Žemaitija National Park

Žemaitija National Park

 

 

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.