_comment_count":0,"image":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-672x372.png","thumb":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-100x62.png","thumb_medium":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m.png","images":{"medium_large":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-768x480.png","1536x1536":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m.png","2048x2048":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m.png","woocommerce_thumbnail":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-200x200.png","woocommerce_single":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m.png","woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-100x100.png","shop_catalog":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-200x200.png","shop_single":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m.png","shop_thumbnail":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/files\/2019\/11\/LT3m-100x100.png"},"post_title":"[:de][LT3] Auk\u0161taitija (Nord-Ost-Litauen)[:en][LT3] Auk\u0161taitija Region: North East Lithuania [:]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":557,"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions\/557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velovilnius.lt\/balticcycle\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}