Naujamiestis: History and Culinary Experiences

In Naujamiestis, architectural history, places of remembrance, and culinary experiences come together. When planning your trip, several questions are important: How can the history of the present-day church be placed in context? What other memorial sites might you consider? And what needs to be arranged before you plan a culinary visit?

Key facts

• The present-day Church of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist is the fourth church in Naujamiestis.
• It was built from 1899 to 1908 to a design by engineer Florijonas Vyganovskis.
• After a fire on August 16, 2007, the church was fully rebuilt in 2013.
• The memorial room for Kunigas Kazimieras Kuzmickas is located at S. Nėries g. 14.
• In the nearby village of Kalnelis, there is a cemetery with the graves of Šelumielis Lopato and Jokūbas Maleckas.
• Visits to Švenčių kalvė should be arranged in advance.

The church: putting its construction and rebuilding in context

The Church of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist is not the first church in the area, but the fourth. This places its construction within a longer historical timeline. The present-day building was constructed between 1899 and 1908 to a design by engineer Florijonas Vyganovskis. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing the construction period from the later rebuilding phase: the fire occurred on August 16, 2007, and the complete rebuilding followed in 2013.

This makes it possible to distinguish two different chapters in the history of this building: its construction at the beginning of the 20th century and its restoration after the fire. If you are interested in architecture or local history, these dates provide a concrete starting point for placing the present-day church in context. Check whether the church is open to visitors before your visit.

Memorial sites in Naujamiestis and Kalnelis

Another place of remembrance is the memorial room for Kunigas Kazimieras Kuzmickas at S. Nėries g. 14 in Naujamiestis. “Kunigas” means “priest.” Check whether the memorial room is open to visitors before your visit.

Nearby, in the village of Kalnelis, there is a cemetery with the graves of the poet Šelumielis Lopato (1904–1923) and the writer and translator Jokūbas Maleckas (1889–1952). The two graves connect the cemetery with distinct literary biographies. Unlike the memorial room for the priest in Naujamiestis, the cemetery in nearby Kalnelis focuses on literary remembrance. Check access in advance if you plan to include the cemetery in your itinerary.

Culinary experiences by appointment

Švenčių kalvė in Naujamiestis is associated with educational programs, tastings, and tourist routes featuring dishes from the culinary heritage. This offers a different way to experience the destination than the historical sites: here, the focus is on culinary themes and organized experiences. Visits are by prior arrangement. Do not arrive without an appointment; arrange your visit in advance and check availability before adding it to your itinerary.

When choosing which themes to include in your visit to Naujamiestis, the options are distinct: the church offers a perspective on construction and rebuilding over time, the memorial room and nearby cemetery point to people and remembrance, and Švenčių kalvė focuses on culinary experiences.

Discover more destinations: Šilagalys, Kazliškio Seniūnija, Kučiai, Panevėžys, Naciūnai, Kupiškis, Biržai, Puožas.

For the broader travel overview: Panevėžys County.