Panevėžio rajono savivaldybė: Nature, Art and Crafts

Panevėžio rajono savivaldybė offers different ways to explore nature, art and traditional crafts. When choosing a hotel, it may help to first consider which themes you want to shape your stay: the landscape along the Nevėžis, historic buildings or hands-on activities. The places below each have their own focus, offering guidance as you plan your trip.

Art and Cultural Heritage

The “Mėnulio akmens” Sculpture Park is an exhibition of contemporary art and also an open-air museum. Its outdoor setting is as much a part of the place as its modern art. Those interested in public art will find a different focus here than in the municipality’s historic buildings.

The Flax Museum is housed in the Stultiškiai windmill. The mill was built in 1880, restored in 1994 and adapted for tourism. These dates mark two distinct stages: the building’s original construction and its later restoration and use for tourism. Bistrampolis Manor, meanwhile, has existed since the late 15th century and is considered a cultural heritage site. Here, the focus is on the manor’s long history.

Nature in Krekenava Regional Park

Founded in 1992, Krekenava Regional Park extends along both sides of the Nevėžis Valley. It preserves the river’s ancient valley, with numerous tributaries and remnants of former river channels. The river itself, its tributaries and older watercourses are therefore all distinctive features of the landscape.

The “Pojūčių takas” runs beside the regional park’s observation tower. The sensory trail features challenges, creative elements and nature experiences. If you prefer a guided hike, guided walks can be booked in the regional park. These are different ways to explore the park; booking is part of planning a guided walk.

European bison, listed in the international Red Book, can be observed at the Pašiliai Bison Enclosure. Since both the bison population and access conditions may change, check the conditions before planning a wildlife-watching visit.

Crafts and Hands-On Activities

At the Flax Museum, you can try a 19th-century flax-processing method as part of an educational programme. Booking is required to take part. This makes the museum a special destination for travellers interested not only in the history of flax but also in how it was processed.

The Traditional Crafts Centre in Upytė offers exhibitions on crafts and folk art, as well as educational programmes. You can learn ceramics, spinning and weaving there. You can also learn to press linseed oil and prepare various dishes. Activities at the centre require prior arrangement. The practical difference is clear: the Flax Museum requires a booking, while visits to the activities in Upytė should be arranged in advance.

In the wider destination of Panevėžys District

In the wider destination of Panevėžys District, the Įstros Aviation Museum adds aviation history to the selection. It has indoor and outdoor exhibitions; its exhibits include pilot equipment and other items of equipment used during the First and Second World Wars. The museum is Lithuania’s only open-air museum of aircraft replicas and is open in all weather and throughout the year.

A specific route through the landscape in Krekenava Regional Park is the 1.6 km educational trail in the Nevėžis Valley. It runs alongside a horseshoe-shaped former river channel, with an observation platform nearby. From Panevėžys, festive or educational train rides on the Aukštaitija narrow-gauge railway are also available; they start at the city railway station. If you plan such a ride, check the timetable in advance.

Discover more destinations: Daukniūnai, Gegužinė, Panevėžio seniūnija, Barklainiai I, Upytė, Molainiai, Piniava, Bernatoniai, Vynupė, Žibartoniai.

Back to the wider travel overview: Panevėžys District.