Veisiejai between lakes and regional park

Veisiejai lies between Lakes Ančia and Veisiejai and is situated in Veisiejai Regional Park. Waterside scenery, a dendrologically valuable park, architecture and local collections each offer a distinct perspective. If you are considering Veisiejai as a destination for a stay, you can weigh up whether you are most interested in the wider landscape, the town’s history or a particular activity.

Lakes and natural heritage

The regional park includes 37 lakes. With an area of 490.8 ha, Lake Ančia is the park’s largest lake. Veisiejai is therefore part of a clearly defined lake landscape, while the number of lakes describes the wider park area. Veisiejai is also home to Veisiejai Manor Park. The dendrologically valuable grounds cover 9.53 ha and were designated a state-protected natural heritage site in 2007.

A distinctive feature of the manor park is its circle of 21 lime trees. The trees were planted in the second half of the 18th century. The park thus combines its dendrological importance with a historically well-dated collection of trees. Those wishing to explore natural heritage and local history together will find a concrete point of interest here.

Architecture and local history

The stone Church of St. George was built in 1817 and is a listed architectural monument. Its architectural distinction lies in its unique combination of Baroque and Classicist forms, unparalleled in Lithuania. This combination gives the church its own character: understanding the building requires considering not only its age, but also the interplay of the two styles.

The Veisiejų krašto muziejus museum is dedicated to several chapters of local and cultural history. It presents material about Liudvikas Lazaris Zamenhof, the ophthalmologist and creator of the international language Esperanto. Zamenhof came to Veisiejai in 1885 and completed the development of the Esperanto language there. Other museum subjects include the organist and composer Juozas Neimontas and the poet Sigitas Geda. Exhibits also cover the history of the school in Veisiejai, the deportation of people from the region and other local historical topics. The collection thus spans language and music, education and the difficult experiences of regional history.

The Albino Jarmala Calendar Museum offers a different thematic focus. Its more than 4,000 exhibits include calendars from countries around the world. If you would like to visit this collection, arrange your visit in advance by phone.

Routes and activities

There are ten tourist routes in Veisiejai Regional Park. They run along the shore of the park’s largest lake, Ančia, through the hilly Šlavantų kraštas, around Kapčiamiestis and in the Petroškai forest. These routes therefore take in several of the park’s landscapes; they should be distinguished from the individual activity that passes through Veisiejai.

The “Stebuklingų ančių” (Magical Ducks) activity route is 3.7 km long and runs through Veisiejai. It features six symbolic ducks. The guided programme of the same name introduces the history of Veisiejai, its cultural and natural heritage, and the work of writers who live there, through play. Participants hear a legend and search for six ducks hidden around the town. The programme starts at Dariaus ir Girėno g. 6; advance registration by phone at +370 612 33044 is required. Please check the registration details again before your visit. If current route conditions matter to your plans, check the route details before setting out as well.

The indoor exhibition “Gyvenimas tarp vandenų” (Life Among the Waters) is on display at the regional park visitor centre. Together with the museum themes and the different routes, it offers a choice between landscapes, local history and activities presented in a playful way. When planning your trip, you can first decide which of these aspects of Veisiejai is most appealing for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Meteliai, Bertasiunai, Kapčiamiestis, Krosna.

Go to the main travel overview: Lazdijai District Municipality.