Jurbarkas District Municipality

• The national “Castles and Manor Houses” route includes the Veliuona and Jurbarkas manor houses, as well as Raudonė and Panemunė castles.
• A 70-kilometer stretch of Road 141 from Seredžius to Viešvilė runs through Jurbarkas District; various cultural heritage sites lie along the route.
• The Viešvilė educational hiking trail is 4 kilometers long and has several information boards.
• Cultural attractions include Raudonė and Panemunė castles, as well as St. George’s Church in Skirsnemunė.

The national “Castles and Manor Houses” route includes sites in Veliuona and Jurbarkas, as well as Raudonė and Panemunė castles. Its thematic scope brings together manor-house culture and gastronomy with nature, history, educational activities and entertainment. The route is therefore suited to travelers who want to include a range of cultural and landscape themes in their trip, rather than visiting individual buildings alone.

Another point of reference is the 70-kilometer stretch of Road 141 from Seredžius to Viešvilė in Jurbarkas District. Cultural heritage sites along this stretch include hill forts, manor houses, castles and churches. The “Castles and Manor Houses” route and the road section are separate descriptions, so the places and stretches mentioned should not automatically be treated as the same route.

Raudonė Castle was built in the late 16th century by Krišpinas Kiršenšteinas. He was a scribe at Kaunas Castle who had grown wealthy through the timber trade; the building was completed in 1600. A notable feature is its 33.5-meter-high tower with an observation platform. From there, you can take in views of the park and surrounding area.

Panemunė Castle was built between 1604 and 1610 as a Renaissance manor residence. Its history as a residence distinguishes it, in this account, from Raudonė, whose construction is associated with Kiršenšteinas and the timber trade. A 15-hectare landscaped park with five ponds surrounds Panemunė Castle.

The Panemunė Castle Museum features an exhibition of the interiors of the state apartments of the rulers of the Principality of Žemaitija. It also houses the only surviving and restored 18th-century manor-house kitchen in Lithuania. Visitors interested in historic living and reception rooms will find a different perspective on manor-house history here than by viewing the castle and landscaped park.

The brick neo-Gothic St. George’s Church stands in Skirsnemunė. It was built in 1903 on the initiative of the parish priest Kazimieras Žekevičius (1840–1926). Visitors can also see an old bell in the church: H. Bedeker cast it in 1632; it is cracked and no longer in use. The church’s construction history and the bell offer two specific points of interest for a cultural visit.

The Viešvilė educational hiking trail is another option for a walk. It is 4 kilometers long and has several information boards. Jurbarkas Manor Park offers a different setting for spending time outdoors: the park covers about 9 hectares and is easily accessible via a footbridge next to the outdoor stage.

When looking for a hotel in Jurbarkas District Municipality, you could first consider which themes you want to shape your stay: castle and manor-house history, the exhibition at Panemunė Castle, the church in Skirsnemunė or a hike in Viešvilė. This helps you choose places to visit based on your interests, without combining the different sites into a single sightseeing itinerary.

For comparison with other destinations, you can also find information about Kaunas District Municipality, Kaišiadorys District Municipality, Jonava District Municipality, Prienai District Municipality, Raseiniai District Municipality and Kėdainiai District Municipality.

How long is the Viešvilė hiking trail?

The Viešvilė educational hiking trail is 4 kilometers long and has several information boards.

Which sites are included in the “Castles and Manor Houses” route?

It includes the Veliuona and Jurbarkas manor houses, as well as Raudonė and Panemunė castles.

What can you see at the Panemunė Castle Museum?

The museum features an exhibition of the interiors of the state apartments of the rulers of the Principality of Žemaitija, as well as the only surviving and restored 18th-century manor-house kitchen in Lithuania.

For the broader travel overview: Kaunas County.