Discover Sudeikiai on Lake Alaušas

Key facts

• Sudeikiai lies on the southern shore of Lake Alaušas; the shore near Sudeikiai is a popular destination for enjoying nature.
• Lake Alaušas is known for its shallow shore areas and clear, clean waters rich in fish.
• The archive of the Sudeikių dailės galerija contains more than 100 works by professional artists and photographers.
• The present-day brick Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in 1825 in the Neoclassical style; it has neither towers nor columns in its interior.
• The “Alaušas” plein-air painting event has been held in Sudeikiai since 1999.
• The churchyard contains the graves of J. Šnapštys-Margalis (1877–1921) and Dr. J. Girnius (1915–1994), who was reinterred here in 1995.
• In the nearby settlement of Maneičių, an important archaeological site with the status of a cultural monument is located on the lakeshore.

The lake as the landscape’s focal point

Lake Alaušas is more than just a place name for Sudeikiai: the town lies on its southern shore, and the shore near Sudeikiai is considered a popular destination for enjoying nature. Shallow shore areas, clear and clean water, and an abundance of fish define the character of the lake. Taken together, these features give the destination a clear landscape focus.

When making your choice, you can readily compare this focus with the town’s cultural attractions. Sudeikiai combines its connection to the lake with a gallery, a Neoclassical church and historic burial sites. So consider whether, on your trip to Lithuania, you are mainly looking for lakeside scenery or would also like to explore art and local history.

Art and church architecture

The Sudeikių dailės galerija offers a distinct attraction: its archive contains more than 100 works by professional artists and photographers. Both art and photography are therefore part of the town’s cultural identity. For travellers interested in the visual arts, the gallery is a concrete point of interest alongside the scenic setting of Lake Alaušas.

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary also offers several specific features that illustrate its architectural history. The present-day brick building was constructed in 1825 in the Neoclassical style. In addition to its date of construction, its building material and interior design are noteworthy: the church has no towers and no columns inside. Its historical date, clear stylistic classification and distinctive architectural features all stand out.

Churchyard and local history

The churchyard in Sudeikiai contains the grave of J. Šnapštys-Margalis (1877–1921), a priest, poet and translator. He served as a parish priest there from 1920 to 1921 and died in Sudeikiai. The grave of Dr. J. Girnius (1915–1994), a philosopher from Sudeikiai, was reinterred here in 1995. Girnius died in Boston. The two burial sites thus reflect different connections to the town: Šnapštys-Margalis’s local work and death, and Girnius’s origins and subsequent reinterment.

Another archaeological connection can be found in nearby Maneičių. An important archaeological site with the status of a cultural monument is located on the shore of Lake Alaušas in Maneičių. The archaeological site is in nearby Maneičių; the gallery, church and churchyard are directly connected to Sudeikiai.

Plein-air painting and seasonal activities

The “Alaušas” plein-air painting event has been held in Sudeikiai since 1999. It adds a recurring painting event to the themes of art and architecture that are permanently associated with the town. A brochure published in 2024 by the Sudeikių daugiafunkcis centras also mentions seasonal activities on the lake: diving with an instructor and an exploratory pleasure trip on a raft. If you would like to plan one of these activities, check before your trip whether it is available on your travel dates.

This gives you a practical choice for your trip: enjoying nature by the lake, exploring art and architectural history, or taking part in seasonal activities. Plan your visit around which of these aspects of Sudeikiai matters most to you.

Discover more destinations: Kirdeikiai, Dubingių Seniūnija, Serapiniškė, Užpaliai, Rimšė, Molėtai, Šilinė, Balninkai.

For an overview of the wider region: Utena County.