Location: Žemaičių Highlands Map
Area: 217 km²
Žemaitija National Park covers an area of 217 km² intended to
protect natural habitats and many species of birds that live here.
The park contains trails for hiking and bicycles. Additionally
Plateliai lake is popular for its sailing, diving and fishing.
National park contains 12 natural monuments, a visitor centre and 10
museums. If you want to stay overnight you can use many of its
lodges or camp out in the forest. Keep in mind that over 10% of the
Žemaitija National Park is closed to the public in interest of
saving traditionally nesting ground for wetland birds. This includes
Rukunzhdzhsky and Plokshtinsky reserves. In the spring and summer
months it is also forbidden to visit the wetlands. Žemaitija
National Park also contains 30 archaeological sites such as mounds,
burial grounds, sacrificial hills and many more. If you get a chance
and find something keep in mind that it is illegal to remove any
ancient object from the park. The territory of the park also
contains numerous crosses, small chapels and other Christian
monuments scattered all around the park.
Former Soviet nuclear base that once housed R-12U nuclear missiles
is abandoned today. Most of interior was stripped of all electrical
wiring long time ago and many of the entrance were closed by
concrete. You can get inside and take a peek yourself at one of many
Soviet military outposts along the Western border.
Natural values
The hilly terrain of Žemaitija Park was formed by a
melting glacier about 12,000 years ago. The resulting hills are
relatively high, around 150-190 meters. Lakes occupy more than 7
percent. the territory of the park, the largest Lake Plateliai in
Žemaitija is located here, the sight of which cannot be separated
without the islands of Lake Plateliai. In addition to it, there are 25
smaller lakes.
Forests occupy about 45% of the park. all
territories. Particularly valuable for science are the forested wetlands
of Ploštinės and Rukundės, Plateliai lake, Laumalenko and Šilinė
hydrographic complexes, Gardės oza, Babrunga and Mergupis river valleys,
Paburgė, Siberia, Pakastuva, Užpelkiai, Erteni and Paparčiai swamps,
unique and interesting forests of Paplateli, Seire and Pailgis and
Ecosystems, rare plants and animals of Juodupis marshy meadows. Rare
salmon fish breed in Plateliai lake - seliava and Plateliai syka.
A Witch's ash grows 7.2 m in circumference, 2.1 m in diameter and 34
m in height. Next to the park, in the village of Puokės lies the largest
boulder in Lithuania - the Barstyčiai stone. Wolves live and breed, and
lynx live there all the time. 9 species of bats fly at night.
Cultural heritage
The complex archaeological complex of Northern
Žemaitija with Mikytė, Šarnelė, Pūčkiori, Gegrėnai, Ž is preserved in
the park and is very interesting for visitors. Kalvarijos and other
hillforts (11 in total) and alkahills, the old Platelia manor and Pilies
salos castle. Between Šventorkalnis and Pilies sala lake, the remains of
the ancient wooden bridge of Platelia can still be seen in the water.
The mounds are concentrated in the north-western part of the park and
often form a single complex with limestone mounds.
The well-known
town of Žemaičiai Kalvarija (Gardų) with a church and chapels of the Way
of the Cross, old traditions of the Great Calvary Indulgences. The Park
of Plateliai Manor and part of the buildings have survived in the town
of Plateliai. Noteworthy 18th century. the wooden churches of Beržor and
Plateliai, the birthplace of the poet V. Mačernis in Šarnelė, the
villages of Stirbaičiai and Visvainiai, which have preserved signs of
ethno-cultural value. A number of museums - history, ethnography, nature
and Mardi Gras expositions are open in the barn and stables of the
Plateliai manor, and the craft center will soon open. There are also
other museums: wood craftsmen in Godelii, literary museums in Bukante
manor and Žemaičių Kalvarija, art gallery in Babrungėnai. A number of
traditional Žemaitian homesteads have survived in the park - they are
located in Beržor, Godelii, Šarnelė, Žemaičių Kalvarija.
The park
has a unique exposition of militarism in the Cold War Museum established
in the former Ploštynė missile base. Tourists accompanied by park
employees can visit the underground labyrinths, explore the 27 m deep
rocket shaft. Read more about the Cold War Museum here Archived
2012-11-11 from the Wayback Machine project.
Leisure and
entertainment
Žemaitija NP has a wide selection of various
activities. There are good conditions for fishing and walking along
educational trails. Plateliai lake is suitable for sailing, where the
Plateliai yacht club organizes the Plateliai regatta and other events
every year, and boats can be rented here. 3 routes have been prepared
for cyclists, bicycles can be rented in Platelei.
A bicycle path
leads around Lake Platelia. To the north, very close to Platelia, the
4.1 km long Šeire nature trail introduces you to unique natural values.
Lake Plateliai attracts a lot of vacationers. There are 9 campsites near
Plateliai, Luoka, Skyplaičiai, and Ilgis lakes. There is an observation
deck near Plateliai lake, beautiful panoramas open from Jazminai and
Medsėdžia mountains, Mikyty Alkakalnis, Žemaičiai Kalvarija hills. There
is a bird watching tower near Pakastuvas lake.
Every year,
thousands of people are attracted to the indulgences of Žemaičiai
Kalvarija. In the park, Halloween and St. John's Day are celebrated, a
swimming marathon is held across Lake Plateliai, and the Plateliai
regatta is held on the last weekend of July.