Akmenė District Municipality: Geology, Culture and History

Key facts

• The Jurakalnio pažintinis takas geological trail in Papilė is a 4-kilometre circular route.
• Local archaeological finds, especially jewellery and coins, are displayed in the openings of the Akmenės istorijos siena.
• The “Dinozaurų beieškant” educational programme combines a theoretical and a practical component for school students.
• “Ventos krašto istorija ir archeologija” explores the early history of the Ventos region and includes practical activities.
• The S. Daukanto memorialinis muziejus hosts poetry festivals, cultural discussions, concerts and book presentations, among other events.
• The Hill of Crosses, in the wider Šiauliai District destination, lies about 12 kilometres north of Šiauliai.

Papilė: a circular route with several attractions

The Jurakalnio pažintinis takas combines a geological trail with a series of attractions in Papilė. Along the 4-kilometre circular route, visitors can reach the S. Daukanto muziejus, Papilės Šv. Juozapo bažnyčia, the monument and grave of S. Daukantas, and Papilės I and II piliakalniai. The route also includes the natural monument penkiolikakamienė liepa, the fifteen-trunk linden tree. Geological, historical and natural attractions thus sit side by side along one route; its length also gives a clear indication of the circuit’s scope.

The S. Daukanto memorialinis muziejus in Papilė hosts poetry festivals, meetings with distinguished guests, cultural discussions, music concerts and book presentations. Its events span literature and discussion as well as music. If you would like to attend a particular festival, concert or book presentation, check the latest dates before your trip.

Archaeology and history in Akmenė and Venta

The Akmenės istorijos siena was created from an idea by the Akmenė community; its creator is the artist Antanas Adomaitis. Local archaeological finds, especially jewellery and coins, are displayed in the openings in the wall. The community-led idea and the finds offer two different perspectives: the wall is a locally rooted work of art and, at the same time, a place where actual archaeological objects are displayed.

Two educational programmes for school students take place at the Ventos regioninio parko lankytojų centras in Venta. In “Dinozaurų beieškant,” students first learn about the nature, geology and history of the Ventos region together with their teacher and visit the visitor centre’s exhibition. They then head to the Papartynė geological outcrop, 15 kilometres from Venta. There, the students search for fossils, excavate them and identify them.

The educational session “Ventos krašto istorija ir archeologija” introduces the early history of the Ventos region. The programme also includes a visit to the exhibition, throwing Žiemgalių spears and lighting a fire with an ancient flint striker. The two programmes therefore have different practical focuses: one centres on fossils and identifying them, while the other focuses on regional history and historical activities.

Cultural attractions in the wider Šiauliai District destination

Those who explore the wider Šiauliai District destination will find other cultural and historical themes there. The Hill of Crosses is an important religious site that bears witness to devotion and fidelity to the sacrifice of the Cross. Pope John Paul II visited it on 7 September 1993. The hill lies about 12 kilometres north of Šiauliai and near the Šiauliai–Riga railway line.

Other museums offer different points of interest: the Photography Museum is Lithuania’s only specialised museum dedicated to the history of photography, photographic art and photographic technology. The Chaimas Frenkelis Villa is one of the few Art Nouveau buildings in Lithuania dating from the early 20th century. Its “Fabrikantai Frenkeliai” exhibition introduces two generations of the Frenkel family as well as the history of Jews in Šiauliai.

The Bicycle Museum offers another distinctive theme: it is Lithuania’s only specialised museum dedicated to the history of the bicycle. Visitors can take an active part and try out different bicycle-related activities; the exhibition on the third floor lets them experience road cycling. Together with the Hill of Crosses and the other museums, it gives the wider Šiauliai District destination a selection spanning religious heritage, photography, architecture and bicycle history.

Discover more destinations: Alkiškiai, Kelmė District Municipality, Pakruojis District Municipality, Joniškio rajono savivaldybė, Šiaulių rajono savivaldybė, Radviliškis District Municipality.

Return to the wider travel overview: Šiauliai District.