Šatrija - the queen of Samogitia (lithuanian: Žemaitija).

„Čia ne kalnas: čia varpas, kuris kadaise, pririštas baltom debesų juostom, sūpavosi į visas puses ir, linksmai mėtydamas auksinę šerdį, plačiai plačiai skambėjo...“ (english: It is not a hill: it is a bell, which once was with white stripes of clouds and was rocking to all directions while with fun it swung its golden core which was loudly, loudly heard..." - (Mieželaitis, 1974).

People were living downhill from the II century B.C. It is believed that this was the centre of the old faiths of the Lithuanians that were destroyed after the christening of the Samogitians.

From Šatrija that rises 228.7 m above the sea level, the view is very unique and distinguishes from all the Samogitian mountains. Šatrija is a great observation spot from which you can see the chimneys of Sprūdė, Girgždūtė, Medvėgalis mounds, Žąsugalė, Žiograkalnis, Kietkalnis hills, Luokė, Telšiai, Užventis, Upyna and even the Akmenė cement factory chimneys, and at night - the lights of Kuršėnai and Mažeikiai.

„Šitas kalnas ne pats aukščiausias žemėje – yra ir aukštesnių. Bet nuo šito kalno gali apžvelgti labai tolimus mūsų gintarinius akiračius. Ir todėl mums Šatrija – aukščiausias kalnas...“ (english: "This hill is not the biggest on Earth - there are bigger ones. But standing on this mountain one can see our distant amber eyes. Because of that, Šatrija is the biggest mountain for us...") - (Mieželaitis, 1974).

In Samogitian (lithuanian: Žemaitija), the name stands as Luokė. By the order of Vytautas the Great here, has been erected the first of Samogitia's churches, a rectory and a bishops manor. Throughout all of its history, Luokė was famous with its trading and even had its own scale - Luokė scale. In XVII century, Jews came to Luokė and due to their activities small businesses and crafting activities flourished. Luokė was famous due to a Lithuanian hero Tadas Blinda.

A rectory was founded in Luokė in 1416. When and where the first church of Luokė was built remains unknown. During 1421 - 1842, Luokė belonged to Samogitian bishops.

It is unknown how many times the Luokė church has been rebuilt. The churches construction and renovation works were looked after the XVI century Samogitian bishops. The church is made from wood, cross-planned and has a tower. The church has wooden church bell which is encircled with a masonry fence.

According to Juzumas, "The first church in Luokė was built after the destruction of pagan altar and after the extinguishing of the fire that burned for Perkūnas (Lithuanian God of Thunder) on the infamous Šatrija, or Ketra (Cetra) hill". It is believed that Luokė church is one of the 8 churches that were built during the Samogitan christenings.

The House of the Masters is one of the two remaining wooden houses of this type of baroque period surviving in Lithuania.

The fire of 2004 that has taken place has destroyed the glazed XVIII century fireplaces and oven in the House of Masters and destroyed the Gorsky "Nalench" and the "Tromby" armorial bearings. During the reconstruction of the building, an attempt was made to restore the furnace and the fireplaces similar to the former ones.

Biržuvėnai Manor House is an extremely valuable example of the XVIII-XIX century wooden architectural heritage. This is the only farmstead in Lithuania which has a representative courtyard dating back to the XVIII century wooden buildings. The Manor House officine, the chariot building and stables are the only ones of the XVIII century examples of wooden architecture in Lithuania. The entire Manor House occupies an area of over 80 hectares, which contains 22 objects.

On the shore of river Virvytė, at the Kūlio Dauba village, stands a water mill built in 1851. In it, grains were grinded and prepared. The mill was stone-based and also had wooden construction elements. In order to fully conserve its heritage and to adapt it for tourism purposes, the mill's reconstruction works took place. When the rebuild of the mill was carried out with the authentic pieces left within, it was given the name of the Angels mill.

Kūlio Dauba water mill, alongside with its technological equipment, is a Cultural Heritage site. All of the mill's technological equipment are maintained and can be seen/demonstrated how it operates.

Spiginas Horn - a unique mesolite monument. The remains of the mesolithic camp were found here, as well as a large collection of flint works. The ancient inhabitants buried the deceased on the isle of the Spiginas hill. There were 4 tombs found in it. One of them is the oldest - of stone-age people, fishermen and hunters, tomb is one of the oldest in Eastern Baltics, dated 2870-2470 B.C.

Sprūdė mound, also called Šaukšteliai mound, is one of the most distinctive landscapes of the central part of the Varniai regional park, with its highest peak rising above the sea level at 216 m. From a side view, its shape reminds a huge animal. The head is the hill itself, and the body and tail continue to the east. The sides of the mound have well preserved protective ramparts, as well as the oncoming road.

It is tempting to climb the Sprudė mound. It is said that once a castle was built here by the duke Sprūdeikis. From this comes the name of the mound. On the top there is an observation deck with 23 objects engraved in the stone. From here you can see the view of the largest lake of Varniai, where the Biržulis, Stervas and Lūkstas are. Also, from the hill you can observe Varniai, Luokė, Šatrija, Girgždutė and Medvėgalis mounds.

Sklepkalnis also has a columbarium of Pavandenė landowners of Sakeliai family that was sanctified by G. F. Cirtautas. After WWII it has been demolished and the defiled bodies were reburied to the family grave on the top of the hill.

There is a small hill near the Gludas lake - the Pavandenė sacred hill. Close to it, on the very Gludos shore, in the beginning of the 20th century, was a beautiful stone manor of the Sakeliai family and a windmill. Unfortunately, neither the mill nor the manor survived - only broken into cemetery graves of the Sakeliai (columbarium).

The priest seminary was founded in Varniai in 1622. In 1770, late baroque style Samogitian priest seminary mansion was built. During the XIX century when Vilnius University was closed, the Varniai priest seminary and the Faculty of Medicine were the only left higher education institutions in Lithuania. The following people attended higher education in Varniai: A. Vienažindis, A. Strazdas, J. A. Pabrėža, M. Valančius, A. Baranauskas. Since 1999, in this building there is a Samogitian Diocese Museum.

In the renovated southern building side a continuous exposition takes place that presents the Samogitian Diocese history, art and memorial heritage. The prior use of premises was the seminary's landlord's apartment and a dining room (refectory). At present, these premises are ever-expanding for continuous exhibition purposes.

At non-renovated northern flag the premises are for temporary exhibitions. The stairs lead to the main hall, and by going down the stairs one can reach the basement, where food reserves were stored. Currently, a bell that has been made in Varniai bell factory is displayed there. In the corridor you will be able to get acquainted with the Bishop M. Valančius's sobriety movement exhibition, an impressive Bishop's sculpture model and ancient tombstone crosses.

Senieji Varniai are adorned with beautiful achitecrue of former Samogitian (english: Žemaičių) priest seminary, Varniai Catherdral and St. Alexander's church.

The church is built of plastered masonry, is of baroque basilica style, cross-sectioned, has two towers. The building is massive, has a modest exterior and rich interior. It is one of the oldest in Samogitia and an interesting architectural monument. In the churchyard - a St. Mary's statue.

The Cathedral has numerous art pieces - 12 altars, a chapel, a central altar and the Bishop's throne. Famous Samogitian portraiture gallery, 17-20 century liturgical textile collection, liturgical utensils and other accessories. The presbytery has seats for Members of the capital and the Bishop. The organ balcony is of moderate baroque form. The organ itself is mechanic with an original piping.

Underneath the church, is located the Samogitian Bishops' crypt. Here, Samogitian Bishops were buried. In the centre of the crypt, on a lowered wooden pedestal are two coffins in which lie two earthly remains of Juozapas Arnulfas Giedraitis († 1838) and Simonas Mykolas Geidraitis († 1844), as well as Jurgis Giedraitis († 2000) after-death mask.

Varniai Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is the former Cathedral built in 1681 - 1691 by the Samogitian (english: Žemaičių) Bishop Kazimierz Pac expenses. The location was a secure one - an artificial Varnelė river island.

During the last 600 years it is the fourth church at this location. The current one was built in 1770 and is of late Lithuanian baroque and wooden fold architecture examples. When the Diocese centre was moved to Kaunas, in 1865 it name was changed to Old Varniai Church.

Inside there are five altars. The centre altar has a painting „Šv. Aleksandras, Kapadokijos vyskupas“ - (english: "St. Alexander, Bishop of Cappadocia"). On the sides - a painting „Švč. Mergelė. Marija Sopulingoji“ (english: "Holy Mary in pain") and „Šv. Antanas Paduvietis“ (english: "St. Anthony of Padua").

The first church built in Varniai is of 1414-1416. Consecrated Vytautas the Great and named after Alexander. It is believed that this church is the first one of the 8 built in Samogitia after the christening of the Samogitians.

Varniai city centre is a former market square, which now is Medininkai square. Here, three roads collide, which lead from Varniai to Telšiai, Tverai and Laukuva. In the city centre you can find the Varniai parish building. Near from it is the Samogitian (lithuanian: Žematijos) bishopric museum, St. Alexander's church, pharmacies and shops.

Varniai Regional Park Visitors Centre is located in Ožtakiai village on one of the highest hills in the area. In the past, this place was called "Vožtakiai" (Samogitian word "goat" is "vuožys"), that is "goat trails". According to the legend, in the Dumbriai swamps lived the Dumbriai uncles - the devils, who in daylight shape-shifted into goats and into young men in the evenings. Once here was a palivark homestead, a collective farm centre and a forest.

Varniai Regional Park Visitors Centre has an exposition "Seven roads from Varniai". It presents the values of the nature and cultural heritage of the Varniai Regional Park, the Samogitian dialect, the former castles of Samogitia and the fortress system, a map shows the castle mounds, sacred mountains, cognitive paths, the only collection of amber from the Lithuania's lake (Lūkstas lake), as well as the Birds Voice Day Clock.

„Kiekvienas užkopimas į Medvėgalį yra dosniai atlyginamas iškalbiu reginiu, gimtos žemės galios pajautimais.“ - (english: "Every time one gets up to Medvėgalis, the beautiful scene that one sees is as a remuneration of power of the native land") - (Č. Kudaba)

Medvėgalis archaeological complex in 2006 was customized for attendance of the visitors. Installed were trails, stairs, parking lots, benches, a fireplace, a place for events and a complex sculpture - a monument for the Samogitian - the Medininkai fighters tribe. The author - sculptor Dalia Matulaitė.

Pilies hill greatness is best seen from the Antakalnis suburb. Defence walls and the mound can be well seen. At the foot of the hill is an ancient settlement. For some time, Medvėgalis fortress was headed by the famous Pilėnai Margiris. According to the legends, the castle was so strong that it could not be penetrated by the Teutonic order warriors for a long time, and after its burning the defenders' strength was transferred... to the hills.

The Medvėgalis archaeological complex consists of the hills of Medvėgalis, Pilies, Pilierai, Ažuolų, Sumonai, Alka and Bevardė hills with a stone pavement (lithuanian: kūlgrinda). The Medvėgalis castle, located at the mound, is one of the most important fortifications of the Medininkai and the Samogitia (english: Žemaitija) region. The Medvėgalis castle is mentioned since 1316, when it was attacked by the crusaders. Medvėgalis is the king of the mountains of the Samogitia region, rising above the sea level at 234.6 meters and is the highest place in Samogitia.

The wooden Požerė Atomenemnt of Christ Church was built in 1771 by the great P. Zaleckis. Here stood the Laukuva parish branch. During 1905-1906 it was reconstructed, a tower and four altars were added. The churchyard fence is made of stone.

Charming XVII century carvers' work of altars, stylish pulpit, organ and a beautifully carved rococo processions altar. This altar is circled by people on their knees. The church has a said to be magical Christ atonement statue that was transferred from a collapsing Ivoniškis manor chapel. In August, the Christ atonement brings the believers together.

The farmstead is protected as a monument of folk architecture. It consists of four of the beginning of the XIX-XX centuries buildings: a tavern-grain dryer, a house, a barn and a woodshed with a basement. A particularly interesting barn, of which the walls are built-up with extremely thick, oak logs that have naturally bended over time. According to the investigators, the Bilioniai have only had these types of farmsteads - large, richly planted, having own ponds and huge gardens.

Bilioniai mound is also called Šventakalnis or Švedkalnis. The mound is located on a large hill above the sea level at 204 m. Viewing it from the Žemaičiai highway - it looks as a pyramid with steps. At the southern foot of the hill is located an ancient settlement.

Paršpilis consists of two mounds. The first mound - Castle Hill is to the west of Lake Paršežeris and the second mound - Papilys is to the south-east from the first one, behind the Melnija river. The hill is low, surrounded by swamps. The cultural layer is clear. A stone sharpener was found, pieces of broken pots and burnt clay plaster.

Here is the Sietuva landscape reserve. Hills, valleys, swamps, a lake and lowlands with waters - all resembles the typical landscape of the hilly Samogitia (english: Žemaitija). Here is the locations of the Paršežeris lake, Paršpilis mound, Sietuva kūlgrinda and the Burbiškiai cemetery.

Vembūtai mound is a castle's ravine. Perhaps here was the only entrance to the castle of Žemaitija Duke Vykintas, the gate to the castle. Geruliukas river could have been a defensive ditch of the western ravine which was dug up at times of Vykintas. The mound is of I - XIII century period. At the southern side, in 2003, in area of 5 ha, a settlement of I - II century was investigated.

Here could have very well been the Samogitian (lithuanian: Žemaičių) Duke's Vykintas castle place that took over 50 ha of territory. The well-preserved defensive ditches, mysterious huge boulders and broken stones are the remnants of former fortifications. In the second decade, thanks to the Samogitians, the castle was beautifully looked after. The symbolic gates of the castle were erected, a memorial stone, and the Duke's Vykintas oak park was established.

It is the third highest mound of Samogitia (lithuanian: Žemaitija) of Lithuania that rises 228 m. above the sea level. The Girgždutė hill is very impressive - having two peaks. The lower hill peak was used for pagan rituals, and the upper one had a castle on top of it. This location holds stories about buried underwater treasures, a church that disappeared straight to the ground and tales of sacrificed rams.

The first church in Janapolė town, at those times located in Viržuvėnai, was built until 1748. It was changed, reconstructed and increased in size. The church was built by bishop Jonas Dominykas Lopacinskis (polish: Jan Dominik Łopaciński) at the beginning of the XVIII century and still remains to our days. In 1887 it was allowed to rebuild its tower, bell tower and the grave chapel. The churchyard fence is made of stone masonry. In it, stands a wooden two-storied bell tower.

The folk-shaped wooden church is of rectangular plan with an apse and a tower. There are 4 altars in it. In its forms, it resembles the architectural traditions of the time in Samogitia (lithuanian: Žemaitija), which were to be simplistic. The church does not lack a light blue sky and golden yellow colours.

Pavandenė church was built in 1620. The present form of folk architecture, having a rectangular plan - a single tower having church was built in 1802. The bell tower was built in 1845. During the XVII-XVIII centuries, near the church, there was a school and a library, and during 1912-1914 - a department of Lithuanian Catholic Sobriety. There are 14 chapels of the Calvary Way of the Cross in the churchyard.

St. Anne's church together with the bell tower is an example of sacral architecture, where one can also identify the Baroque and folk architecture elements. It has 5 altars.

The name of the mound is derived from a mountain silhouette, which resembles a figure of a lying woman. From the distance, the eastern part of the hill is similar to the head of a woman, in the centre of the hill, a two-part hill - the chest and the western part of the hill is like a body of the woman who is resting. The mound is of massive height, elevated from the sea level to 219 m. at its peak next to the Gludas lake.

„Šen ir ten pieva su krūmais, arčiau prie Sietuvos upelio linguoja. Kas laukia įspūdingo vaizdo, žinoma, nusivils. Tačiau – jei nelabai tiki slaptom kūlgrindom – verta apsilankyti, paklausinėti vietinių, pabraidyti pusdienį ir įsitikinti, kad tokia yra.“ (english: “Here and there a meadow with shrubs which close to the river of Sietuva grow. The ones who seek a spectacular scene, of course, will find it here. But if you do not really believe in secret stone pavement (lithuanian: kūlgrinda) - it is worth visiting this site, talk to the locals, wade in the water for some time and make sure this place exists.“) - Č. Kudaba. Currently, crossing the Kūlgrinda is an extreme trip, which can be arranged and you can take part in it when it is organised.

The peak of Žąsūgala is 210 m. above the sea level. In the south and east streams the Žąsūgala river and magnificent Samogitian (english: Žemaitijos) highlands can be observed. The hill slopes are very steep - M. Valančius has fallen off this cliff and was cursing on it. This hill is named after geese who would rest on it.

In the Varniai Regional Park one can view the highest Samogitia's (lithuanian: Žemaitijos) hills, exceptional mounds, archaeological complexes, religious and traditional wooden architecture.

The virtual tour is provided for the Varniai Regional Park's Cultural Heritage presentation and stands as the most realistic model of chosen objects. This tour presents the most important Varniai Regional Park's Cultural Heritage objects. The visitors of the tour can feel as if they would be naturally visiting the site - can view it in all directions, hear an audio-guide, see the view in 3D using the 3D glasses. The virtual tour is made of high-resolution and exceptional quality photos and is presented in Lithuanian and English languages.

• The project was carried out by the Directorate of the Varniai Regional Park
• The project was funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture
• Project partner - UAB Inverse and Gidas360

Projekto dalykiniai partneriai:

• The Diocese of Telšiai, Varniai Rectory of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Janapolės St. Archangel Michael's Rectory, Pavandenė Rectory of Church of St. Anne
• Samogitian Museum "Alka"