The centerpiece of Aukštaitija national park

The centerpiece of Aukštaitija national park – Anykščiai

If you asked any Lithuanian how famous the Anykščiai region was, many would speak for a long time. It is the birthplace of the poet Antanas Baranauskas, writers Jonas Biliūnas, Antanas Vienuolis, and many other prominent people. It is famous for its beautiful landscape, forests little touched by humans, 20 mounds, including the famous Voruta, on which the castle of King Mindaugas of Lithuania (13th century) is believed to have stood.

People come to the Anykščiai district to see the Horse Museum, which was opened in 1978. It was founded in Niūroniai village by agronomist Professor Petras Vasinauskas. It contains not only horse-drawn implements and vehicles but also unique collections of carvings, horse stories, military expositions. Crafts are presented in the museum, a weaver, a potter and a baker, a blacksmith, and a woodcarver work here. It is possible to go horseback riding, ride with a carriage, and swing with swings in the territory of the museum.

Most of the guests of Anykščiai like to visit Anykščiai Forest, famous for A. Baranauskas’ poem “Anykščiai Forest” – a landscape reserve of 1800 ha, with many wavy hills and streams. The forest starts from the southern boundaries of the city and extends for about 1 km on both sides of the Šventoji river for almost 9 km.

The Tree crown trail is the first in Eastern Europe. The trail stretches for 300 meters at the level of tree crowns and rises to a height of 21 m. There are 13 stops on the trail, which are designed to feel the charm of A. Baranauskas’s poem. At the fourteenth stop, at the very top of the observation tower (34 m), the whole panorama of the Sventoji river bend opens before your eyes. This trail can be walked all year round.

Also one of the most visited places – “Light of Happiness” – the impressive writer J. Biliūnas tombstone at the top of Liudiškės hill. It is a 14 m high (architect V. Gabriūnas) monument – a monument made of carved stones of Anykščiai area. In the miraculous tale of the same name, the writer tells of a radiant magical inscription appearing on the top of a high steep mountain – one who climbs that mountain and reaches the inscription by hand will make all people happy and turn himself into a stone.

The second-largest in Lithuania Puntukas stone, according to the legend, not only the glaciers carried stone, but it was also carried by the devil to destroy the Anykščiai church. However, the rooster crowed, the devil released Puntukas from his nails, and the stone fell into a forest. The bas-reliefs were carved on the stone of Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas, the pilots who flew across the Atlantic Ocean with the Lituanca airplane, and the words of their will are engraved here.

St. Matthew’s Church is the tallest two-tower church in Lithuania – its towers reach a height of 79 m. This neo-Gothic red brick church was designed by architect N. Andrejev. Anykščiai church is impressive not only from the outside. Inside it is spacious and bright, adorned with wood-carved altars and a pulpit, impressive stained glass “Saint Matthew”. In 1999 one of the best organs in Lithuania was installed here. They can be listened to, not only during god services but also concerts of sacred music and international competitions of young organists take place in the church. Anykščiai Church is also exceptional for its observation deck, which was installed with EU support in the right tower of the church at a height of 33 m. After climbing the 186 steps, you can enjoy the wonderful panorama of Anykščiai.

Inhabitants of Anykščiai love the river Šventoji in their city very much. This is where many waters tourists travel. EU support funds were used to build marinas on the Sventoji coast, including wooden ones. Also, this beautiful coast is suitable for active and passive recreation: tidy beaches, bathing areas.

Many more interesting places await us in this city: the narrow railway Museum, the Cosmos Milkyway, the only one in the Baltics (mirrors, lights, and music create the illusion of infinite space), and the Museum of Angels, and the Summer Sled Attraction! Burbiškės manor, Rubikiai observation tower, the exhibition of stone painting by folk artist S. Petraška.

The culinary heritage of Anykščiai region is a member of the European Culinary Heritage Network. In the cafe “Pasagėlė” (Niūronys) dishes are made from products grown by local farmers, you can enjoy potato croissants, homemade bread, and kvass here. Educational programs about the food of Anykščiai region are being organized in the nearby barn.

Cafe-bar “Šaltinis”. Here dishes are prepared according to ancient traditions, which are included in the culinary heritage (Kavarskas dumplings). Educational program: Sitting at the table in the ethnographic homestead of the Horse Museum in the traditional house of Aukštaitija region, you will hear about the path of bread from the sowing of rye to a slice of bread. Everyone will take home their formed and baked loaf of bread.