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EXCURSION “JURBARKAS-SMALININKAI. SOVIET MANEUVERS NEAR THE NEMUNAS.”
Over the centuries, the Nemunas saw not only merchant ships, entertaining, and resting residents, but it was also a place of fights. Everyone knows the defensive system of castles to fight the Crusaders.
Described battles during various wars.
For more than 500 years, the border between Germany and Lithuania went near Smalininkai by the Šventoji stream.
And now by the Nemunas, the border runs between the states – Lithuania and Russia. Arriving in Smalininkai, which is in the Jurbarkas district, on the other side of the river you can see the Kaliningrad region.
During the Soviet period, maneuvers were very common near the Nemunas. Military machinery moved across the Nemunas via pontoon bridges. Tanks rode in the fields, helicopters flew. In 1971, an international military training ground was established near Jurbarkas, Kiduliai. The exercise was attended by soldiers from several countries – Russians, Poles, Germans, Hungarians, Czechoslovakians, Romanians, etc.
During the tour, we will visit the places where the exercises took place, look at the remaining military equipment, taste military porridge, take photos with Soviet cameras, look at communication devices.
The tour will take place in Jurbarkas, Kiduliai, Smalininkai.
During the tour in Palankinė village, in Šakiai district, you will be able to climb a mound, which was poured 40 years ago, covered with asphalt, so that high-ranking soldiers could observe the battlefield. A witness to those events will tell about the imitation of nuclear war, the peculiarities of fishing with amphibians.
There will be an opportunity to take photos with old Soviet cameras and highlight the photos.
Lunch – military porridge cooked in a bonfire.
In the Smalininkai Museum of Ancient Technology, you will see various military communication devices – transmitters, cameras, etc., we will get acquainted with the ways of their operation.
The tour is for groups. Distance from Jurbarkas to Palankinė village – 4 km, from Jurbarkas to Smalininkai – 12 km.
The route was prepared by guide Nijolė Paulikienė
Phone: 370 698 40785, e-mail: niolepaul@gmail.com
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Litvak cultural heritage in Jurbarkas (with kosher food education)
The history of Lithuanian Jews, or Litvaks, dates back to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The history of the Jewish community of Jurbarkas dates back to the 15th century. Before the Second World War, about 90% of all shops in Jurbarkas were owned by Jews. We invite you to travel along the wonderful route of the Paradise Road to Jurbarkas and to explore the pages of an interesting, significant, unusual and painful history.
- Belvederis Manor
- Panemuniai Regional Park Visitor Centre
- Education “Secrets of kosher food”
- Vincas Grybas Memorial Museum
You will leave in the morning. You will drive towards Jurbarkas, along the spectacular Heaven’s Road. One of the most original architectural structures – Belvederis Manor – will be waiting for you near Seredžius. After years of damage, the manor is being reborn and you can watch this process on arrival. This Lithuanian palace with romantic and neo-gothic features was built on the model of Italian villas. Another unique feature is that when the palace was built, the windows, doors and steps were designed in such a way that the windows are as many as the number of weeks in a year, the doors as many as the number of months in a year and the steps as many as the number of days in a year. When you arrive, you will be able to admire and calculate it all for yourself. The Panemuniai Regional Park Visitor Centre will be waiting for you further along the route. This visitor centre is located in the former Šilinė tavern. It houses a modern and unique exposition “Nemunas and Life near it”. There will be plenty of activities to do – browse the smart terminals, pass through the sieles, hear the animals and birds of the Panemunė River, take a boat trip and see much more! You will arrive in Jurbarkas. It is said that if you haven’t tasted the imberlach that children used to make, if you don’t know what freshly baked challah smells like – you haven’t been to Jurbarkas. Why was it necessary to brick up the pot in the oven, what is cime, what food and medicine grew very well in Panemunė? What is a kosher egg and what could not be eaten? You will learn all this during the education. And you will have a hearty lunch to the sound of Hebrew songs. As you walk around Jurbarkas, you will turn the pages of Litvak history, learn about their cultural heritage, observe the surviving architectural details, hear about social life, and relations between Jews and Lithuanians. The city was founded on the historic land of Karšuva, on the right bank of the Nemunas. A sightseeing tour of the city. You will visit Jurbarkas Old Town, walk along the famous Kaunas Street, where once not only residents but also merchants were established. At the end of the 19th century, the first brick buildings were built. The town’s life was bustling with markets, taverns, artisan shops, a knitting mill, a sewing mill, a watchmaker’s shop, banks, hotels and a synagogue. You will reach the Synagogue Square Memorial, which commemorates the life of many Jews in Jurbarkas and the tragic fate of the community. It reflects the wooden synagogue of Jurbarkas, once one of the most beautiful in Europe, the names and occupations of the Jews who lived in Jurbarkas, and the Jurbarkas citizens who saved Jews during the war. The monument reflects five symbols: the river Nemunas, the Hebrew alphabet, the community, the holy city of Jerusalem and the house of prayer. You will also see the oldest monument in Jurbarkas, dedicated to Vytautas the Great. It was built in 1930 by sculptor Vincas Grybas. This bust monument is characterised by its romantic grandeur, historical decoration, sophisticated technique, and the excellent quality of the materials that have protected the monument’s forms from the effects of nature. This is the place where the citizens of Jurbarkas celebrate public holidays. You will visit Jurbarkas Manor Park. In a beautiful location on the left bank of the Mituva River, Prince Vasilchikov built a stylish palace with a small, but rather ornate stone church. The former manor park was established in the mid-19th century. The park covers about 9 hectares and has a mixed layout. The park’s nursery consists of native maples, lindens and birches, with oaks and hornbeams mixed in. European larches and black pines grow in the alleys. The main avenue connects the classical palace with the former ornamental gateway. You will visit the Vincas Grybas Memorial Museum, located in the heart of the Manor Park. The museum of the famous Lithuanian sculptor, who met a tragic fate, displays personal belongings, furniture and works of art. In the evening, you will return to your home.
The tour is arranged by the tour operator “Kelionių laikas”.
For more information: https://www.kelioniulaikas.lt/kelione/litvaku-kulturos-palikimas-jurbarke.
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Route-visitor attraction “Kaunas Street Tells”
When you arrive at the oldest street in Jurbarkas – Kaunas Street, or Jurbarkas Old Town, we suggest you start your route from the Jurbarkas Holy Trinity Church, with a giant bell hanging beside it. It was brought back to life in June 2013 by the Rotary Club of Jurbarkas, replacing the old bell that was destroyed during the war, and consecrated by the pastor of the Holy Trinity Church of Jurbarkas, Monsignor Kęstutis Grabauskas.
The first thing you’ll see when you turn down the oldest street is the mysterious “Pantera” sculpture. It is said that Medeina, the chief goddess of the pagans, used to be incarnated in the Panthera, not wanting to show her true face. By transforming herself into Pantera, this goddess secretly helped women to raise children and men to hunt. After the day’s work, Pantera would return to her goddess friends. The Panthera, was trusted by humans. They built her idols and gave her gifts. Today, the monumental sculpture on Kaunas Street reminds us of pagan times and the legends of that time.
Further along, a fountain invites you to refresh yourself. It is as if to say that Jurbarkas has always been associated with water, as it is located at the confluence of three rivers. It is also home to the Knecht, an inseparable attribute of shipping. It is a device for tying up boats, reminding us that Jurbarkas has always been a maritime town. The knecht symbolises the heyday of seafaring in the past.
Nearby is the “Sculpture of the Jurbarkas region’s fisherman”. The Žiobrinės festival, which is unique to this region, was a celebration where fish, strung on twigs, were roasted in the heat of a bonfire. This is a centuries-old tradition of the fishermen of the Nemunas. It is said that even the President of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona, once visited the fishponds. He liked the grilled fish so much that the baker, Onutė Mikutaitė, was invited to the Presidential Palace to prepare this dish for the President’s guests.
On the other side of the road, a monumental sculpture tells the story of the towns along the Nemunas. The towns are located one after the other along the Nemunas – from Seredžius to Viešvilė. The sculpture depicts the coats of arms of these towns. It is like an invitation to visit, explore and discover their beauty.
Jurbarkas Kaunas Street was the main business artery of the city. Many craftsmen, traders, tailors and other businesses operated here. And where there is business, there is money. In the interwar period, the first bank – the Jurbarkas Commercial Mutual Credit Society – operated in the house marked Kaunas Street No. 33. This monumental plaque is a reminder of the beginning of credit intermediation in Jurbarkas. It is pleasing that even today this tradition is successfully continued by the Jurbarkas Credit Union.
Since the 20th century, Jurbarkas has been famous for its gold miners. The craftsmen had rolling machines for making gold-silver jewellery.
This sculpture has the names of the businessmen who used to operate on this street woven in between the rolls. Lives are sometimes twisted between the merciless rollers, and a lock from 1940 indicates that jewellery-making activities were shut down when Soviet nationalisation began. The families of the most famous jewellers in Jurbarkas – the Puliarovičiai, the Abramovičiai, the Krelicai – lived and worked in the house marked Kaunas Street No. 31.
Synagogue Square Memorial
The central element of the memorial rises above the waves like a raft. On top is a sculptural composition reminiscent of the old wooden synagogue in Jurbarkas. This synagogue was the main place of prayers and the heart of the Jewish community of Jurbarkas. A synagogue of unspeakable beauty, it was the pride of the entire community. People travelled from far and wide to see it. In the late summer of 1941, the Nazis and the local coloborants destroyed the synagogue and the entire Jewish community of Jurbarkas.
On Kaunas Street, house No. 64, a black marble memorial plaque on the wall reminds that the bodies of the murdered defenders of freedom of Lithuania were desecrated in this square from 1945 to 1953.
For further information, please contact us by email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt or 8 447 51485
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Excursion “Nemunas – Lithuanian Defence Line”
Between Kaunas and Jurbarkas, the “Heaven’s Road” winds along the Nemunas River. Along the way, we will visit many interesting places commemorating the Lithuanian battles against the Crusaders. The Nemunas has always been important – it was used by the Crusaders to take over the country. That’s why Lithuanians built defensive castles on the steep slopes of the Nemunas. The Crusaders also built castles here, but closer to the river.
Fragments of the defensive line of the Nemunas valley – the hillforts and mounds on the slopes of the Nemunas valley from the 13th to 15th centuries – have been remarkably preserved until today. The most impressive of them are Palemonas Hill, Gediminas Tomb, Peace Hill, Kartupėnai Mound. All of them were the sites of strong Lithuanian castles, described in German chronicles. There are also interesting remaining Crusader strongholds of Seredžius and Veliuona with their histories.
We will visit these castle sites and see how they differ from the Lithuanian ones. We will visit the town of Veliuona, where the mounds “Gediminas Tomb” and “Peace Hill” remind us of the fierce battles against the Crusaders.
Monument to Duke Vytautas of the GDL, the coat of arms of Veliuona and many other signs. We will climb up to the castle mound on which Bisenė Castle stood – the first castle in Lithuania attacked by the Crusaders.
The war was not only on land. It was also fought on the Nemunas. There is a famous ship battle between Lithuanians and Crusaders. You can find out where this battle took place by taking a trip along the defensive line of the Nemunas. You’ll meet a medieval warrior, try your hand at archery, feel how much a sword weighs and maybe even ride a horse!
Points of interest: Seredžius town with its castle mound called “Palemonas Hill”, Seredžius Castle site “Palocėliai”, on which the Crusader castle stood, Veliuona Castle mound “The Tomb of Gediminas” and a monument to the Duke of GDL Gediminas, the castle mound “The Hill of Peace”, fragments of the Veliuona Manor and a park with yellow-flowered tulip trees, the Church of the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary founded by Duke Vytautas of GDL (there is a possibility to climb the church tower), the centre of Veliuona and the monument to Duke Vytautas the Great of GDL, the sundial, the coat of arms of Veliuona, the Castle of Veliuona “Pilaitės” where the Crusaders’ motto-type castle used to stand, and the Kartupėnai Castle Mound.
Duration 4 hours. Price:
For a group of 10-19 persons the price is 6 Eur. per person.
For a group of 20-50 persons the price is EUR 4 per person.
For excursions please contact:
Panemuniai Regional Park Authority
Phone. 867405359, E-mail. greta.sulcaite@prpd.lt www.prpd.lt
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“Smalininkai – The Eternal Border”
(Cultural, educational and tourist programme in Smalininkai)
“Smalininkai – The Eternal Border” is a 2-hour journey in a time machine to the past, full of serious and fun surprises. You will discover the life and history of a border town in Lithuania Minor or East Prussia. When you arrive here, you don’t know who you will meet, what you will see, who will stop you and maybe even imprison you…
For those who want to get to Lithuania Minor
Information by phone
/ visas, permits and other good things / +370 60795971
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„Follow the path of the Lords“
(Cultural – tourist route)
Do you want to know why Jurbarkas is a royal city? And maybe see what amazing castles and mansions stretches on the right bank of the Nemunas?
Follow the path of the rulers, become true dukes, and conquer castles and mansions.
By the way, nobody has done it yet, but maybe you will be lucky…
PROGRAM:
- Mountain of Palemonas (Seredžius);
- Veliuona;
- Raudonė Castle;
- Lunch at Panemunė Castle or the place of your choice will be prepared by the „Smalininkų Gaspadinė“;
- Panemunė Castle;
- Jurbarkas Manor Park;
- Can be accommodation;
Total length of the route – 45 km.
For more information, please email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt
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„How are the Nemunas and honey related?“
(Cultural, educational program „Medaus Slėnis“)
We offer to experience and see life near the Nemunas. Get acquainted with old fishing, feel the trip to the Nemunas.
After work, you can head to the „Medaus Slėnis“, where you’ll taste different types of honey, learn how to smell, and distinguish honey types by color and taste.
And yet, what is the connection between the Nemunas and honey?
PROGRAM:
- Exhibition „Nemunas – Life Near It” in Panemunė Regional Park, Šilinė;
- Honey tasting in „Medaus Slėnis“;
- Accommodation at the „Medaus slėnis“ campsite (Šilinė).
For more information, please email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt
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„National heritage preservers – Jurbarkas district museums.“
(Cultural – tourist route)
Jurbarkas wealth – historical background, cultural heritage, human creative legacy – guarded museums in our country. Different expositions of the museum reveal the uniqueness of the Jurbarkas region. A distinctive feature of museums is that they are all housed in architectural and historical heritage sites of the 19th century, in manor buildings, homesteads. A unique environment extends boundaries and creates another original, open-air exposure.
PROGRAM:
- Stonis Museum of Antique Techniques in Smalininkai;
- Jurbarkas Regional Museum;
- Memorial Museum of Vincas Grybas;
- Panemuniai Regional Park Visitor Center exposition „Nemunas – life near it“;
- Veliuona Regional Museum;
- Cvirka Memorial Museum – ethnographic homestead.
For more information, please email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt
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„Jurbarkas natural routes“
(The natural route)
The Nemunas road is rich in nature’s perfectly created landscape. The landscape is adorned by hilly river bends, green forests and woods, which occupy one-third of the territory of the district, oak groves cherished and worshiped in ancient Lithuania, magnificent Renaissance castles and decorative parks surrounding the palace.
PROGRAM:
- Road decoration in Little Lithuania (Smalininkai) – old oaks;
- Manor park of Jurbarkas;
- Vytautas Magnus Park in Jurbarkas;
- Panemunė Castle Park;
- Lunch at Panemunė Castle restaurant or the place of your choice – „Smalininkų Gaspadinė“ will offer you its menu;
- Raudonė Castle Park;
- Veliuona Manor Park.
The total length of the route – 47,5 km.
For more information, please email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt
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„Cultural, economic and culinary heritage of Lithuanian Jews in Jurbarkas district towns.“
The route passes through former shtetls (towns where Jewish communities lived). We will look for former synagogues. You will hear about people who have lived here for centuries, who were born in Lithuania, loved, built their own homes, business. You will find out what Jews did, how they lived with Lithuanians. You will learn about Jewish customs and traditions. You will hear about the fate of the Jews of the Klaipėda region. There will be an opportunity to taste Jewish cuisine. The excursion can be started from Smalininkai, Jurbarkas or Seredžius.
PROGRAM:
- Seredžius – birthplace of Al Jolson;
- Veliuona – Town Square. Synagogue;
- Panemunė Castle – you can order lunch;
- Šilinė – Former inn;
- Jurbarkas – Old Town. Synagogue Square;
- Smalininkai – Port. Railway Station.
Duration of tour: 6 – 7 hours. The length of the route is 60 km.
Guide Nijolė Paulikienė, phone: 8 698 40785.
For more information, please email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt or call: 8 447 51485.
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„Quiet Synagogue Square“
(Route around the city of Jurbarkas)
During the tour, we will take a look at the houses where the Jews lived for centuries. We will go down to the cellars where the goods were transported by ships from different countries. We will see the location of the former customs office. You will hear about Kaunas Street residents – their crafts, customs, traditions, culinary heritage in the Synagogue Square. You will hear what the old inhabitants of this street have told.
PROGRAM:
- Muitinės street – Bridge over Mituva;
- Nemuno street – Former port. Goat Island;
- Kauno street – Residential houses;
- Synagogue square;
Cellars – Kauno and Vytauto D. street.
Tour duration: 2 hours. Group – up to 15 people.
Guide Nijolė Paulikienė, phone: 8 698 40785.
For more information, please email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt or call: 8 447 51485.
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„Cultural, economic influence of German, Italian, Hungarian, Russian, Jewish, Polish and other nations in Lithuanian Panemunė towns.“
While visiting the towns of Jurbarkas district near the Nemunas, you will not only hear but also see the difference in architecture of residential houses and cult buildings. You will find out why the customs, behavior, language, clothing of the locals have changed. How much influence did Nemunas have on this. You will see manor parks, gardens. The trip will take place on the beautiful, picturesque banks of the Nemunas. You will be able to taste the Hungarian goulash or roast the gobies on the wicker. You’ll find out which herring was sweeter and learn how to make horseradish sauce.
PROGRAM:
- Seredžius;
- Veliuona – Manor, Town Square;
- Raudonė Castle, park;
- Panemunė Castle, park, former monastery;
- Šilinė – Former inn;
- Jurbarkas – Synagogue Square, manor, park;
- Smalininkai – Harbor, water measuring station, museum of antique equipment;
You can dine at Panemunė Castle restaurant, in Jurbarkas or at the bonfire. Agreement must be made in advance.
The length of the route is 60 km. The duration of the tour is 7-8 hours.
Guide Nijolė Paulikienė, phone: 8 698 40785.
For more information, please email: turizmas@jurbarkas.lt or call: 8 447 51485.
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EDUCATION “THE SECRETS OF KOSHER FOOD”
During the event you will taste traditional Jewish cuisine of Jurbarkas region.
There will be both “cold” and “hot” dishes. There will be both usual and unexpected combinations.
You’ll learn the taste of gefilte fiš, snack on fresh challah, try imberlach and more.
You will “go” to the market to buy the right products. You will learn what “kosher” food preparation is.
During the education there will be live performances of songs and chants in Hebrew, Yiddish.
You will feel like you are at a real feast.
Education will be for groups of 10-25 people.
Duration 1,5 hours.
Location Jurbarkas.
Discounts available for children’s groups.
Bookings must be made at least 3 working days in advance.
For education, please contact:
Gidė Nijolė Paulikienė.
Phone. +370 698 40785, e-mail. niolepaul@gmail.com.