The charm of Pakruojis manor

The charm of Kėdainiai town and Pakruojis manor

Driving towards Northern Lithuania, we will first visit Kėdainiai located in the center of Lithuania. Kėdainiai is an exceptional town in central Lithuania, located next to the sixth largest river in Lithuania – the Nevėžis. It is one of the seven towns in Lithuania with a cozy, beautiful and compact Old Town. The legacy of various cultures and other unique objects in Kėdainiai region will inevitably leave great impression.

We will visit the Old Town of Kėdainiai, which is sometimes called an open-air museum with its rich history. The old network of streets, shopping squares, 15th-19th sacral, residential, public buildings have survived here.

In Kėdainiai we will visit the Evangelical Reformed Church, There we will see the details of the 17th such as: oak pulpit, richly ornamented with intricate carvings, oak panels in the side niches and an impressive chandelier. Due to its majestic architecture, this church was called a cathedral. The mausoleum of the Radvila family was founded under it. The mausoleum of the nobles of the 17th century Grand Duchy of Lithuania was restored and arranged.

We will visit the first market square of Kėdainiai, named the Old Market. It is believed that the first Town Hall stood here, next to the synagogues. In Kėdainiai we will see the only Jazz street in Lithuania, which the people of Kėdainiai call “Džiazova”, so jazz lovers must visit here.

We will see Kėdainiai Light Gymnasium or Gymnasium Illuster in Latin, opened in the 17th. Renowned European researchers worked on, curricula developed using state-of-the-art methods. The owners of the town sought to establish a Protestant high school here, so the decoration of the gymnasium is the inner courtyard under a glass dome, surrounded by arches, often reminiscent of Vilnius University.

After an excursion around the unforgettable city, we will have to taste a typical ancient dish of this Lithuanian region – dumplings.  They make even 15 types of dumplings. You will hear about the traditions of their production, based on the old Lithuanian customs.

We will continue to Pakruojis manor in the Pakruojis region in the northern part of Lithuania, famous for its dolomite mines, deep brewing traditions, cuisine of nobles and unique stories. Most Lithuanians are familiar with the surroundings of the manor from the legendary marches of the legendary outlaw and folk hero, „the Leveller of the World“ Tadas Blinda, who originated in this region. The classic-style Pakruojis manor is the largest surviving manor house complex in Lithuania, included into the Lithuanian Register of Cultural Heritage Objects and the Lithuanian Record Book as the largest protected monument homestead.

The ensemble of Pakruojis manor homestead differs stylistically from other Lithuanian manors. Here we will see the most impressive and largest building of the manor house – an ornate two-storey palace, standing in the middle of the park. Landscape of the manor park, the structure of which dates from the 19th century surviving until now, was formed according to the English tradition. The ensemble of the manor homestead is decorated with a unique arch bridge over the River Kruoja. There are only two bridges of this style in Europe. This bridge is the only dolomite building of late classicism in Lithuania and it is one of the most suitable places for romantic walks. Every year, Pakruojis Manor invites visitors to its flower sculpture or large Chinese lantern festivals.