Anykščiai

Anykščiai – a town located on the confluence of Šventoji and Anykšta rivers in the North East of Lithuania.  It has a population of approximately 11 thousand and is noted for its nature and cultural heritage.

Lithuania is a largely flat country, but Anykščiai is the exception. The Rubikiai Lake, full of little islands, a few kilometres remote from the town, is the same height above sea level as the crosses atop the neo-gothic St. Matthew’s church at Anykščiai. This twin-towered church is not only considered as the most prominent feature of Anykščiai’s landscape, but is also the tallest church in Lithuania. This is the church which, according to the legend, the malicious devil attempted to destroy with a huge stone.

The Puntukas stone is the second largest and the most visited stone in our country. This geological feature and mythological monument was brought here from Finland by glaciers thousands of years ago. Inquisitive tourists measure its size in steps. 40 strides are needed to walk around Puntukas stone.

The stone lies, brought by ice or dropped by the devil, whatever you choose to believe, near the river in the Anykščiai Regional Park, which was established to protect the valuable natural and cultural sites of the land. The rich natural features include holy oaks, hills, mounds where the castle of King Mindaugas might have stood, unspoilt meadows, lakes dotted with islands, valleys, unique vistas and river washes. The mystic lake of Budragaidis and the Queen’s marsh have their own mysterious fables as well.

Anykščiai is surrounded by pine forests, which extends on both sides of the river Šventoji, the location of all the aforementioned natural wonders.  It attracts tourists not only because of the beauty of the landscape, but also thanks to the wealth of talented writers that have come from this area. These writers and poets accurately described this irrefutable power of nature in many literary masterpieces. That is why “Anykščių Šilelis” by Antanas Baranauskas has been dubbed an anthem to the landscape of Lithuania.  A simple barn where the poem was written, is today noted as the most famous of Lithuania’s farmsteads (the traditional building of the country), and was designated as Lithuania‘s first memorial museum.

This is not the only cultural attraction in Anykščiai. The memory of approximately 70 people including writers, literary figures, artists and scientists, each of whom who have left a mark in the history of Lithuanian culture, are immortalised in various museums. Another famous house is associated with the writer Antanas Žukauskas-Vienuolis; and the literature scholar Jonas Biliūnas is honoured on the hill of the Light of Fortune. Tourists, who climb on top of it recall their dreams and expect them to come true. Graduates come here to meet the sun. It has a symbolic meaning to newlyweds too...

Returning back to the earth, the ethnographical farmstead can be seen, as well as the unique Horse museum established in the Anykščiai region. Next – The Manor of Burbiškės is included in the European Cultural Heritage list, and the Old Town of Anykščiai is worth seeing because of its archaic layout.

The town has an engineering novelty as well – a narrow-gauge train and a unique railway station. Previous visitors have described it as travelling back one-hundred years through time. Since its construction more than a hundred years ago, the station has remained almost unchanged. Today the residents no longer dress in their best clothes and gather at the station as the place to meet and socialize, but the historical, architectural, and visual appeal is still felt.

Numerous outdoor pursuits are also offered to the residents and tourists in the town surroundings. Fully equipped campsites, recreational areas, beaches, scenic roads, and bicycle paths are available. One can ride, sail, fish or even ski on specially prepared skiing tracks. Anykščiai has been already recognized as a tourist destination, and is firmly striving for the status of a resort town.

The widely known product of the town is the winery,  “Anykščių vynas”. “Lithuania's wine trail” is an entertaining excursion for the interested and offers wine making and tasting.

The town guests are not the only fans of the wine of Anykščiai; local people love it as well. At least some people's creative thought and artistic talent has been awaked and inspired if not by the wine, then by the magical power of the land.

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