The town is part of the ancient Samogitian tribe ethnographic region. Šilalė was first mentioned in 14th century. Weekly markets started in 1522, the first church was built in 1533. A small town next to Šilalė Manor was mentioned in 1586. Šilalė received it's trade privilege in 1660 and 1744. The city was burned heavily in 1916. Šilalė was reorganized as a district town on January 31, 1952. The coat of arms of Šilalė was created in 1968, in 1992 the coat of arms was rebuilt according to the 1968 standard and was approved by the President of the Republic of Lithuania in 2001.

The museum collects, preserves, promotes cultural and artistic values, introduces the traditions, customs, cultural heritage of Šilalė region, provides tourist information and guided excursions around the town and district of Šilalė. The museum's collection contains more than 23,000 archaeological, historical, numismatic and ethnographic exhibits. Exhibitions of folk artists, professional artists and students are organized in museum’s exhibition halls. The museum also invites you to visit its branches: Dionizas Poška Baubliai Museum, Kazimieras Jaunius Granary-Museum and Upyna Folk Crafts Museum.

The museum collects, preserves, promotes cultural and artistic values, introduces the traditions, customs, cultural heritage of Šilalė region, provides tourist information and guided excursions around the town and district of Šilalė. The museum's collection contains more than 23,000 archaeological, historical, numismatic and ethnographic exhibits. Exhibitions of folk artists, professional artists and students are organized in museum’s exhibition halls. The museum also invites you to visit its branches: Dionizas Poška Baubliai Museum, Kazimieras Jaunius Granary-Museum and Upyna Folk Crafts Museum.

The museum collects, preserves, promotes cultural and artistic values, introduces the traditions, customs, cultural heritage of Šilalė region, provides tourist information and guided excursions around the town and district of Šilalė. The museum's collection contains more than 23,000 archaeological, historical, numismatic and ethnographic exhibits. Exhibitions of folk artists, professional artists and students are organized in museum’s exhibition halls. The museum also invites you to visit its branches: Dionizas Poška Baubliai Museum, Kazimieras Jaunius Granary-Museum and Upyna Folk Crafts Museum.

The museum collects, preserves, promotes cultural and artistic values, introduces the traditions, customs, cultural heritage of Šilalė region, provides tourist information and guided excursions around the town and district of Šilalė. The museum's collection contains more than 23,000 archaeological, historical, numismatic and ethnographic exhibits. Exhibitions of folk artists, professional artists and students are organized in museum’s exhibition halls. The museum also invites you to visit its branches: Dionizas Poška Baubliai Museum, Kazimieras Jaunius Granary-Museum and Upyna Folk Crafts Museum.

The current brick church was built in 1905–1909. The church is neo-Gothic, cross-plan, single tower, with little towers reaching almost 60 meters high. The church was designed by the architect J. Dziekonski. The organ which remained in the church was built by master Bruno Goebel from Königsberg in 1912.

Baubliai is the first museum of antiquities in Lithuania. The museum was founded by Samogitians noble, writer and historian Dionizas Poška (1764–1830) in a hollowed out oak trunk in 1812. Another oak trunk was built near Baublys (Baublys’ brother) in 1824.

Baubliai is the first museum of antiquities in Lithuania. The museum was founded by Samogitians noble, writer and historian Dionizas Poška (1764–1830) in a hollowed out oak trunk in 1812. Another oak trunk was built near Baublys (Baublys’ brother) in 1824.

The mill was built after damming the Pela stream in the last decade of the 18th century. The old water mill has not survived until our days. The building was reconstructed in 2011, it stands at the place of the old mill and was built according to historical photographs and plans.

The Cross of Resurrection (sculptor J. Rupšys) with a height of 19 metres, which symbolizes the resurrection of the nation, stands in Dvasingumas Park. It is one of the highest crosses in Lithuania. A Lourdes was founded near the cross. There are 21 Stations of the Cross, created by 11 artists. Kaltinėnai Dvasingumas Park was founded by priest Petras Linkevičius in 1989–2006.

The Cross of Resurrection (sculptor J. Rupšys) with a height of 19 metres, which symbolizes the resurrection of the nation, stands in Dvasingumas Park. It is one of the highest crosses in Lithuania. A Lourdes was founded near the cross. There are 21 Stations of the Cross, created by 11 artists. Kaltinėnai Dvasingumas Park was founded by priest Petras Linkevičius in 1989–2006.

A brick church built in 1852–1856 (designed by architect Timofejev, built by master Kaleda). The cornerstone was consecrated by Bishop M. Valancius. The church is of a rectangular layout, has two towers. The churchyard’s fence is made of stone masonry. Prelate Antanas Rubšys, a translator of the Holy Scripture into Lithuanian, is buried in the churchyard.

Kazimieras Jaunius was a priest, theologian, a researcher of the Lithuanian language. He studied Lithuanian language relations with other Indo-European languages. His major achievements include systematization of the Lithuanian dialects, description of Lithuanian accentuation, newly created grammar terms. In 1891 he prepared and published a Lithuanian grammar book. A granary was rebuilt, and an ethnographic museum was founded in his homeland.

Kazimieras Jaunius was a priest, theologian, a researcher of the Lithuanian language. He studied Lithuanian language relations with other Indo-European languages. His major achievements include systematization of the Lithuanian dialects, description of Lithuanian accentuation, newly created grammar terms. In 1891 he prepared and published a Lithuanian grammar book. A granary was rebuilt, and an ethnographic museum was founded in his homeland.

The mound is located on the left bank of Lokysta. The northern and north-eastern mound’s slopes were demolished by quarry digging in the 1860’s. There is a settlement with an area of 1 ha at the southwestern foot of the mound. Some pottery was found here. From the shapes of the mound it can be assumed that the castle that was standing here was used during the battles with the Teutonic forces.

Defensive building built by the Soviet army in 1940–1941 m. The building is made of concrete, it is of an octagonal shape, deeply laid into the ground. The Molotov line consisted of 4 fortification districts: Telšiai, Šiauliai, Kaunas and Alytus. Šilalė district belonged to Šiauliai district, which consisted of 6 fortification points. The line stretches from Pajūris (Silalė district) to Jurbarkas – about 90 km in total.

A restored monument to all those who died in exile, concentration camps, and tortured partisans who lived in the Šilalė region. There is a train wagon similar to those that deported people from Lithuania. Before the war there was a market in the place of a Depot Square, in Soviet times it was a wasteland, and now this place has become a gathering centre for locals and for visitors.

It is a public, newly renovated and spacious recreational campsite with gazebos, basketball and volleyball courts, a football field, parking lots, sand beaches and a comfortable access. It is a great place to stay overnight in tents. Pajūris recreational campsite is free of charge, located on the left bank of the river Jūra bend.

Former Franciscan monastery building stands next to the new part of Pajūris Park. The building was built in the 7–8 decades of 19th century. At first there was only a distillery. In the beginning of the 20th century this building was bought by Kazimieras Nausėda, he built a water mill, a sawmill, a wool carding and spinning building. Since 1928 there was a dairy in one part of the building. The building was left as an inheritance to Franciscans monks. They founded the novice in 1935, but the monastery only existed for five years before the arrival of the Soviet government. Currently, there are residential apartments in the building.

Spectacular rapids of the Akmena river called the Great Shoal were formed during the melting of the glaciers in the Pagramantis Regional Park, Andriejaičiai and Kilpine districts. The landscape of this unique valley is very distinctive; therefore, the valley is protected as an object of natural heritage. Here the river flows through a deep valley, the slope in some places is huge – even 3m/km.

In 1988 the house of Stasys Girėnas was rebuilt and furnished. There is an exposition about Stasys Girenas, his flight over the Atlantic Ocean as well as the history of Vytogala village.

The construction of the church was started in 1896 and was completed in 1915. Original side altars of debarked oak trunks and branches were built in 1928 m. Such altars are the only ones in Lithuania.

The construction of the church was started in 1896 and was completed in 1915. Original side altars of debarked oak trunks and branches were built in 1928 m. Such altars are the only ones in Lithuania.

The construction of the church was started in 1896 and was completed in 1915. Original side altars of debarked oak trunks and branches were built in 1928 m. Such altars are the only ones in Lithuania.

The mound is located on the outskirts of the highlands, on the left bank of the Akmena river. Archaeologists have not yet thoroughly studied the mound, but from its appearance they guess that one of the castles of Karšuva land Kaltinėnai region should have been standing here. The castle was used during the battles with the Teutonic forces.

15 meters high Aukštagirė Observation Tower stands on the hill of Aukštagirė, which is the highest hill of the Aukštagirė Geomorphological Reserve. A typical landscape of Samogitia can be seen from the tower: Medvėgalis, Bilioniai mound and village in the distance and the dams behind it.

The mound is also called Pilė, Pilis. The mound is surrounded by a valley. Historians, archaeologists guess that in the first decades of the 14th century the Pūtvės Castle was located here, because it is mentioned in historical sources and was one of the most important castles of Karšuva land. The castle was burnt twice by the Teutonic Knights in 1307 and 1315.

Folk Crafts Museum was founded in 1973 m. The museum's collection contains about 3500 exhibits from Upyna neighbourhoods: household utensils, various craft tools, ancient agricultural machinery. Many items were collected in the eighties, when land reclamation was accelerated, and old farmsteads were destroyed.

The mound is also called Šventkalnis or Švedkalnis. It is located on a high hill, which is 204 m above sea level. Looking at the mound from Žemaičių highway, it gives the impression of a stepped pyramid. There is an ancient settlement at the southern foot of the mound.

The farmstead is protected as a monument of folk architecture. The farmstead consists of four buildings which were built in 19th–20th century: a barn, a farmhouse, a garner, and a woodshed with a basement. The garner is very interesting, because its walls are made of very thick oak logs, which have curved over time. According to researchers’ data, all farmsteads in Bilionys were similar to this: large, with a lot of plants, ponds and large gardens.

The archaeological complex consists of Medvėgalis, Pilis, Piliorys, Ąžuolai, Sumonys, Alka, Bevardė hills. Medvėgalis Castle which stood on the mound was one of the most important forts of Medininkai region and Samogitia. Medvėgalis castle was first mentioned in 1316 in written texts, when it was attacked by Teotonic forces. Medvėgalis is called the king of Samogitia hills, it is the highest hill in Samogitia, rising 234,6 metres above sea level.

The archaeological complex consists of Medvėgalis, Pilis, Piliorys, Ąžuolai, Sumonys, Alka, Bevardė hills. Medvėgalis Castle which stood on the mound was one of the most important forts of Medininkai region and Samogitia. Medvėgalis castle was first mentioned in 1316 in written texts, when it was attacked by Teotonic forces. Medvėgalis is called the king of Samogitia hills, it is the highest hill in Samogitia, rising 234,6 metres above sea level.

The archaeological complex consists of Medvėgalis, Pilis, Piliorys, Ąžuolai, Sumonys, Alka, Bevardė hills. Medvėgalis Castle which stood on the mound was one of the most important forts of Medininkai region and Samogitia. Medvėgalis castle was first mentioned in 1316 in written texts, when it was attacked by Teotonic forces. Medvėgalis is called the king of Samogitia hills, it is the highest hill in Samogitia, rising 234,6 metres above sea level.

“Here and there the meadow with bushes swinging closer to the Sietuva stream. Those who are waiting for an impressive view, of course, are disappointed. However, if you don't believe in the secret Kūlgrindos, it is worth visiting, asking the locals, wading for a half a day and making sure it really is.” (by Č. Kudaba). Today to wade a Kūlgrinda is an extreme hike, that can be ordered or attended when it is organized.

The wooden Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Požerė was built by a nobleman P. Zaleskis in 1771. There was a chapter of the Laukuva parish. In 1905–1906 the church was reconstructed; a tower and four altars were built. The churchyard’s fence is made of stone.

The wooden Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Požerė was built by a nobleman P. Zaleskis in 1771. There was a chapter of the Laukuva parish. In 1905–1906 the church was reconstructed; a tower and four altars were built. The churchyard’s fence is made of stone. (The text was taken from the map of Varniai Regional Park).

Baubliai is the first museum of antiquities in Lithuania. The museum was founded by Samogitians noble, writer and historian Dionizas Poška (1764–1830) in a hollowed out oak trunk in 1812. Another oak trunk was built near Baublys (Baublys’ brother) in 1824.

Folk Crafts Museum was founded in 1973 m. The museum's collection contains about 3500 exhibits from Upyna neighbourhoods: household utensils, various craft tools, ancient agricultural machinery. Many items were collected in the eighties, when land reclamation was accelerated, and old farmsteads were destroyed.

Built in 1835-1836. It is wooden, built by folk masters according to local traditions, with classicist elements inherited from professional architecture.

Built in 1817. It is wooden, folk architecture, with stylistic elements. Two graceful towers with wrought ornamented crosses from XIXth century were raised on the roof ridge. The one-nave interior space ends in a three-walled presbytery (altar part). The church has three altars with the features of historicism.

Built in 1817. It is wooden, folk architecture, with stylistic elements. Two graceful towers with wrought ornamented crosses from XIXth century were raised on the roof ridge. The one-nave interior space ends in a three-walled presbytery (altar part). The church has three altars with the features of historicism.

Built in 1823. The church is wooden, folk architecture, as far as influenced by classicism. Above the roof rise two neo-Gothic towers with interestingly shaped metal sun-crosses. The rear facade incorporates an artistic wooden fake Crucified from XIXth century. Inside there are three altars in baroque style.

Jews – children, women, men – brought from Šilalė, Kaltinėnai and other places were shot here in August-September of 1941. At this place stands a black stone monument with a hexagonal star and an inscription that about 700 victims were killed and buried here.

The current brick church was built in 1905–1909. The church is neo-Gothic, cross-plan, single tower, with little towers reaching almost 60 meters high. The church was designed by the architect J. Dziekonski. The organ which remained in the church was built by master Bruno Goebel from Königsberg in 1912.

The current brick church was built in 1905–1909. The church is neo-Gothic, cross-plan, single tower, with little towers reaching almost 60 meters high. The church was designed by the architect J. Dziekonski. The organ which remained in the church was built by master Bruno Goebel from Königsberg in 1912.

In 2014 in the Pagramantis Regional Park, in the Pagramantis Forest, a partisan underground bunker was restored, where the 2nd (since 1948 of Jūra) special team of Lydys of the 3rd Company of the Kęstutis District (since 1948 of Butigeidis) was housed. This is the first partisan hideout unveiled in Šilalė district, telling about the struggle for the country's independence.

Built in 1796 at the expense of the landlord Ignotas Daujotas. In 1853 the church was reconstructed, but it is still in the "pure" folk style, which continued the traditions of building the very first churches in Samogitia. The church has a cross-in-square plan, one-nave, integral inner space.

Built in 1796 at the expense of the landlord Ignotas Daujotas. In 1853 the church was reconstructed, but it is still in the "pure" folk style, which continued the traditions of building the very first churches in Samogitia. The church has a cross-in-square plan, one-nave, integral inner space.

Built and equipped in 1935-1939. The building is wooden, folk architecture, cross-in-square plan. Above the tops of the trees rise the steeples of the tower rising above the main facade, another smaller tower is located on the opposite side. The view is enlivened by high arched windows and acoustic openings in the tower. Inside there are three altars with neo-baroque features.

Built in 1830. Its construction was founded by the son of the builder of the first church, the owner of local manor, Mykolas Valavičius. It is a late classicism plastered masonry building with a six-column portico. In the landscape of the town, the church is highlighted by a wooden rectangular tower rising above the main facade. The churchyard is surrounded by a traditional stone masonry fence with an expressive main gate.

Built in 1782 of ax-hewn spruce logs, clad on the outside with upright planks, a cross plan, with a baroque tower in the center, above which rises an ornamented iron cross. Folk traditions are reflected in the proportions of the building, its height equal to the width of the facade. The interior of the church is dominated by the Baroque style. A particularly ornate high altar, built in 1852, painted and gilded in 1854.

Built in 1906-1908 at the expense of Count Władysław Plater, the owner of the Great Seaside Manor, the parishioners also contributed. The church is red brick masonry, single-tower, eclectic, has neo-romantic and neo-Gothic architectural features. The most important accent is the decorative eclectic high altar of St. Joachim.

Built and equipped in 1956. The church was designed by Romanas Steikūnas in the traditions of Romanesque medieval architecture, so the building looks massive and severe. It is built of stones. The biggest decoration of the interior is three altars brought from Plungė in 1942. The Great – St. Virgin Mary – a professional work similar to the late baroque altar created at end of XVIIIth century. The more modest side altars have elements of classicism, at the point of appearance, could be created in the XIXth century.

To the south of the church, on Eitvydaičių Street, stands a house marked with a memorial plaque, where Dalia Grinkevičiūtė, an exile, doctor and writer, lived for several years.

A brick church built in 1852–1856 (designed by architect Timofejev, built by master Kaleda). The cornerstone was consecrated by Bishop M. Valancius. The church is of a rectangular layout, has two towers. The churchyard’s fence is made of stone masonry. Prelate Antanas Rubšys, a translator of the Holy Scripture into Lithuanian, is buried in the churchyard.

Built in 1989-1995. It is a building of modern sacral architecture with two triangular towers. The main interior accent is a white marble and bronze sculpture of the resurrected Christ of 4,5 meters height, which replaces the high altar and leads up the stairs towards the believers.

A mound located in the highlands on the right bank of the Jūra and Kisė, at the confluence of rivers. The mound dates back to the I thousand – the beginning of the II thousand. Accessed from the Seaside – Jomantai highway at the beginning of Jomantai turn to the right (east), after 800 m turn to the left (north-east) and after 500 m to the homestead (behind it). 19 legends are known about the mound.

The mound is located on a promontory on the left bank of Jūra, at its confluence with the Vėža (Druskis) stream. The site is now triangular, elongated in a north-south direction, 55 m long, only the 12 m wide eastern edge collapsing into Jūra has survived. The found parts of the sword, two spearheads, two bronze collars, the cross pin of the Xth – XIth centuries are mentioned in the territory of the mound. Gediminas Castle is located in the mound, according to the majority of historians. The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth century. 23 legends are known about the mound.

The mound, called Eržinkalnis, is located on the highlands, on the left bank of the Lokysta, at its tributary Virkulis. The mound is overgrown with single trees left after felling. There are stairs on the southwest slope. September 24 of 1394 year the description of the Crusaders' road to Medininkai region indicates their "first camp near Lokysta, where there is a castle site". The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth c. 19 legends are known about the mound.

The park was established in 2012 by local initiative of the community of active rural people, with the join of Šilalė district municipality, A. Stulginskis Lithuanian University of Agriculture and others. Until 2013 about 150 different trees and shrubs were planted in the park. There are two ponds, decorative flower beds, gazebos, sports ground.

The mound, also called Kepaluškalnis or Raguvija Hill, is located on the edge of a highland, on a promontory formed by two ravines. The slopes are steep, up to 20 m high. The mound is plowed, most of the embankments have been demolished and the ditches have been leveled. There is an altar in the center of the square, the flags of Lithuania's historical and Kaltinėnai eldership are waving. The mound dates back to the beginning of the II thousand. An original mound, surrounded even by several fastening rings. There are 4 legends known about the mound.

The Cross of Resurrection (sculptor J. Rupšys) with a height of 19 metres, which symbolizes the resurrection of the nation, stands in Dvasingumas Park. It is one of the highest crosses in Lithuania. A Lourdes was founded near the cross. There are 21 Stations of the Cross, created by 11 artists. Kaltinėnai Dvasingumas Park was founded by priest Petras Linkevičius in 1989–2006.

The mound is located on a promontory on the left bank of Jūra, at its confluence with the Vėža (Druskis) stream. The site is now triangular, elongated in a north-south direction, 55 m long, only the 12 m wide eastern edge collapsing into Jūra has survived. The found parts of the sword, two spearheads, two bronze collars, the cross pin of the Xth – XIth centuries are mentioned in the territory of the mound. Gediminas Castle is located in the mound, according to the majority of historians. The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth century. 23 legends are known about the mound.

The mound is located on a promontory on the left bank of Jūra, at its confluence with the Vėža (Druskis) stream. The site is now triangular, elongated in a north-south direction, 55 m long, only the 12 m wide eastern edge collapsing into Jūra has survived. The found parts of the sword, two spearheads, two bronze collars, the cross pin of the Xth – XIth centuries are mentioned in the territory of the mound. Gediminas Castle is located in the mound, according to the majority of historians. The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth century. 23 legends are known about the mound.

The mound is located on a promontory on the left bank of Jūra, at its confluence with the Vėža (Druskis) stream. The site is now triangular, elongated in a north-south direction, 55 m long, only the 12 m wide eastern edge collapsing into Jūra has survived. The found parts of the sword, two spearheads, two bronze collars, the cross pin of the Xth – XIth centuries are mentioned in the territory of the mound. Gediminas Castle is located in the mound, according to the majority of historians. The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth century. 23 legends are known about the mound.

The mound is located on a promontory on the left bank of Jūra, at its confluence with the Vėža (Druskis) stream. The site is now triangular, elongated in a north-south direction, 55 m long, only the 12 m wide eastern edge collapsing into Jūra has survived. The found parts of the sword, two spearheads, two bronze collars, the cross pin of the Xth – XIth centuries are mentioned in the territory of the mound. Gediminas Castle is located in the mound, according to the majority of historians. The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth century. 23 legends are known about the mound.

The mound is located on a promontory on the left bank of Jūra, at its confluence with the Vėža (Druskis) stream. The site is now triangular, elongated in a north-south direction, 55 m long, only the 12 m wide eastern edge collapsing into Jūra has survived. The found parts of the sword, two spearheads, two bronze collars, the cross pin of the Xth – XIth centuries are mentioned in the territory of the mound. Gediminas Castle is located in the mound, according to the majority of historians. The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth century. 23 legends are known about the mound.

The mound is located on a promontory on the left bank of Jūra, at its confluence with the Vėža (Druskis) stream. The site is now triangular, elongated in a north-south direction, 55 m long, only the 12 m wide eastern edge collapsing into Jūra has survived. The found parts of the sword, two spearheads, two bronze collars, the cross pin of the Xth – XIth centuries are mentioned in the territory of the mound. Gediminas Castle is located in the mound, according to the majority of historians. The mound dates back to the I thousand – XIVth century. 23 legends are known about the mound.

Šilalė region is a part of a historical Karšuva land. Here you can see 34 mounds, including the highest hill of Samogitia – Medvėgalis, as well as Bilionysmound, which is supposed to be one of the famousPilėnai locations. Bilionys is sometimes called Pilionys by local people and can be associatedwith legendary Pilenai.Here you can also see the oldest and smallest museum in Lithuania – Baubliai, the birthplace of the famous pilot StasysGirėnas, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Snieginė with the only oak altars in Lithuania.The region is famous for its cultural, historical monuments and surrounding nature.

The virtual tour is designed to present the most visited objects in Šilalė region – it is a realistic model of selected objects.
Visitors of the tour feel as if they are actually visiting the object – they can observe the environment in all directions from the ground and from the sky, enter the building, read about the object. This is a virtual tour of the Šilalėregion.The tour consists of high-resolution high-quality photos, it is presented in Lithuanian, English and German.

• The project was carried out by ŠilalėVladasStatkevičius Museum
• The project was funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture
• Project partners:UAB Inverse and Gidas360

Project business partners:

• Varniai Regional Park