Naujamiestis: Church, Memorial Sites and Culinary Heritage

Different interests may shape a stay in Naujamiestis: the history of the present-day church, the memorial space for Kunigas Kazimieras Kuzmickas, the Karaim cemetery in the nearby village of Kalnelis, or the culinary activities of Švenčių kalvė. These themes differ considerably: the church and memorial space represent local history and remembrance, Kalnelis broadens the perspective with the graves of literary figures, and Švenčių kalvė combines visits with culinary heritage foods. If you are looking for a hotel in Naujamiestis, distinguishing between these options can help you decide in advance what to focus on during your stay. Visits to Švenčių kalvė are by prior arrangement; factor this into your plans early.

Church: Construction and Reconstruction

The present-day Church of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in Naujamiestis is the town’s fourth church. It was built from 1899 to 1908 to a design by engineer Florijonas Vyganovskis. After the fire on August 16, 2007, the church was fully rebuilt in 2013. These dates mark two historical milestones: its construction from 1899 to 1908 and its complete reconstruction in 2013 after the fire. Those interested in religious architectural history can understand the site through a specific design and two clearly distinct periods.

Memorial Space in Naujamiestis

The memorial space for Kunigas Kazimieras Kuzmickas is located at S. Nėries g. 14 in Naujamiestis. Its name and address give this destination a clear personal connection: unlike the church, the focus here is not architectural history but the memory of a named individual. The memorial space also differs from the Karaim cemetery in Kalnelis, where the graves of two literary figures are located. If you would like to visit this place in person, check in advance whether visits are possible.

Karaim Cemetery in the Surrounding Area

The Karaim cemetery is located in the nearby village of Kalnelis, close to Naujamiestis. It is the burial place of the poet Šelumielis Lopato (1904–1923) and the writer and translator Jokūbas Maleckas (1889–1952). Their work offers different literary connections: Lopato is associated with poetry, while Maleckas is associated with writing and translation. The lifespans of both individuals overlapped from 1904 to 1923; the graves therefore represent two literary biographies that intersect in time. Check in advance whether visits are possible if you plan to visit the cemetery in person.

Švenčių kalvė: Culinary Heritage

Švenčių kalvė in Naujamiestis offers educational programs, tastings and tourist routes featuring culinary heritage foods. This adds a culinary focus to the town’s architectural and memorial history. Visits are by prior arrangement. Arrange your visit in advance and check availability before making it a firm part of your stay. Since educational programs, tastings and routes are different formats, you can ask specifically which format is planned for your visit when making arrangements.

The geographical distinction also matters when planning: the church and memorial space are in Naujamiestis, while the cemetery is in nearby Kalnelis. For Švenčių kalvė, the additional planning step is to make arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Šilagalys, Kazliškio Seniūnija, Puožas, Biržai, Naciūnai, Rokiškis, Kupiškis, Kučiai

For the broader travel overview: Panevėžys County.