Girininkai: Memorials and History

Key facts

• The Girininkų kaimo kryžius was erected in 1935. The iron cross stands on a stone base and is dedicated to the saints of 1933 to 1935.
• The chapel post commemorates Petras Varkala and was erected in 1991, on the 50th anniversary of his death, at the initiative of Antanina Varkalytė-Baltrušienė, a daughter and deportee.
• The chapel post was entered in the Register of Cultural Property in 1992.
• A chapel post and a long, plastered brick house mark the site of Varkala’s former homestead.
• Girininkai’s main street is named after the book smuggler Petras Varkala.
• In the wider region around Girininkai, Petras Varkala devoted himself to book smuggling after returning to Lithuania.

Memorials marking different periods

A cross and a chapel post offer different forms of remembrance. The Girininkų kaimo kryžius is an iron cross on a stone base. It was erected in 1935 and is dedicated to commemorating the saints of 1933 to 1935. The chapel post, by contrast, focuses on Petras Varkala. Antanina Varkalytė-Baltrušienė initiated its erection in 1991, on the 50th anniversary of Varkala’s death; she was a daughter and deportee. In 1992, the post was entered in the Register of Cultural Property.

The dates help distinguish the two memorials: for the cross, the year it was erected and its dedication go together, while the chapel post has its own timeline of commemoration, erection, and subsequent register entry. This makes it possible to understand both a religious dedication and a personal memorial in Girininkų kaimas. Those interested in the history of the place can look for specific names, dates, and dedications, rather than treating the two markers as a single monument.

Petras Varkala in the local landscape

Girininkai’s main street bears the name of the book smuggler Petras Varkala. After returning to Lithuania, he devoted himself to book smuggling. His name is thus encountered both in the street name and at the chapel post dedicated to him. The two references tell different stories: the street name keeps Varkala’s name in the local landscape, while the chapel post commemorates him. His biography adds his return to Lithuania and his work as a book smuggler to this local connection.

Finding the site of the former homestead

The site of Petras Varkala’s former homestead can be identified by two features. On the drive from Rokai toward Prienai, beyond Raželių Forest, a chapel post on the right side of the road and a long, plastered brick house can be seen. Together, they mark the site of the former homestead. Several details are therefore useful for finding it: the direction of travel from Rokai to Prienai, Raželių Forest, and the two visible features. The street name and the homestead site serve different purposes: the name points to Varkala, while the post and house mark the former farmstead.

Choosing accommodation in Girininkai

The historical themes give your travel plans a specific focus: memorials, the dedication of the village cross, and the biography of Petras Varkala. If these interest you, include Girininkai among your destinations. Consider whether this historical connection to the place should be central to your stay, or whether your accommodation needs to fit another travel plan of your own. When looking for a hotel, you can compare the location, amenities, and availability listed for each offer with your plans. This way, your choice reflects what you want to experience on your trip and the details provided for each offer.

Discover more destinations: Kačerginė, Raudondvaris, Čekiškės seniūnija, Dievogala, Domeikava, Mastaičiai, Neveronys.

Return to the regional travel overview: Kauno rajono savivaldybė.