Kelmė District Municipality: Cultural Heritage and Lakes

• The late Baroque church in Kražiai was built between 1757 and 1763 and is regarded throughout Lithuania as a symbol of the defence of Catholicism and Lithuanian identity.
• The nature trail at Lake Giliaus is 3.3 kilometres long and runs along the lakeshore.
• The Užventis Regional History Museum has been housed in a restored manor granary since 1973.
• The Kelmė Manor ensemble is state-protected cultural heritage.

In Kražiai, two distinct chapters in the history of education sit alongside the religious heritage. The late Baroque Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary has two towers and is open to tourists. Visitor arrangements may change, so check in advance if you plan to include a visit in your itinerary. Also in Kražiai, the Jesuit Collegiate School was founded in 1616 as the most important educational and religious centre in Žemaitija. The surviving building of the former school dates from the early 17th century.

Kelmė Manor is considered a rare surviving example of a Lithuanian Baroque manor estate and is state-protected cultural heritage. The Kelmė Manor Museum presents Lithuania’s only exhibition on the cultures of Indigenous peoples of the Americas; exhibition content may change. In Tytuvėnai, the church and monastery ensemble is described as an original art monument in the art-historical context of northeastern Europe, owing to its artistic appearance and combination of architectural styles. Kubiliai Hill, also known as Birutkalnis, has a long history too: it is dated from the first millennium to the beginning of the second millennium.

The Užventis Regional History Museum covers the history of the town of Užventis. It has been housed in the restored granary of Užventis Manor since 1973. Bookable educational programmes include making your own soap and minting a coin. As availability may change, it is advisable to confirm that the programme can be booked for your dates.

At the Tytuvėnai Regional Park Visitor Centre, visitors can get information about the park’s attractions, protected values and available services. The exhibition “From the Flight of the Crane” features a film about cranes, a crane’s nest, a beaver lodge and bird calls. It also includes objects recovered from the depths of Lakes Giliaus and Bridvaišis. As exhibition content may change, ask about the current offering before your visit if you have a particular interest. An educational activity there also explores the forest and its ecosystem, forest spirits and sounds, birds, forest use and edible forest products; the programme offering may change as well.

Lake Giliaus is notable for its distinctive colour and great variety of plants and animals. The 3.3-kilometre nature trail follows the ever-changing lakeshore. It offers a clearly defined route for discovering the lakeside landscape, while the lake itself provides another focus with its natural features.

A wake park at Lake Bridvaišis in Tytuvėnai offers wakeboarding. If you plan this activity, check in advance whether it will be available on your visit date; operating hours and equipment may change. Another way to include natural heritage in your itinerary is the nature route through Kelmė District. It features eight unique natural heritage sites; the route may be revised. Check that the listed stops are still current before planning your visit.

At the monastery church in Palendriai, anyone interested can enter and pray together with the monks. This is a specific spiritual experience, distinct from the art-historical themes in Kražiai and Tytuvėnai. In Butkiškės, the Naujoji Gokula community holds camps, retreats and well-known Vaishnava festivals every year. If a particular event is important to your trip, confirm the current dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Kukečių Eldership, Vijurkai, Joniškis District Municipality, Pakruojis District Municipality, Šiauliai District Municipality, Radviliškis District Municipality and Akmenė District Municipality.

Can you visit the church in Kražiai?

Yes. Tourists can visit the two-towered late Baroque Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Visitor arrangements may change; check in advance if you are planning a visit.

What can you see at Lake Giliaus?

The lake is known for its distinctive colour and diversity of plants and animals. The nature trail is 3.3 kilometres long and follows the ever-changing lakeshore.

What does the Užventis Museum offer?

The Regional History Museum presents material about the history of the town of Užventis. Bookable educational programmes include, among other things, making your own soap and minting a coin. Availability should be confirmed for your preferred date.

Can visitors join the prayers in Palendriai?

Yes. At the monastery church in Palendriai, anyone interested can enter and pray together with the monks.

Go to the main travel overview: Šiauliai County.