Šiauliai District: Crosses, museums and Baltic culture

Šiauliai District invites you to discover religious history, photography, cycling culture and Baltic traditions. One of the region’s defining experiences is the Hill of Crosses: an important religious site that bears witness to veneration and devotion to the sacrifice of the cross. Museums and cultural attractions also offer different ways to explore the region’s history and present day.

Religious history and traces of the past

The Hill of Crosses lies about 12 km north of Šiauliai, near the Šiauliai–Riga railway line. Pope John Paul II visited it on 7 September 1993. These specific connections make the site an important destination for travellers interested in religious traditions and their history. You can make the Hill of Crosses a distinct focus when planning your trip.

The historic trail at the Bubių burial mound offers another perspective on the past. Information boards cover the history of the burial mound, archaeological finds, legends and the traditions of the people who lived there. Historical accounts, archaeological subjects and local customs are presented side by side, without reducing them to a single narrative.

Museums spanning photography and bicycles

The Photography Museum is Lithuania’s only specialized museum dedicated to the history of photography, photographic art and photographic technology. Its three themes appeal to different interests: you can explore photography as a historical medium, an art form or from a technical perspective. The Chaim Frenkel Villa Museum complements this cultural focus. The villa is one of Lithuania’s few Art Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century.

The exhibition “Fabrikantai Frenkeliai” presents two generations of the Frenkel family, as well as the history of Jews in Šiauliai. It is devoted both to a family history and to Jewish life in the city. Those interested in architecture and history will find here a different thematic perspective from that offered by the specialized museums.

The Bicycle Museum is Lithuania’s only specialized museum devoted to the history of the bicycle. It offers more than just exhibits: visitors can try out bicycle-related activities and experiences. The road cycling exhibition on the third floor also gives visitors the chance to try road cycling. In summer, the International Chaim Frenkel Villa Summer Festival takes place in the park of the Chaim Frenkel Villa.

Baltic culture, plants and local tastings

Naisiai is home to Lithuania’s only Museum of Baltic Gods. More than 50 oak sculptures of Baltic gods adorn it. The Baltic Gods educational trail invites visitors to learn about Baltic culture. This makes it a distinct point of interest for a trip focused on Baltic beliefs and traditions. Also in Naisiai, the Žemaitukai horses at the stud farm are used for performances and photo shoots, as well as lessons for children and adults.

The VU ŠA Botanical Garden covers 6.54 hectares and cultivates more than 4,600 plant species and varieties. It regularly hosts events for the university, city and district communities. If you would like to include plant diversity and events alongside museums and history, you can add the garden as a separate point of interest.

In Kuršėnai, you can sample Kuršėnų vyniotinis at tastings. The Cat Museum features cats from different parts of Lithuania and from many countries around the world; it also holds educational activities. Next to the museum is the “Gyvūnijos sodas” zoo, home to various exotic animals. These attractions are quite different: from a regional specialty to a themed museum and animals from around the world.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore be important to consider which of these interests will shape your trip: religious history, museums, Baltic culture, plants or local tastings. The experiences listed are spread across different named places, so base your regional choice on the stops that interest you most.

More pages for exploring the region: Bubiai, Joniškis, Šiauliai, Kelmė, Pakruojis, Radviliškis, Meškuičiai, Kuršėnai, Margiai, Gaugariai, Vijoliai, Jurgaičiai, Kelmė District Municipality, Šiauliai Rural Eldership, Radviliškis District Municipality, Šiauliai District Municipality, Joniškis District Municipality, Pakruojis District Municipality and Akmenė District Municipality.

For the broader travel overview: Lithuania.