Discover Leliūnai: Churches and Nature

The present-day church was built in 1905. A second wooden church was commissioned by the estate owner Juozas Pomarnackas in 1788. The Leliūnai Museum of Sacred Art is located at Kauno g. 27. The Ąžuolijos Forest and the linear Ąžuolija Nature Trail are nearby.

The two construction dates place the town’s church history in different periods: in 1788, Juozas Pomarnackas, the estate owner of Leliūnai, commissioned a second wooden church. Its dimensions are given as 12 × 28 m². The present-day church dates from 1905. These dates offer a concrete starting point if you are particularly interested in architectural history during your trip.

The Leliūnai Museum of Sacred Art is located at Kauno g. 27 in Leliūnai. If you are planning a visit, check access in advance.

Leliūnai stretches along both sides of the historic postal road. Its route now corresponds to the A6 Kaunas–Zarasai–Daugpilis highway. The town’s description thus brings together a historic transport connection and a modern highway. For orientation, it is important to note that the town extends on both sides of the road.

The Ąžuolijos Forest is located in Leliūnų seniūnija, an administrative district. It belongs to the northern subregion of the Central European broadleaf forests; oak, aspen, ash and lime trees are the predominant species. In 2001, a 68.2-hectare section of the forest was designated the Ąžuolija municipal botanical-zoological protected area by decision of the Utena District Council.

The Ąžuolija Nature Trail is also located in Leliūnų seniūnija. Its approximately 1.6-kilometre route is linear, not a loop. For the return, take the same path or alternatively use the 2.4-kilometre Tylos takas. Visitors can reach 14 points along the marked route. The distance information helps you compare the trails; the shorter distance refers to the nature trail, not a loop that returns to the starting point.

A 13th-century castle belonging to Daumantas, Duke of Nalšia, is believed to have stood near Narkūnai. A settlement developed by the castle and is considered the origin of the city of Utena; in 1433, it was burned down by the Livonian Order. Narkūnai Castle Hill is on the left bank of the Utenaitė stream. Its steep slopes are 13 to 14 metres high.

Discover more destinations: Serapiniškė, Rimšė, Anykščiai, Girsteitiškis, Antalgė, Kirdeikiai, Alanta and Balninkai.

Is the Ąžuolija Nature Trail a loop?

No. The approximately 1.6-kilometre trail is linear. For the return, you can take the same path or use the 2.4-kilometre Tylos takas as an alternative return route.

What characterises the Ąžuolijos Forest?

The forest is located in Leliūnų seniūnija and belongs to the northern subregion of the Central European broadleaf forests. The predominant tree species include oak, aspen, ash and lime. In 2001, a 68.2-hectare section of the forest was designated the Ąžuolija municipal botanical-zoological protected area.

What is known about Narkūnai Castle Hill?

The steep slopes, 13 to 14 metres high, are on the left bank of the Utenaitė stream. A castle belonging to Daumantas, Duke of Nalšia, is believed to have stood there in the 13th century; the settlement that developed by it is considered the origin of Utena.

For the broader travel overview: Utena District.