EXPERIENCE LITHUANIAN ŽIEMGALA! JONIŠKIS LAND
Semigallia is a historical region that once was stretching across Latvian and Lithuanian territories. It is popular for its historical heritage of Semigallian tribes. Nowadays, the Lithuanian part of Semigallia is an unofficial subregion of Aukštaitija, that stretches across some of the Latvian areas that are close to the border. This region is united by the mutual heritage of tribal origin, history and its relics, as well as the rebellious Semigallian spirit. The largest city in the old Lithuanian tribe of Semigallia is Joniškis. The city is titled as the capital of the present-day Lithuanian part of Semigallia. We invite you to experience Semigallian spirit of Joniškis district.
1. FOLLOW HISTORICAL NATURE PATHS
RIDGE AND 2ND MOUND (ŽVELGAITIS HILL) OF ŽAGARĖ
Žagarė Ridge is a long, narrow formation of sand and gravel, formed by glaciers. This is one of the NATURA 2000 sites in Žagarė Regional Park. While travelling you can admire the picturesque nature, observe the birds, animals or insects, and camp out. The 3,6-kilometre long cognitive walkway of Žagarė Ridger will introduce visitors to the values of nature. There are gazebos, observation towers, information stands, fireplaces, a basketball court, beach volleyball court, car parks, outdoor toilets, changing rooms, and many more. The second mound of Žagarė, called by local people Žvelgaitis Hill, is one of stops in Žagarė Ridge cognitive walkway. According to local people, the legendary castle of Lithuanian duke Žvelgaitis was standing on the mound in the XIII century. The sources of history tell us that the Semigallians, who lived there, executed the duke Žvelgaitis for attacks on foreign lands… According to archaeologists, in the XIII-XV century there may have been a wooden castle of the Archbishop of Riga and later of Livonian Order. In XVI–VIII century the old manor of Žagarė, which belonged to Syrevičius and Umiastauskiai families, was located on the mound.
2. HAVE A MAGNIFICENT NATURE WALK
COGNITIVE WALKWAY OF MŪŠA TYRELIS
Mūša Tyrelis swamp is an impressive corner of nature in Žagarė Regional Park. It is still untouched by human. Cognitive Walkway of Mūšos Tyrelis was opened in 2015 and it is the longest known walkway in the swamps that was included in the Lithuanian Book of Records. The total length of the walkway to one side is 4480 metres. The entire walkway stretches more than 8 kilometres. The walkway is located in the exclusive natural area – the Mūša Tyrelis Telmological Reserve. This natural complex in Northern Lithuania consists of several types of swamps, peatlands and wetlands. The rivers Mūša and Juodupis, the natural Miknaičiai lake and several other small lakes are floating in the swamp. The reserve is included in the NATURA 2000 list. Cognitive walkway of Mūša Tyrelis can also be visited independently, without the escorts of the staff of Žagarė Regional Park. But you should not forget – smoking is forbidden there !
3. DISCOVER THE MYSTERIOUS SWAMP
WOODLAND FAE OF MŪŠOS TYRELIS
While exploring the Cognitive Walkway of Mūšos Tyrelis you might meet one of the oldest creatures of the Baltic mythology – Laumė (Woodland Fae). Laumė has gathered a rich dowry of wisdom of stories about the formation of the swamp, plants, wildlife, swamp mythology and legends. Laumė of Mūšos Tyrelis will willingly let you enter the oasis of peace – her farmstead is located near Mūšos Tyrelis. You will be able to see the place where she lives. She will definitely offer to you to test out your strength in different workshops, show you the gorgeous swamp places where strange, unexplained phenomena take place. And if you get tired, you can take a rest inside her house.
4.HEAR ABOUT RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE
JONIŠKIS MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND CULTURE
Visitors of Joniškis History and Culture Museum can see expositions and get to know the history, archaeology, ethnic culture and folk art of Semigallia region. Here you can see the relics of the old Semigallian household and warfare, the reconstruction of clothes, and learn the most interesting historical facts from the old times up to nowadays.
5.GET TO KNOW CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
VISITORS‘ CENTRE OF ŽAGARĖ REGIONAL PARK
Visitors’ Centre of Žagarė Regional Park is located in Žagarė Manor, where you can learn everything about the history of the area, nature heritage and cherishing of Semigallian Žagarė. There is a school of nature, unique expositions “Dolomite Mysteries” and “History of Žagarė Region” (the last one prepared by J. Kazlauskas, Joniškis Honorary Citizen and a historian of the region), and various exhibitions are presented. Expositions at Visitors’ Centre will tell you about a trip by “Time River”, as well as about the hunt, new mansion in Žagarė, people who have lived here for over 200 years, local crafts, horses of Žagarė, natural treasures of Regional Park, reserves, traditions of “Cherry Festival”, which has become a unique accent of Žagarė, as well as the famous personalities – priest and monk Stanislovas, Archbishop Julijonas Steponavičius and Barbora Žagarietė.
6.LEARN TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
GASČIŪNAI CENTRE OF TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
Gasčiūnai is a village and an exclusive corner of Joniškis region, which is cherished and famous because of an active community. A documentary film has been created about the village. In 2017 Gasčiūnai won the title of Lithuanian Small Capital of Culture. Cultural heritage is very important for local people of Gasčiūnai. There is an ethnographic museum in a farm building made of clay where over 2000 different exhibits showing how our ancestors lived and worked are stored. This museum is open to all visitors. The community also welcomes guests to visit the modern center of traditional crafts. It offers educational programs: sticking and painting of clay, carving and others. According to ancient recipes of our grandmothers, bread and buns are baked. The staff of the Center invites everyone to bake your own bread or buns, too. There are many ethnic celebrations in the Traditional Crafts Center. Santa Claus residence is opened there every year.
7.LEARN AND PLAY
“HOUSE OF DOLLS” AND “FACTORY OF SCARECROWS”
In the “House of Dolls” you will see a collection of historical dolls and hear an interesting story about their creation. Also, you will be able to take a look into the collection of national dolls of the world, Lithuanian and Semigallian national doll exhibitions, theatre dolls. You will have the opportunity to watch a short film and use local mail where you will be offered a “House of Dolls” postcard to send to your friends. In the workshops you can create your own doll – a souvenir of a mythical creature. Don’t hesitate to listen to interesting stories about the Raktuvė hill, the mountain of Žvelgaitis, the ancient gods, witches, their talismans and signs. Scarecrows are essential part of the Cherry Festival in Žagarė.There, on the bank of the Švėtė River, a homestead of folk artist Aušra Petrauskienė, is situated. The scarecrows have found a place to stay in a house called “The Factory of Scarecrows”. It is a fascinating kingdom of scarecrows, where different characters are created. Every year, at the beginning of July, everyone is invited to stay at “The Camp of Scarecrows” and make their own scarecrow.
8. Discover the lost Joniškis
Joniškis Synagogue Complex
The synagogue complex features two synagogues: The White and The Red Synagogues. After the restoration the synagogues became important cultural and representational centers of the city. The unique interior of The Red Synagogue, such as celling decorations, wall paintings, Torah ark or holy ark (hebr. aron kodesh), where once the Torah scrolls were contained, was recreated and restored. The synagogue displays an exposition “Jewish History and Culture of Joniškis Region”, which represents the history of the Jewish community of Joniškis till the start of The World War II. The exposition of The White Synagogue creatively conveys the historical development of Joniškis and the most important moments in the history of the city using modern means of exhibition.
9.BE THE CHAMPION
Joniškis Basketball Museum
There is a saying that says „the basketball is like a second religion in Lithuania“, however for a prolonged period of time there was no place for fans, athletes and anyone interested in this sport to see the most famous achievements, attributes and historical photos of the country’s basketball players. Therefore, in 2009, the only basketball museum in Lithuania was opened in Joniškis.
Museum has a special room to celebrate the victory of the Lithuanian basketball team in 1937 at the II European Basketball Championship in Riga (Latvia). Back then Joniškis was the first city where the returning Lithuanian basketball team was greeted by the local goverment and fans with flowers and brass band marshals.
10.Halt the flow of time
WATER ENTERTAINMENTS IN ŽAGARĖ
The panoramas of Žagarė Esker during the warm season can be also admired paddling rented stand up paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, boats, riding water bikes in Žvelgaitis pond, and those who like hot steam can whip themselves in a floating sauna.
Joniškis tourism and business information centre
