Pakruojs manor was first mentioned in written sources in 1531. The founder and first owner of the manor was M. Vakavičius, tijūnas of Rietavas, later V. Martinavičius, A. Koleckis, S. Juškevičius, noblemen Zabiela, counts Munster managed the manor. in 1786 countess Aleksandra of Munster has married Wilhelm von Ropp and the estate became the property of the Ropp family. The first buildings of the manor were wooden. The brick ensemble of the manor palace was built in 1817-1840. from local materials. In 1835-1840 a large English-style park was created in the estate. The palace was full of art treasures. Among them, there was a particularly interesting and rare collection of fine arts - paintings, graphics and sculptures. Theodor von Ropp is considered the founder of the collection, who travelled to France, Italy, Spain and brought many works of Italian, Dutch, and French artists to the estate. Since the time of baron Wilhelm Ropp, the manor has developed a commercial farm, which brought a lot of income. After the First World War, Pakruojs manor was a model farm, famous for industrial animal husbandry. After the 1922 land reforms the farm decreased: they were left with the centre of the manor and 300 ha of land. Land reclamation was carried out, livestock breeding, gardening, and beekeeping were further developed. in 1940 Julius von Ropp inherited the estate. During the war, the German repatriation headquarters was housed in the manor. in 1944 Julius von Ropp retreated to the West with the war refugees and apparently perished, as nothing is known about his fate. Currently, the reconstructed buildings of the Pakruojis manor provide accommodation, catering, hall rental, event organization, active recreation services, organized thematic excursions and entertainment. Pakruojs Manor is now an opened, &qoute;living&qoute; architectural heritage that allows you to experience a real 19th century. It attracts guests and tourists from Lithuania and the whole world. The famous winter lantern and spring and summer flower festivals are held at Pakruojs manor.

Source: https://pakruojo-dvaras.lt/apie-dvara/istorija/.

The building of the Pakruojis fire brigade society is located in the central part of the town. The town of Pakruojis has burned down many times, so in 1928 a fire station was built with the contribution of the local Jewish community. Firemen's &qoute;sleeves&qoute; were dried in a wooden tower, inventory was kept in other rooms of the building. Before World War II, a hand-cranked siren was installed. The hall of the building was lit by carbide lamps, later by electricity supplied by the Pakruojs manor, from 1934 by the Maizel mill. Most of the firefighters were volunteers, there was one paid firefighter - a watchman. In 2020, after the renovation of the old fire station in Pakruojis, a space for culture and arts was established in this building. At the moment, various painting exhibitions are held in the old fire station. There is a memorial room dedicated to Pakruojis - born painter, stained-glass artist and puppeteer Prof. S. Ušinskas, also an exposition dedicated to firefighting.

The most beautiful, the coziest, the oldest - all these words of praise are intended for our synagogue in Pakruojis. The Pakruojis synagogue has been standing for 220 years. For decades, the large Jewish community of the town - shtetl gathered to address their prayers to God, to solve everyday issues. 80 years ago, during the tragedy of the Holocaust, prayers in the Pakruojis synagogue were interrupted. May the memory of the Jewish community of Pakruojis be eternal. In 2017, the Pakruojis synagogue was restored and opened to the whole world. It is the only wooden Synagogue of such splendor and size in Eastern Europe. Wonderfully recreated wallpapers of sky color, colorful beasts are painted on the ceiling, also the mystical animal mentioned in the Bible, Leviathan, a snake that swallows its own tail. Look up at the ceiling and see a train heading towards the sky! The synagogue of Pakruojis was built in 1801. In 1885, it was repaired and repainted. The 16-meter-long and 12-meter-wide building has preserved its two-tiered four-gable roof to this day. According to specialists, the exterior of the synagogue was influenced by the forms of Lithuanian folk architecture, the interior was dominated by decorative elements characteristic of Jewish art and Jewish ethnic symbols, and the motifs of flora and fauna. The former aron kodesh of this synagogue was extremely ornate and impressive - with three narrowing upwards, carved from wood and painted. Currently, various events and exhibitions dedicated to the memory of the Jews who lived in Lithuania and the Pakruojis region, concerts and other cultural events are organized in the Pakruojis synagogue. The Pakruojis synagogue is large visited by travelers, as well it is a very popular meeting place for residents of the Pakruojis region.

The most beautiful, the coziest, the oldest - all these words of praise are intended for our synagogue in Pakruojis. The Pakruojis synagogue has been standing for 220 years. For decades, the large Jewish community of the town - shtetl gathered to address their prayers to God, to solve everyday issues. 80 years ago, during the tragedy of the Holocaust, prayers in the Pakruojis synagogue were interrupted. May the memory of the Jewish community of Pakruojis be eternal. In 2017, the Pakruojis synagogue was restored and opened to the whole world. It is the only wooden Synagogue of such splendor and size in Eastern Europe. Wonderfully recreated wallpapers of sky color, colorful beasts are painted on the ceiling, also the mystical animal mentioned in the Bible, Leviathan, a snake that swallows its own tail. Look up at the ceiling and see a train heading towards the sky! The synagogue of Pakruojis was built in 1801. In 1885, it was repaired and repainted. The 16-meter-long and 12-meter-wide building has preserved its two-tiered four-gable roof to this day. According to specialists, the exterior of the synagogue was influenced by the forms of Lithuanian folk architecture, the interior was dominated by decorative elements characteristic of Jewish art and Jewish ethnic symbols, and the motifs of flora and fauna. The former aron kodesh of this synagogue was extremely ornate and impressive - with three narrowing upwards, carved from wood and painted. Currently, various events and exhibitions dedicated to the memory of the Jews who lived in Lithuania and the Pakruojis region, concerts and other cultural events are organized in the Pakruojis synagogue. The Pakruojis synagogue is large visited by travelers, as well it is a very popular meeting place for residents of the Pakruojis region.

The most beautiful, the coziest, the oldest - all these words of praise are intended for our synagogue in Pakruojis. The Pakruojis synagogue has been standing for 220 years. For decades, the large Jewish community of the town - shtetl gathered to address their prayers to God, to solve everyday issues. 80 years ago, during the tragedy of the Holocaust, prayers in the Pakruojis synagogue were interrupted. May the memory of the Jewish community of Pakruojis be eternal. In 2017, the Pakruojis synagogue was restored and opened to the whole world. It is the only wooden Synagogue of such splendor and size in Eastern Europe. Wonderfully recreated wallpapers of sky color, colorful beasts are painted on the ceiling, also the mystical animal mentioned in the Bible, Leviathan, a snake that swallows its own tail. Look up at the ceiling and see a train heading towards the sky! The synagogue of Pakruojis was built in 1801. In 1885, it was repaired and repainted. The 16-meter-long and 12-meter-wide building has preserved its two-tiered four-gable roof to this day. According to specialists, the exterior of the synagogue was influenced by the forms of Lithuanian folk architecture, the interior was dominated by decorative elements characteristic of Jewish art and Jewish ethnic symbols, and the motifs of flora and fauna. The former aron kodesh of this synagogue was extremely ornate and impressive - with three narrowing upwards, carved from wood and painted. Currently, various events and exhibitions dedicated to the memory of the Jews who lived in Lithuania and the Pakruojis region, concerts and other cultural events are organized in the Pakruojis synagogue. The Pakruojis synagogue is large visited by travelers, as well it is a very popular meeting place for residents of the Pakruojis region.

Since 1780 Akmenėliai manor belonged to baron Theodor von der Ropp of German origin. The manor is located in a grove of hundred-year-old trees, on the bank of the Kruoja river. During the interwar period, many guests visited here - mostly Germans from the surrounding estates, gentlemen from Kaunas also came. The host's parents and sister from Denmark visited all summer. It was a place full of life and joy for meetings and swimming in the Kruoja river. The &qoute;Stasys Ušinskas Museum&qoute; of the famous artist has been established in Akmenėliai manor. In the territory of the estate in 2020 the monument &qoute;Little horse&qoute; was built, depicting one of Stasys Ušinskas' puppet marionettes.

In 1821 it is mentioned that there were two parish schools in Linkuva: for boys (26 pupils) and for girls (17 nobles). The first library appeared with the Carmelite monastery. In 1635-1689 the evangelical reformed church also operated next to the Catholic church, which has moved to Švobiškis in 1689. But in 1732 the evangelical reformed school still operating in Linkuva is also mentioned. Even in 1831, when the town was occupied by the rebels led by Kolonkovskis, the school did not stop working, the teacher S. Saudargas taught 16 - 24 children there. in 1832 the monastery was closed by decree of the tsarist authorities. in 1844 a state elementary school was established, where the Russian language is taught, but in 1845 - 1850 there was also a parochial school located in a government building. The teacher receiving a salary from the government. In 1853 it is indicated that there are 23 students in the parochial school, and 37 in the state school. A. Miškinis states in the book &qoute;Linkuva&qoute; that in 1865 a public elementary school was established. &qoute;It is more reliable that at that time from 1844 the operating school was expanded to five “classes” and named &qoute;two-class peasant city school&qoute;. Since 1904 during the riots against the tsar's rule in the entire Kaunas Governorate, in 1905 November 25 the tsarist public school in Linkuva was closed, the teachers were removed. It was decided that children should be taught in their native language, because as early as 1905 February 28 the tsarist county board was removed and a new county committee was elected. in 1906 Linkuva school burned down, and in 1907 a new school was built on the site of the old one (Gimnazijos St. 30). It was built in 1907. The school was built from red bricks; there are one and two stories, irregular T-shaped plan. The main street-facing facade with a semi-circular arch portal. in 1935 a red brick extension is attached to the northern end of the building; it is connected to the old building by a low corridor.

Source: https://lietuvai.lt/wiki/Linkuvos_gimnazijos_istorija/.

In 1540 Caspar von Tiesenhausen, the elder of Dünamünde (Daugavgriva - Jūrmala) built a private wooden Evangelical Lutheran church in Žeimelis. It is one of the oldest Lutheran churches in Latvia and Lithuania. At that time, Žeimelis belonged to the Livonian Order. In 1585 - 1587, this land belonged to Lithuania. In later times, Žeimelis belonged to the brothers von der Borch (until 1699), Johann Theofilius von Zass (1699 - 1730), Eva Emerence von Grotthuss (1710 - 1732). The former wooden church was rebuilt in 1653, and repaired in 1742. In 1786, on October 8, under the leadership of priest Konrad Schulz, the construction of the current neo-Gothic style stone masonry church was started, which was completed in 1793 and consecrated on the day of Saint Michael the Archangel (October 29, 1793). The church tower was built in 1889-1890. The rectory building of the parish was built from the same material in 1862.

Source: https://www.liuteronai.lt/zeimelio-parapija/.

Since 1595 markets were held in Žeimelis, although there is no evidence that the king's privilege was granted for that purpose. Market activity was stimulated by the increasing importance of trade routes. The most important tract, mentioned in 1567 and called &qoute;the great road to Riga&qoute;, came from Linkuva. At the end of the 16th century roads to other neighboring trade centers - Plonėnai, as well as Joniškis, are often mentioned. In this way, Žeimelis became a rather significant border trade center. The road intersection, where the market square was located, was the most important place in Žeimelis. Here, the four roads that converged to the center of the town and coincided with the streets within the boundaries of the built-up area formed a fairly regular, although essentially radial, plan of Žeimelis due to the relatively flat terrain. In addition to the main streets (in the directions of Bauska - Riga, Linkuva, Joniškis and Vaškai - Biržai), there were also, as evidenced by the retrospective analysis of later material, two side streets. One of them (“Manor” street) directly connected the square with the manor homestead on the previous mound, and the other surrounded the Lutheran church with the cemetery from the west side, connecting the roads from the square to Joniškis and Linkuva. Although no authentic data has been found about the shape and size of the Žeimelis market square. It is assumed that in the in the middle of the16th century this square was close to a quadrangle, although perhaps not regular enough due to the spontaneous development of the whole town. Meanwhile, the square is now almost quadratic, and in its northeast corner there is a narrowed street intersection. In 1923 Žeimelis Square was started to be paved with stones, which was completed in 1925. Back in 1923 the &qoute;Vienybės&qoute; (&qoute;Unity&qoute;) oak tree was planted in the square, from which the Žeimelis market square acquired the name &qoute;Unity&qoute;. In 2022, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of the famous scientist and physicist Theodor von Grotthuss, a monument dedicated to him was built and unveiled in the square.

Source: A. Miškinis, Žeimelis, 2000.

1932-1937 in the premises of the rectory built around 1862 a private Latvian secondary school was operating. in 1949 the entire ensemble (rectory house, parish house, four outbuildings, park) except the church was taken from the parishioners and nationalized. in 1993 the building was returned to the Žeimelis Evangelical Lutheran community. Erikas Lejeris (1906-1951), the elder of the Synod of Lithuanian Latvian Evangelical Lutherans (1932-1937), member of the Consistory (1932-1936), awarded the Order of Gediminas IV degree, the Star of Sagittarius, lived in the rectory. in 1941 he was elected president and senior of the Consistory. in 1942 he published the hymnal, which was prepared together with evangelical reformat church in 1940. In 1949 Erikas Lejeris was arrested and deported to Siberia to the Mikhailovka camp, where he died. During the Soviet era, a kindergarten operated in the rectory building. Currently an exhibition of old equipment has been established in this building.

Source: https://kvr.kpd.lt/#/static-heritage-detail/21f31693-a3b0-46bd-95ee-7d7edab4e57d/.

Around 1426 the chapel was built in the Lygumai manor. In 1524 - 1526 the landowner Liucijus Vickavičius founded the church. Around 1630 the church was taken over by evangelical reformers. 1790 priest Kristupas Volfas built a new wooden church with the parishioners. In 1902, the architect Nikolajus Andrejevas, under the care of pastor Juozapas Korsakas. designed a brick church. In 1908 - 1914 on the initiative of priest Jurgis Rupka and with the funds of the parishioners, he built the current brick church. The church is neo-gothic style, with a Latin cross plan, one tower with a three-walled apse. Built of yellow bricks. The walls and corners are supported by stepped buttresses with canopies. The exterior is dominated by a three-bay tower in the central axis. The first two sections are rectangular, the third is polygonal with triangular pediments and a pointed roof. Its walls are divided by arrow openings, windows, circular niches. Large, two - and three - part windows are located in the side walls. The pediment of the front facade seems to have “towers”. The interior of the church has three naves. They are separated by cross pillars with semicircular arches. Above are pinnacles and circular openings. Empores above the sacristy are with pointed arches. Organ choir on the wall with a semicircular arch. Railing with columns. In 1914, 1920, 1931 five brick neo-Gothic altars were built. The fence of the churchyard is made of brick, the gate has three openings with triangular pediments. The church of the most holy Trinity in Lygumai is the third tallest church in Lithuania, its height is 73 m 84 cm.

Source: Historical and cultural heritage of Northern Lithuania. Dabartis, 6, Žiemgala, 2008.

At the second half of the 19th century Rozalimas had already become a town with a small trading, which was typical of many smaller towns in Lithuania. Although the plan of the settlement cannot be inferred from these data, it appears to have remained largely unchanged. The three main streets leading to the square (on the roads to Pakruojis, Klovainiai and Šeduva) formed a radial plan. In addition to these streets, there were several side streets (one to the cemetery) or their beginnings. The church standing on the square and the separate bell tower were the main highlights of the town, which was built up mostly with one-story wooden houses. in 1924 the town square, which &qoute;was completely abandoned before&qoute;, was repaired. This was done on the initiative of teacher and writer Matas Grigonis and the efforts of the &qoute;Rozalimas town beautification committee&qoute;. In 1928 celebrating the decade of the Republic of Lithuania, a new public garden was built in the center of Rozalimas at the north of the church. At this new public garden, the monument for those who died for independence was built. It is stated that &qoute;since then, this public garden has acquired the name of Independence Garden, and the square has been named Independence Square&qoute;. In fact, the market square had the name of Freedom Square. In 2022, a commemorative sign of the long-time priest A. Kisielius of Rozalimas was erected next to the garden.

Source: A. Miškinis, Rozalimas, 2007.

The church of St. Aloysius in Lauksodis is an exclusive and the only such wooden basilica in Lithuania, 270 years old. St. Lauksodis Aloysius Church. Basilica is the oldest style of church architecture. The churches of the first centuries in Rome were built by him, and the Vilnius archcathedral was built in the basilica style, all of them were made of brick. There are only a few wooden basilicas in the world, one of which is located in the village of Lauksodis and is dedicated to St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Italy). Livonian bishop Theodor Wolff built a house for the Jesuits and St. Peter and Paul's Church at the border of the Curlandia, in Lauksodis in 1710. Jesuits built a new wooden church in 1751, which was consecrated 1767. After the abolition of the Jesuit order in 1780, king Stanislaus August obliged the owner of the Lauksodis manor to maintain filialist. The church was renovated in the 19th century. At the end in 1935 the parish was established. The church is really big: two stories, rectangular plan, with side extensions. Inside - three naves. The fence of the churchyard is made of stone masonry, with the chapels of the Stations of the Cross. There is a bell tower in the churchyard. Its bottom is stone masonry, its top is wooden. The environment of this church is extremely beautiful and cozy: its space is surrounded by the green land area ending at the stream. We invite you to come and be inspired by beauty and peace at St. Aloysius from Gonzaga in Lauksodis.

The Stačiūnai windmill was built in 1890. The mentioned date is engraved in the inner part of the foundations. It is one of the few remaining windmills in the Pakruojis region, the first floor of which is made of stone masonry with decorative elements, and the rest is wooden. This is the only windmill in the Pakruojis district with an internal cap turning mechanism. The volume of the building is compact, octagonal plan, four floors, with an octagonal dome-shaped cap, covered with tin. The brick gallery of the mill - the roundabout bridge - has not survived. The facades have rectangular window openings. The walls of the first floor are made of outdoor stone masonry, not plastered. Wooden frame walls are above. Remaining technological equipment: the stand of the mill spindle, the pickaxe, the awl for putting flour into bags on the second floor, the mill on the third floor, the friction drive of the bag lifting mechanism on the fourth floor.

In 2004, the mill was renovated and adapted for cultural events and tourism of local residents. Stačiūnai community events are organized here. Currently, the museum, which is operating in the renovated mill is the center of cultural expression of the local community, which gives its visitors the opportunity to see not only the mill, but also learn a lot of about Stačiūnai. There is an exhibition of milling equipment. Photos from the life of the Stačiūnai community are also exhibited on the second and third floors. Educational programs are held at the mill, during which you can get acquainted with milling equipment, ancient farm implements, and rural household heritage.

At the beginning of 20th century old believers settled in Vileišiai district. In 1912 they founded the community in Akmenėliai Manor, which was initially concentrated in Akmenėliai, and in 1935 the installed a prayer house in Vileišiai. The parish had more than 200 believers. After the war, the parish decreased significantly and extinct around 1975. Funerals and memorial rites occupy a special place among the old believers. Elderly people prepared for death in advance: funerals were arranged. However, for a religious person, the most important thing was to prepare the soul for death: to distribute alms, to make donations for the church, to deal with relatives. They prayed for the dead for three days: day and night they read Psalms in the old Slavic language. A white &qoute;lestovka&qoute; (“rosary”), specially made for funerals, was placed in the left hand of the deceased. The body was lying with his feet to the side of the icons - his face to God. They also put a leaf of forgiveness of sins in the hands of the deceased, and a ribbon of repentance on the forehead. The deceased was carried from home in an open coffin all the way to the cemetery - to say goodbye to neighbours and relatives in the fields. The old cemetery in the village of Akmenėliai are still functioning and beautifully maintained. And now, in Akmenėliai, the old people who came from these surroundings are buried, who have expressed their last wishes to their relatives. The cemetery &qoute;comes to life&qoute; during Pentecost, when old believers come to Akmenėliai to pay their respects to the dead from all over the world. Everyone goes from one grave to another, prays, sings hymns. Then, on the lawn next to the graves, tables are set up, on which they place the brought food and talk about who were and those who were.

Source: http://pakruojo.krastas.lt/?rub=1065924812&id=1493396484/.

Pakruojis is a special region where the histories and cultures of as many as five communities intertwine. Lithuanians, Latvians, Jews, Germans and Russians lived in this land for hundreds of years, and their legacy can be seen even in the 21st century: manors, manor parks, houses of worship, cemeteries, ethnographic villages. The virtual guide of the Pakruojis region gives meaning and enables the visual and audio legacy of these communities in digital form, revives the historical memory of the communities of the Pakruojis region. It also allows not only local residents, but also the descendants of these communities living in the diaspora to travel, remember, get to know each other and hear stories. The virtual 360° guide and video film of the Pakruojis region presents objects of historical and cultural heritage of the Lithuanian, Latvian, Jewish, German and Russian ancient communities of the Pakruojis region in Lithuanian and English. The virtual guide and video film created during the project are intended for and freely available to all persons interested in the cultural heritage objects of the Pakruojis region.

• The project was executed by the Pakruojis Business Information Center
• The project was financed by the Lithuanian Culture Council and the Municipality of Pakruojis District
• The project contractor is UAB Inverse and Gidas360