Raseiniai District Municipality: Discover Nature and Culture

• Since 2009, the birthplace of Simonas Stanevičius in the village of Kanopėnai has been a branch of the Raseinių krašto istorijos muziejus.
• Objects relating to the life and work of the writer Simonas Tadas Stanevičius (1799–1848), along with ethnographic collections, are displayed there. The specific display may change.
• The Dubysa Regional Park visitor centre offers the “Vaistinė po kojomis” programme, featuring medicinal plants, the preparation of herbal blends and a tea tasting. Check current availability before your trip.
• In the wider travel area of Kaunas District, the Dubysa Valley and its tributary valleys are among the defining landscape features.

The birthplace in Kanopėnai is affiliated as a branch of the Raseinių krašto istorijos muziejus. The focus is on objects relating to the life and work of Simonas Tadas Stanevičius (1799–1848), who is commemorated as a writer. The exhibition also includes ethnographic collections. Literary history and ethnographic holdings thus come together at this site—a specific point of interest for travellers interested in both. The objects on display may change.

“Vaistinė po kojomis” introduces medicinal plants, includes the preparation of herbal blends and features a tea tasting. Its focus is clearly different from the collection at the birthplace: here, the emphasis is on plants and herbs, while there, it is on objects relating to a writer’s life and ethnographic collections. If you would like to include the programme in your travel plans, confirm its current availability before you arrive.

In Kaunas District, Kaunas Castle offers guided tours and educational programmes. It is the city’s oldest historical landmark and one of Lithuania’s oldest brick castles; it was built in the mid-14th century. Exhibitions in the restored and reconstructed tower present the castle’s history, important historical facts and figures, changes to its walls, and the evolution of its functions from the 14th century to the present day.

Another way to explore history awaits at Raudondvaris Manor Castle, a Renaissance architectural monument dating from the early 17th century in Lithuania. The interactive audio tour “Dramaturas”, created with artificial intelligence, takes visitors through the history of the manor and the romantic tragedy of Žygimantas Augustas and Barbora Radvilaitė. Its 14 stops pass through halls, cellars and the park, as well as the surrounding manor ensemble. As the tour operates seasonally, check in advance whether it will be running when you visit.

The nature attractions in this wider travel area are also varied. Obelynė Botanical Park was established by naturalist Tadas Ivanauskas in Akademija, Kaunas District. Kadagių Valley is a five-hectare slope on the Kaunas Lagoon, covered with wild-growing common juniper, and is part of Kaunas Lagoon Regional Park.

In the upper part of Kadagių Valley, a 1.3-kilometre educational trail was created along the edge of the steep slope in 2010. It offers panoramas of the widened Nemunas, Dabinta Island and striking geological outcrops. Educational and health trails ranging from 2 to 17 kilometres are also listed for Kaunas District. The Šaltinių Trail consists of routes from 2.6 to 6 kilometres through the pine forest of Kačerginė, with viewpoints over the Nemunas; the routes lead to Pypliai Hill and back. The trail opened on 8 September 2026. These length figures describe different trail options, from a single educational trail to longer routes.

The Dubysa Valley in the wider Kaunas District is also one of Lithuania’s most scenic erosional valleys. The natural and settlement complexes and cultural heritage sites of the regional park are closely linked to the Dubysa and the valleys of its tributaries. In this regional setting, river landscapes sit alongside cultural sites and hiking trails, with options ranging from a 1.3-kilometre route to trails several kilometres long.

Discover more destinations: Viduklė, Nemakščių seniūnija, Milašaičiai and Raseiniai; Kauno rajono savivaldybė, Kaišiadorys District Municipality, Prienų rajono savivaldybė and Jurbarkas District Municipality.

What is on display at Simonas Stanevičius’ birthplace?

Objects relating to the life and work of the writer Simonas Tadas Stanevičius (1799–1848), along with ethnographic collections, are on display. The specific display may change.

What does “Vaistinė po kojomis” include?

The programme at the Dubysa Regional Park visitor centre introduces medicinal plants, includes the preparation of herbal blends and features a tea tasting. Confirm current availability before your trip.

What different trail lengths are listed for Kaunas District?

The educational trail in Kadagių Valley is 1.3 kilometres long. Educational and health trails in Kaunas District range from 2 to 17 kilometres; the Šaltinių Trail routes are 2.6 to 6 kilometres long.

See the wider travel guide: Kaunas District.